Launch the Legacy: Founding Staff Roles

Step into history as a founding staff member of the Obama Presidential Center’s (OPC) opening team. As a founding staff member, you will not only help launch a global destination but also have the unique opportunity to define the Obama Presidential Center's earliest culture and operational excellence. This is your chance to contribute to a lasting legacy, ensuring the OPC is a powerful tribute to what happens when communities unite to achieve greatness.

The early days of the OPC will be defined by rapid evolution and growth. While the mission is clear, many of the day-to-day procedures and workflows will need to be tested and adjusted. This demands that you embrace ambiguity and step up with a high degree of ownership and self-direction. For those energized by the chance to build and ultimately define best practices, this challenge is the greatest reward.

Purpose of the Role

Provide a welcoming and inclusive environment to all visitors of the Obama Presidential Center. This role may support various points of engagement for guests, including but not limited to campus tours and facilitating museum exhibit experiences. This position serves as a primary point of contact for guests and external stakeholders in visiting the Obama Presidential Center, a critical component in delivering an inclusive experience at the Center.

As a Visitor Engagement Associate for the Obama Presidential Center, you’ll be reporting directly to the Manager, Visitor Education and Engagement, while also receiving day-to-day instruction and support from the Supervisors, Visitor Education and Engagement. During each shift, the Associate will wear a uniform provided by the Obama Presidential Center.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Provide direct customer engagement for an inclusive and welcoming environment.

• Build and maintain a working knowledge of Obama Presidential Center programming and exhibits to anticipate guest questions and exhibit navigation.

• Work closely with onsite security for a welcoming and safe guest experience, assisting in crowd management and evacuation if necessary during an emergency situation.

• Work collaboratively with Visitor Services and Volunteer Ambassadors to create a positive and engaging experience for visitors.

• Navigate a fast-paced environment, with a schedule that rotates between tours, exhibit narratives, and programming guidance.

• Demonstrate strong customer service with the ability to refer visitors to another staff member if needed.

• Perform other duties under the Visitor Engagement area as assigned.

Key Deliverables / Outcomes

• Maintain a working knowledge of updated exhibit and gallery narratives, translating context for audiences in an inclusive manner.

• Build and maintain a working knowledge of digital assets within Museum exhibits, with the ability to assist visitors should they need support.

• Respond to guest questions or assistance needs as appropriate, emphasizing an inclusive environment.

• Participate in regularly scheduled training for evolving exhibit displays and Museum programming.

• Provide guidance to visitors across campus grounds and buildings, answering general questions as needed.

• Apply specialized knowledge of the role to independently complete routine tasks and resolve issues, with the ability to elevate concerns to supervisors as necessary.

• Demonstrate proficiency in core professional duties, and uses discretion and independent judgment to resolve complex problems.

Required Qualifications

• Interest and/or experience in talking directly with members of the public while providing a welcoming and inclusive experience, regardless of an individual’s background.

• Experience with or willingness to learn local historical context, with the ability to articulate narratives to diverse audiences.

• Flexibility of hours including but not limited to early morning, late night, weekends, and holidays across campus in both indoor and outdoor environments.

• Ability to work out of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.

The pay rate for this role is $24.00/hour.

This is a full-time, in-person role based at the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.

Don’t check off every box in the requirements listed above? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. The Obama Foundation is dedicated to building an inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible workplace that fosters a sense of belonging – so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider submitting an application. You may be just the right candidate for this role or another one of our openings!

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Foundation is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at [email protected] if you require a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.

We are deeply committed to creating an actively anti-racist organization, leveraging our global reach to combat systemic racism and inequity wherever it exists. Read our full statement on anti-racism and equity here.