Visitor Services Associate

Posted March 28, 2026

Reports to: Gift Shop and Volunteers Manager

Type: Part-Time Seasonal, Hourly

Schedule: 16-24 hours/week | 12:00 Noon to 8:30pm, Wednesday through Sunday April 15 - September 7, 11:00 am to 7:30pm, Wednesday through Sunday September 10 - October 18 | Flexibility Required for Events | April through October

Compensation: $21.30/hour

The Center for Wooden Boats (CWB) is a national leader in hands-on maritime education, providing a gathering place where visitors can experience maritime history and small craft heritage directly through sailing classes, maritime skills workshops, field trips, boat rentals, public programs, and community events.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

The Visitor Services Associate (VSA) is a highly visible, public-facing role responsible for creating a welcoming, informative, and well-managed visitor experience at CWB’s South Lake Union campus. This position serves as the primary point of contact for visitors, program participants, callers, and volunteers, while supporting retail operations, administrative needs, and daily facility readiness. The VSA plays a key role in upholding CWB’s mission, ensuring smooth front desk operations, and maintaining a safe, clean, and engaging environment for the public.

Specific Job Functions

Front Desk & Visitor Engagement - 40%

  • Greet visitors warmly and provide accurate, engaging information about CWB programs, events, history, and facilities.

  • Serve as the first point of contact for the organization, modeling professionalism and hospitality.

  • Respond to visitor inquiries in person, by phone, and via email.

  • Assist visitors with wayfinding, scheduling questions, and general campus orientation.

Retail, Programs & Transactions - 20%

  • Process sales of merchandise, memberships, classes, and programs using point-of-sale systems.

  • Facilitate returns, exchanges, registrations, rescheduling, and cancellations.

  • Answer detailed questions related to youth and adult programs and registration policies.

  • Assist with booking moorage in Lake Union Park.

Facility Readiness, Cleanliness & Safety - 20%

  • Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming visitor environment, including the front desk, gift shop, bathrooms, kitchen, and gallery spaces.

  • Restock rack cards, magazines, retail merchandise, and visitor supplies as needed.

  • Manage trash, recycling, and general upkeep tasks throughout the campus.

  • Prepare indoor and outdoor facilities for daily operations and private event rentals.

Volunteer & Event Support - 15%

  • Oversee and manage Volunteers when available.

  • Support the Volunteer Manager by training Visitor Services Volunteers on Front Desk procedures and customer service expectations.

  • Assist with event setup, breakdown, and guest flow during public programs and private rentals.

Administrative & Organizational Support - 5%

  • Perform opening and/or closing duties based on scheduled shifts.

  • Support staff and departmental needs as assigned. 

Qualifications and Skills

Required

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

  • Demonstrated success in customer service or public-facing roles.

  • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

  • Reliability, punctuality, and professional accountability.

  • Ability to work independently while also contributing positively to a team.

  • Comfort working in a fast-paced, public-facing environment with frequent interruptions.

  • Ability to make sound decisions quickly and remain calm under pressure.

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn point-of-sale and business management software.

  • Willingness to work a flexible schedule that includes evenings and weekends.

  • Ability to pass a criminal background check at the time of job offer.

Preferred

  • Experience working with volunteers.

  • Experience in museums, cultural organizations, nonprofit settings, or educational environments.

  • Retail sales or cash-handling experience.

  • Familiarity with scheduling systems, registration platforms, or CRM tools.

  • Interest in maritime history, wooden boats, or hands-on education.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This position requires frequent sitting, standing, and movement around the office; lifting 30 pounds; ability to operate phones, computers, and other office equipment; strong command of the English language with the ability to be understood. 

Ability to move supplies, merchandise, and equipment throughout the campus as part of daily operations. 

Generally, performed indoors in a public-facing visitor services environment. Work may involve navigating uneven surfaces and transitioning between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

 

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Center for Wooden Boats is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position. All CWB employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed, to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

To Apply:

Applicants must submit the following to be considered:

1) Statement/Letter of Interest

2) Work Experience/Education Resume

Please email all materials to hiring@cwb.org with “Visitor Services Associate” in the subject line.