Part-Time Ticketer/Interpreter

Old Sturbridge Village (OSV) is seeking a Part-Time Ticketer/Interpreter for Coggeshall Farm Museum (CFM).  Under the supervision of the Coggeshall Farm Executive Director, the Ticketer/Interpreter will sell admission tickets to individuals and group visitors using the automated ticketing system, Altru. As well as engaging and educating Coggeshall Farm Museum’s wide audience from school groups to front gate visitors, and special programming throughout the year. This position is a part-time, seasonal position, which requires weekday, weekend, and holiday availability.

Set on 48 acres of coastal farmland in Bristol, Rhode Island, Coggeshall Farm recreates the daily experience of tenant farmers on a salt marsh farm in the late 18th century. With a new, innovative partnership with Old Sturbridge Village, Coggeshall will expand and enhance the visitor experience through live interpretation, new programming, historic structures, heirloom plants and gardens, and heritage-breed animals.

Coggeshall Farm Museum is committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. We are passionate about developing and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and accessible working and learning environment for all visitors, staff and CFM community members. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to different ways of understanding and engaging the world around us.

Essential Duties:

• You thrive working with people, and children specifically
• You are interested in history, and sharing it in tangible ways
• You are adaptable, and able to pivot quickly when needed
• Provide the best experience for all visitors
• Provide program and visit-related information to all visitors and prospective visitors both in-person and on the phone. Greet and orient audiences to the Coggeshall Farm Museum. Promote awareness of programming, and visitor resources.
• Maintain proper accounts of currency in the cash drawer.
• Follow established procedures in the handling of cash, negotiables, and related records to safeguard CFM’s finances and ensure against loss.
• Shifts include ticket sales, reconciliation of receipts and cash, and preparation of daily sales reports. Responsible for troubleshooting and problem solving in order to reconcile transactions
• Alert the CFM on duty Manager quickly, effectively and appropriately to individual cases of unfavorable customer service or special needs and respond if necessary, within clearly established guidelines
• Ensure the safety, security, and cleanliness of the work area.  Share responsibility with all staff for the clean and neat appearance of the entire museum.
• Actively participate in a culture of continuous improvement seeking and suggesting ways to better respond to visitor needs
• Availability to work special evening programs.
• Promote and communicate the benefits of Memberships and season passes. Processes membership applications including upgrades.
• Understand and observe all CFM policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Being a team player and providing the best experience for CFM guests

• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences
• 1-3 months customer services or counter sales experience preferred
• Equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrate the ability to multi-task and work in a high paced environment
• Must be reliable, punctual, accountable and professional
• Must have excellent customer service skills, be courteous, efficient and possess a positive attitude
• Must be able to work and support colleagues in a close-knit and group environment.
• Ability and willingness to learn – and stay updated – on CFM operations, projects and programs.
• Ability to maintain a calm exterior presence during periods of high volume, high stress or unusual events
• Basic math and computer skills are required. Demonstrated experience with POS systems  is desired
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google Suite

Through the partnership with OSV, there will be some training opportunities in Sturbridge MA. All candidates will need to pass Background and Criminal Checks.

Old Sturbridge Village is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Old Sturbridge Village to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or membership in the uniformed services.

Applicants who wish to apply should submit their resume and cover letter to Human Resources at jobs@osv.org.

Click Here to Learn More About Volunteer Areas & Opportunities

Coggeshall Farm Museum has two volunteer levels. The first level is a non-costumed volunteer. All volunteers will start as Level 1 volunteers. Level 1 volunteer work does not require a historic costume, but will require the volunteer to wear a CFM shirt (provided) while on site. Level 1 volunteers do not require a time commitment. The next level is a Level 2 volunteer. This is a costumed, interpretation role on the CFM site. In order to reach this level, volunteers must complete 50 hours of volunteer work before being outfitted for the role. They must also commit to a minimum of one day a week and year-round availability.

Volunteer Areas

Agriculture: Coggeshall’s agriculture program encompasses our historic barn and animal program. Volunteers in this group help with things like fence building, mucking, and field maintenance. This can be Level 1 or Level 2 work.

Behind the Scenes: Behind the scenes is almost exclusively Level 1 work. Action items in this area include helping make take-home craft kits for programming, cleaning and maintenance of exhibition areas, costume production under the supervision of OSV’s costume department, and miscellaneous administrative tasks.

 Events: Event Volunteers are mostly Level 1. These are volunteers who assist with many aspects on the day of the event. Tasks include helping guide parking, helping visitors with wayfinding, and ensuring all vendors are organized. Level 2 Event Volunteers assist with interpretive aspects of the event while in costume.

Horticulture (Garden): Garden Volunteers can be Level 1 or Level 2. Volunteers in the garden help with everything from planting and harvesting to weeding and watering.

Interpretive: The heart of Coggeshall’s mission comes back to history through interpretation. Volunteers who wish to interpret will start in one station or area of expertise to learn the history and gain experience while shadowing Coggeshall Staff. Level 2 volunteers who may wish to spend time interpreting the farmhouse once they are costumed will conduct a variety of tasks including activities such as textile work, foodways interpretation, and candle dipping.

Special Project Volunteers: Throughout the year, Coggeshall has Volunteer Days, where we request many hands at once to complete a larger project, such as site clean-up or fence building. Special Project Volunteers might not be able to commit to regular volunteer hours, but want to be notified of these opportunities as they come up through our email list.

Youth Volunteers: Youth Volunteers are our teens 14-18 years old who want to participate on the farm. Volunteers under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.