Per-Diem Bookseller and/or Guest Services Staff

About the Museum

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art opened its doors in Amherst, Massachusetts 20 years ago with a bold but simple vision: to ensure that picture-book art is celebrated around the world.

We organize exhibitions that encourage the exploration of children’s book art through artistic, cultural, and historical lenses. More than 9,000 original works of art make up our collection, which spans more than 120 years of publishing. Our education programs provide a foundation for arts exploration and literacy, and encourage visitors to look carefully in the galleries, read closely in our Reading Library, and explore materials in the Art Studio. Dozens of artists visit the Museum every year as special guests, connecting directly with their audience. A believer in arts integration, The Carle also offers a broader introduction to the arts through a regular program of performances, music, and film, many of them picture-book themed.

As an institution and as a team of museum professionals, The Carle is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI). We bring these values to our exhibitions, programs, partnerships, and organizational culture. The Carle Bookshop, for example, prioritizes carrying and displaying a diverse selection of books that reflect artists and characters from underrepresented experiences and backgrounds. Through ongoing professional development, we continue to expand our DEAI knowledge and are striving to diversify our team, currently made up of 40 hard-working, art- and book-loving staff members, with additional support from 35 volunteers.

How you will contribute

The bookseller and guest services staff member supports the Museum’s mission of inspiring a love of art and reading through picture books. You welcome guests at the admissions desk, in the galleries, Art Studio and the Reading Library. In the Bookshop, you connect patrons young and old with books, art supplies, and toys from our world-renowned curated collection. You assist customers in person and over the phone, answering questions and processing admissions, membership, and merchandise sales transactions at the cash registers. In addition, you provide gallery security; Art Studio staffing; operate AV equipment for film screenings or events; shelve, arrange, clean and organize products within the store and books in the Reading Library; and assist with shop marketing initiatives, promotions, preorders, book signings and special events.

You are part of a team of staff members in the Bookshop and/or in Guest Services who work in shifts and report to the retail manager and/or the guest services manager.

Specifically, you will

• Demonstrate the highest level of customer service, remaining professional, personable, and engaging to all museum visitors and staff.
• Process cash and point of sale (POS) transactions for tickets, merchandise, and membership enrollment. Compile department deposits and reports, as needed. 

In the Bookshop

• Assist customers both in-person and over the phone by recommending, selecting, and helping locate or obtain merchandise.
• Maintain knowledge of current sales, promotions, and policies regarding payment and exchanges to answer customer questions and process sales transactions, returns, and exchanges.
• Set up and maintain merchandise displays. Price, stock, and restock merchandise. Receive inventory, confirm order quantities, and report discrepancies.
• Assists the retail manager and assistant retail manager with marketing initiatives, shop promotions, preorders, book signing, and special events.
• Occasionally support the ecommerce assistant with customer service and preparing merchandise for shipment.

As part of Guest Services

• Greet guests; explain Museum exhibits, programs, and events to visitors; and assist visitors in navigating the museum. In addition, the guest services staff responds to patron concerns and questions, resolves general complaints from guests and members on site, and answers questions about exhibits and the Museum over the phone; arms and disarms Galleries; opens and closes Reading Library, Auditorium, Front Doors and Café.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces and materials, and interactive spaces; replenish stock of brochures, pencils, and printed materials for visitors; and repopulate book exhibits and reshelve materials as needed.
• As assigned during the day, the guest services staff monitors Galleries to ensure rules are being followed and artwork is protected, attends to Reading Library or Art Studio, operates AV booth and equipment for film screenings or events, or assists education staff and librarian with library or art studio projects.
• Stays abreast of current and upcoming exhibitions, films, educational programs, and marketing campaigns.
• Engage visitors in conversations about art techniques, styles, and formats and offer book referrals and references.

Your background and experience include

The Carle acknowledges that competitive candidates may not meet all the experience requirements 100%. We encourage you to apply if many of these job requirements describe you. The position does not require a background in children’s literature.

• A high school diploma and previous experience working with the public and as part of a team, an interest in children’s literature is preferred. 
• Enjoy working with visitors and can work confidently and calmly in a busy environment. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with team members throughout the museum to provide our guests with a seamless customer experience. 
• Punctual and reliable. 
• Strong cash handling skills and basic math proficiency. 
• Ability to take direction from supervisors and managers. 
• Strong interpersonal skills including diplomacy and empathy; able to resolve conflicts and de-escalate disagreements with guests in person, over the phone, and online in a constructive manner. 
• Cultural competency to collaborate and coordinate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.   
• Ability to work weekends. 
• Ability to safely lift up to 30 pounds unassisted. 

Position and compensation details

• Starting pay is $17.50/hour.
• This is a flexible per-diem position with varying schedules based on Museum needs and employee availability. Weekend availability is required.
• Benefits include earned sick time, a discount in the Bookshop, professional development opportunities including access to The Carle’s education workshops, plus free admission to many cultural institutions throughout New England.

Application timeline and process

Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. To apply, complete our Employment Application. If you need an access accommodation, have a question regarding available accommodations, or if you need this application in an alternative format to successfully submit your candidacy, please contact hr@carlemuseum.org.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.