Now Hiring: Visitor Services Coordinator

The Union for Contemporary Art is seeking a dynamic, community-minded individual to join our team as a Visitor Services Coordinator.

This dynamic, public-facing role is designed to be the warm, welcoming heart of The Union for Contemporary Art. Functioning primarily as the leader of the reception desk and visitor experience, this position acts as the direct liaison between The Union and the diverse communities we serve.

As a secondary priority, this role provides critical logistical support for the daily maintenance and operations of The Union’s multi-site campus—including the Blue Lion building, the Shirley Tyree Theater, and surrounding outdoor spaces. The Coordinator ensures that our facilities remain clean, safe, and highly functional while actively cultivating an environment of radical hospitality, inclusivity, and community care

Core Responsibilities

Visitor Service & Hospitality (50%)

Front Desk Operations: Serve as the primary presence at the Blue Lion building's front desk and library. Warmly greet all visitors, artists, youth, and neighbors, managing incoming phone calls and general inquiries with professionalism and enthusiasm.
Mission Advocacy: Act as a lead Mission Ambassador. Maintain a deep, comprehensive understanding of The Union’s history, core programs, exhibition schedule, and community impact to effectively engage and educate guests.
Visitor Intake: Assist with the check-in of Co-op Studio passholders, workshop participants, theater patrons, and children enrolled in youth programs.
Customer Support: Provide assistance with ticket and merchandise sales and navigate visitor needs regarding facility directions and organizational policies.
Data Collection & Tracking: Accurately collect and input visitor attendance, zip codes, and program registration data into Google Sheets/databases to support organizational tracking and grant reporting.

Facilities Coordination & Safety (40%)

Campus Maintenance Tracking: Serve as the internal administrator for the Union Maintenance Request process. Track, log, and organize all building, theater, and grounds requests, ensuring a timely response.
Vendor & Contractor Coordination: Act as the primary on-site point of contact for building contractors and facilities vendors (e.g., HVAC technicians, property management, waste management, security system providers). Coordinate arrival schedules and escort vendors while on campus.
Supplies & Inventory Control: Track, order, and organize janitorial and facility supplies (e.g., paper goods, hand soap, cleaning supplies) to maintain an immaculate, professional public space.
Opening & Closing Procedures: Execute daily secure opening and/or closing protocols for the Blue Lion building, ensuring galleries, studios, and common spaces are safe, secured, and ready for daily operations.
Safety Monitoring: Actively monitor security camera displays at the reception desk during operational hours. Monitor the work of contracted night cleaning crews or routine maintenance workers to ensure safety and cleanliness standards are met.

Community Engagement & General Administrative Support (10%)

Mission Contribution: Actively participate in staff meetings, professional development, and major organizational events that support the holistic mission and collective sustainability of The Union
Tours & Group Visits: Assist in leading introductory building and gallery tours for school groups, community organizations, and visiting guests.
Internal Communication: Keep staff informed of scheduled facilities work, closures, and critical campus operations updates.

Qualifications

Required Education: High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Nonprofit Management, Hospitality, or a related field is a plus.
Professional Experience: 2–3 years of hands-on experience in a public-facing role such as customer service, reception, hospitality, retail, or visitor services.
Operations Exposure: Prior exposure to coordinating basic logistics, tracking schedules, or working with contractors (HVAC, maintenance, cleaning) is highly preferred.
Sector Familiarity: Prior experience working or volunteering within a nonprofit, community center, or neighborhood-focused arts organization is highly desirable.
Commitment to Excellence: A deep personal and professional dedication to high performance, operational refinement, and uplifting The Union's mission, vision, and core values of radical hospitality and community care.
Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Ability to build immediate rapport and interact warmly with a diverse community of artists, neighborhood youth, local leaders, and stakeholders.
Technical Literacy: Proficiency with Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive). Comfort learning or utilizing ticketing/scheduling software and digital security/building monitoring systems.
Multitasking & Organization: Strong organizational skills. Able to manage the continuous activity of a front desk (answering phones, checking in guests) while coordinating behind-the-scenes maintenance requests and vendor schedules.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This position is primarily located in a vibrant, community-centered art space.
Must be able to maintain a consistent, welcoming physical presence at the front desk.
Standard activities include prolonged sitting or standing at the reception counter, walking through multi-level facilities, and light lifting (up to 20–25 lbs) for receiving supply deliveries or rearranging lightweight furniture for events.

Compensation, Benefits & Schedule

Salary: $40,000 starting annual salary.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan.
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and holiday pay.
Schedule: This role requires a consistent schedule that includes Saturdays and evening shifts. Regular evening and weekend availability is required to align with building operating hours, theater performances, and special event coverage.
Physical Demands: Ability to remain stationary (seated or standing) for up to 50% of the workday and move frequently throughout the facility (gallery, theater, and studios).

About The Union for Contemporary Art

The Union for Contemporary Art is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively promote equality, making employment decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs.

To Apply: Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@u-ca.org with the subject line “Visitor Services Coordinator”.