SENIOR VISITOR SERVICES ASSOCIATE – 2026 SEASON

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY
A high-quality visitor experience is central to our Strategic Plan and essential to the organization’s success and mission. Every member of the Visitor Services team is responsible for creating a safe, welcoming, and memorable experience for all visitors and is expected to go above and beyond to support this goal.

Reporting to the Visitor Services Site Manager (VSSM), the Senior Visitor Services Associate (SVSA) serves as the secondary point of contact for the Visitor Services Associates (VSAs) and assumes the role of Acting Site Manager in the absence of the Site Manager with responsibility for the following critical responsibilities:
VISITOR SERVICES PROCEDURES & SITE OPERATIONS
• Serve as the first point of contact for visitors during hours of operation and as the primary on-site leader in the absence of the VSSM
• Be responsible for ticket sales, visitor check-in, and daily admissions operations
• Monitor the site during public hours to ensure safety, smooth operations, and adherence to Greenwood’s standard operating procedures
• Assist with opening set-up and closing clean-up; conduct end-of-day site checks to ensure buildings and gates are secured and the property is left in good order
• Perform light maintenance tasks as needed; confirm operational equipment (e.g., computers, walkie-talkies, golf carts, coffee machines) is functional
• Assist VSSM in Welcome Center and gift shop during breaks, as needed
• Assist with weekend animal care and fountain maintenance; ensure domestic animals are safely secure at the end of each shift
• Answer and respond to telephone and email inquiries, as needed

VISITOR EXPERIENCE & ENGAGEMENT
• Ensure visitors are welcome, oriented, and treated in a hospitable manner by implementing best practices in customer service
• Learn and communicate site history and key talking points to ensure a memorable visitor experience
• Maintain a high level of engagement with visitors by addressing inquiries and providing education about site history, programs, volunteering opportunities, and membership
• Provide garden access to visitors and members
• Upon visitor entry, provide orientation regarding parking, site map, rules of etiquette, and amenities
• Work in conjunction with Visitor Services Volunteers (VSVs) on-site to support the visitor experience

ADMISSIONS, RETAIL & REVENUE OPERATIONS
• Oversee all visitor-facing revenue operations, including admissions, program registrations, memberships, and gift shop sales
• Assist with daily point-of-sale (POS) operations, ensuring accurate cash handling and reconciliation at opening and closing
• Process memberships, apply same-day admission discounts, issue and retrieve guest passes, and fulfill membership benefits
• Assist visitors with gift shop purchases and maintain working knowledge of merchandise and offerings
• Assist with the management of all aspects of Adelaide’s, including ordering, inventory, and restocking refreshments and supplies
• Ensure adequate inventory and proper display of printed visitor materials and signage

STAFF SUPPORT
• Serve as a point of contact for visitor-related concerns in coordination with the VSSM
• Assist with the training and onboarding of new Visitor Services Associates

STAFF & VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP (AS ACTING SITE MANAGER)
• Promote and maintain a safe, positive, and professional working environment; serve as a primary point of contact for staff concerns
• Oversee daily management of VSAs and VSVs, including scheduling, garden assignments, rotations, breaks, and timesheets
• Monitor punctuality, performance, and professional conduct of staff in interactions with visitors and colleagues
• Maintain clear and ongoing communication with VSAs regarding traffic flow, public safety, parking capacity, weather, and other operational updates
• Review Signup Genius weekly to ensure adequate volunteer coverage and secure sufficient weekend support
• Communicate with volunteers regarding schedule changes, early closures, and weather-related concerns
• Report staff- or volunteer-related concerns to the Public Engagement Manager (PEM)

REPORTING & GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
• Track and document key operational information and prepare weekly reports for the PEM
• Act as the first point of contact for operational issues and facility emergencies, escalating concerns as appropriate
• Provide regular updates to the PEM regarding visitor experience, staff performance, and site operations
• Perform other related duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS
• Must attend all paid Visitor Services training sessions, April 14-17; April 24; and April 27, and 30, 2026,
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Must be able to work a schedule that meets the needs of Greenwood Gardens, including additional evening hours for special events based on your availability
• Must be extremely friendly, professional, courteous, and able to work independently
• Previous experience in customer service, or comparable experience, is highly desirable
• Computer skills are a must with proficiency in Windows OS, Microsoft Office, and a basic point-of-sale system
• Must be at least 18 years of age with a valid driver’s license

HOURS AND COMPENSATION
Seasonal part-time: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
May 1 through November 8, 2026
Salary: $19.00 per hour including training
Salary: $21.00 per hour as Acting Site Manager

TO APPLY:
Please send a resume and cover letter to:
Stephanie Murphy, Public Engagement Manager
smurphy@greenwoodgardens.org
NO CALLS, PLEASE

About Us

OVERVIEW
Greenwood Gardens is a treasured public garden, a 28-acre former private estate incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2003 and accessible to the public since 2013. Located in Short Hills, New Jersey, approximately 25 miles west of New York City, Greenwood is an enchanted hideaway, graced by terraced gardens, woodlands, meadows, grottoes, fountains, Arts and Crafts follies, and winding paths. With a mission of connecting people with nature and the arts in a historic garden oasis, we are guided in our work by a goal to achieve increased visitation through continued revitalization of the historic features and landscape, heightened educational and entertaining programs and events, and acceptance by the broader community as a singular haven in which to experience peace, tranquility, and well-being. Since the organization’s inception, capital projects have included the addition of substantial parking capacity; restoration of the historic garden’s core, including two water features; major landscape improvements; and, most recently, the restoration of the Cascade, an iconic seven-tiered water feature. Greenwood’s potential for continued growth heralds exciting opportunities for the public to experience.

Application Instructions

TO APPLY:
Please send a resume and cover letter to:
Stephanie Murphy, Public Engagement Manager
smurphy@greenwoodgardens.org
NO CALLS, PLEASE