Gallery Host

• Casual position
• Hourly Rates: Normal Working Days (Monday to Saturday) $30.27 per hour; Sunday and Public Holiday rates
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• Audience Engagement Division
• Reports to the Visitor Experience Manager

Overview of the position
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia’s (MCA) vision is to take a leadership role in shaping a creative and equitable Australia that values contemporary art and artists, and we are committed to making contemporary art accessible and inspiring for everyone.
Gallery Hosts are the first point of contact for visitors to the Museum. Their role is to welcome all visitors to the Museum and to ensure the safety of both the artworks and visitors. They provide information on our exhibitions, programs, events, activities and facilities, and offer a cloakroom service (subject to COVID restrictions). Gallery Hosts also provide feedback on visitor responses to visiting the MCA, and report on art and building incidents.
An MCA Gallery Host has a genuine desire to provide excellent customer service. They enhance our visitors’ experience of the MCA by exhibiting professionalism at all times. They use their outstanding interpersonal skills and judgement to support visitors and reinforce gallery guidelines.
Gallery Hosts work collaboratively within a team environment to ensure the organisation’s objectives are met. They share information, expertise and observations to enhance the visitor experience and to support a collegial team dynamic.
The position involves being on your feet for the duration of a shift – moving through allocated gallery spaces in order to safeguard artworks and attend to visitors’ needs and engage in conversation (subject to COVID restrictions). It is a mobile, active role (any access requirements will be considered, in keeping with our commitment to creating equal employment opportunities).

Tasks and responsibilities of the position
Customer service and artwork protection
• Welcome all visitors and guests including checking any COVID safe requirements.
• Inform visitors of current and future exhibitions and education programs.
• Brief visitors on gallery guidelines in a way that is engaging and positive.
• Invigilate the gallery, ensuring security of the artworks while maintaining a warm rapport with visitors.
• Report artwork incidents and building maintenance needs.
• Provide feedback to the MCA on visitors’ experience.
• Support the MCA in delivering high-quality visitor experiences by maintaining outstanding customer service at all times.
• Provide information and informed interpretation of the Museum’s exhibitions, public engagement programs and events.
• Promote MCA memberships and sell memberships and tickets as requested.
• Provide appropriate assistance to visitors with specific needs and access requirements.
• Welcome and brief groups on gallery guidelines when they arrive at the Museum to facilitate a smooth and enjoyable visit.
• Effectively handle visitor and guest complaints, including receiving and recording visitor feedback.
• Cloak items at Front of House (subject to COVID restrictions).
Museum environment
• Ensure a safe, comfortable, and clean environment for all visitors and guests.
• Ensure security and crowd control in public spaces.
• Report maintenance and cleaning issues promptly and conduct regular checks of all public areas.
• Promote safe working practices.
• Follow evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency and assist visitors.
• Maintain well-stocked and tidy supplies of MCA brochures and other relevant collateral.
• Develop solutions to problems with work procedures in consultation with other staff or supervisors as appropriate.
• Ensure that you have sufficient supervision, instruction, and equipment to undertake your work safely.
• Attend training as required.

Key selection criteria
Essential criteria
Applicants must be able to demonstrate they have:
• 2 to 3 years’ proven experience in a customer service role (for example, busy tourist attractions, hotels, catering, retail, airports, etc.)
• well-developed communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to deal effectively and courteously with visitors
• an awareness of cultural sensitivities
• an ability to undertake tasks with limited supervision
• an understanding of security issues with regards to artwork and safety of people and comfortable directing others in emergency situations
• a curiosity about contemporary art (please note that training on exhibitions is provided)
• a commitment to the Museum’s objective of promoting the work of living artists and making contemporary art accessible to broad audiences through the imaginative and creative presentation of exhibitions and programs on contemporary visual culture
• a demonstrated commitment to the MCA’s values
• availability to work Friday evenings and Saturdays as well as other weekday shifts, weekend shifts and late-night shift.
Desirable criteria
It would be good if applicants have:
• previous experience working in a busy gallery/cultural sector or visitor attraction
• a level of comfort with public speaking
• experience working with people from a broad range of cultures
• proficiency in a language other than English
• a First Aid Certificate
• a valid Working with Children Check (please note that this is not a requirement of the role, however, there may be extra shifts available to work within public programs that require this).

Person specification
The MCA is looking for people who work well within a team and have a genuine desire to provide excellent customer service. We have casual shifts available throughout the whole week and the number of hours per week varies depending on our exhibition and events program.
The successful applicants will be available to work various shifts and be flexible with the number of hours based on business needs; be punctual, reliable and have good interpersonal skills. They will be a positive ambassador for the MCA and pride themselves on personal presentation.
They will be required to familiarise themselves with all MCA exhibitions and be happy to support visitors and colleagues to explore ideas and meanings in the art on display (subject to COVID restrictions). They will be respectful, courteous, and cooperative in their dealings with visitors and colleagues. The successful applicant will be self-motivated and be open to change within the organisation.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements
Please note that it is currently a requirement as per the MCA’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, that all employees are fully vaccinated. You will need to provide evidence of your COVID-19 vaccination if you are successful. Please note that full vaccination as per the current NSW Government guidelines means two doses of COVID-19 vaccine for adults, and any future approved vaccination boosters. The MCA continues to review this Policy on a regular basis and may change the vaccination mandate requirements in the future.

Applications
Shortlisting for interviews will be based on applicants meeting the essential criteria listed in the position description.
To learn more about working at the MCA and how to apply for this role please visit our website (https://www.mca.com.au/about-us/work-for-us/).

Working for the MCA
The MCA is committed to equal opportunity and diversity. The MCA promotes a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment, and where individuals are treated with fairness, equality and dignity. Find out more about the MCA.