Visitor Services Program Coordinator

Requirements

• BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
• This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State

Benefits

Additional Information

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants . Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants . POSITION SPECIFICS Shaver's Creek Environmental Center within Penn State Outreach is looking for an organized, energetic, dedicated, and responsible individual to fill the role of our Visitor Services Program Coordinator. This position is the front-line staff for our visitor center, Weidemann bookstore and gift shop, and Litzinger Herpetarium, and is a primary liaison to our community of members. The Shaver's Creek visitor services program enhances the educational mission of Shaver's Creek for visitors looking to learn more about the natural world. This position is an integral part of those day-to-day operations by performing the following duties: Facilitate the administration of an educational program to ensure program quality and effectiveness Process course/program registrations; identify and recommend efficient workflows Coordinate budget preparation, monitor budgets, analyze data, and initiate payments Coordinate the recruitment and hiring of instructors/presenters Participate in the development of marketing strategies to promote programs; oversee the creation and distribution of marketing materials, advertising, etc. Design layout and format of project-related documents, web content, and materials Make recommendations on changes/additions to both policies and portfolio of offerings based on customer feedback, evaluations, historical data, and systems capabilities Recommend innovative plans for design or quality improvement of unit programs/procedures Assist in developing operational goals, objectives, and standards for unit, programs, projects, etc. Represent unit at internal and external meetings with stakeholders MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School (HS) 2+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted Required Certifications: None The VSPC independently coordinates, develops, and maintains the Weidemann Bookstore and Lobby as a welcoming space for 20,000 yearly drop-in visitors and facilitates a positive, educational program experience. The VSPC has daily interactions in this non-formal setting with the visiting public, answering questions and offering educational information about the natural world and our resident animals. Shaver's Creek is open seven days a week, and the typical work week for this position will be Thursday through Monday to support our vibrant weekend visitation and programming. The VSPC manages bookstore operations by developing the yearly bookstore budget, making sales, updating inventory, managing the online store, placing orders and maintaining vendor relationships, training interns and staff on bookstore processes, coordinating local art consignment, and completing weekly reconciliations. The VSPC also collaborates with our Program Registration Coordinator and other colleagues to manage the Shaver's Creek membership program and assist with seasonal spikes in registration management, including Summer Camp. Other duties include helping with intern hiring, facilitating internal communications, and assisting with program marketing through website updates, community calendars, and email lists. On the phone, through email, and in person the expectation is to provide excellent customer service to our diverse population of visitor center participants, including Penn State students, nature center visitors, program attendees, camp parents, work-study students, volunteers, staff, and interns.