Role overview

Staff - Union

Job Category
CUPE 2950

Job Profile
CUPE 2950 Hourly - Front Counter 1 (Gr1)

Job Title
Visitor Services Clerk

Department
Administrative Support | Visitor Services | Beaty Biodiversity Museum | Faculty of Science

Compensation Range
$19.43 - $25.90 CAD Hourly

Posting End Date
August 24, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

This position is subject to the satisfactory completion of required background checks

Job End Date
Ongoing

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Description Summary

The Beaty Biodiversity Museum, part of UBC's Beaty Biodiversity Centre, houses over 2.1 million natural history specimens, presents educational programs and exhibits and includes a teaching lab, auditorium, and a museum store. The Beaty Biodiversity Museum is divided into several major collections - Spencer Entomological Collection, Cowan Tetrapod Collection, Fossil Collection, Fish Collection, Marine Invertebrate Collection and the Herbarium which has several collections within itself.

The Visitor Services team is the first point of contact for all visitors to the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, welcoming and orienting visitors to facilities and services.

The Visitor Services Clerk processes admission to the Museum; provides information to Museum visitors; attends to the Museum retail store; assists with the membership program; welcomes and coordinates groups upon arrival for program bookings; responds to general inquiries; maintains awareness of Museum security; assists with events and rentals.

This is a part-time position. The incumbent must be able to commit to a work schedule that includes weekends and holidays regularly, and must be flexible to work occasional evenings and on an on-call basis

Organizational Status
Reports to the Visitor Services Coordinator; interacts with all Museum staff and visitors which include students, staff, faculty, volunteers, invited guests and the general public.

Work Performed

Specific duties include

Greeting visitors to the Museum and processing admission fees, passes and memberships in accordance with an established rate schedule.
Performing retail functions, assisting with duties in the Museum retail store including processing sales and inventory, and creating and maintains attractive displays. Provides input about inventory based on customer comments. Under direction from Visitor Services Coordinator, may place orders for inventory renewal.
Assist in preparing for, and conducting the annual inventory count.
Performing opening and closing cash-out procedures accurately and generating cash reports as requested.
Receives, coordinates and responds to requests for group and tour bookings.
Responding to general inquiries in person, via email, and by phone, redirecting as required.
Welcoming groups for programs and tours, processing payments and coordinating access with the group leader and Museum Interpreters.
Collecting data on admissions, membership, bookings and sales
Assisting with events, including setup and takedown.
Opening and closing the Museum entrances, admission desk, and gift shop, and locking up securely.
Maintaining awareness of Museum security and reporting breaches of security or unusual incidences to appropriate authorities.
Performing simple clerical tasks, such as but not limited to preparing the week’s schedule and sorting mail. May assist with correspondence to customers, partners and suppliers.
Performing other related duties as necessary

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Inability to handle cash accurately would result in inaccurate financial assessments and potential revenue loss. Lack of customer service skills would impact the overall experience of the Museum visitor and negatively impact the Museum’s reputation.

Supervision Received

Works under the direct supervision of the Visitor Services Coordinator. Receives detailed instructions on the assignment of new duties, thereafter only on new or unusual problems. All financial transactions are monitored on a continuing basis.

Supervision Given
None. Works collaboratively with other Visitor Services staff to ensure the efficient operation of the admission desk and retail store.

Minimum Qualifications
High School graduation, plus one year of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Retail and customer service experience required.
Working experience in a large public venue dealing with the general public preferred.
Ability to respond appropriately to inquiries in person, on phone, and in writing, and make appropriate referrals.
Ability to effectively use office and email applications at a basic level. e.g., MS Word, MS Excel, Outlook, etc.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to accurately balance cash and resolve discrepancies.
Ability to accurately process cash/credit card transactions.
Ability to effectively resolve client complaints in a calm, non-confrontational manner, and by exercising sound judgment.
Ability to deal with a diversity of people in a calm, courteous, and effective manner.
Ability to provide quality service to customers in a courteous, patient manner.
Familiarity with UBC general awareness of facilities/services available on campus.
Knowledge of the Beaty Biodiversity Museum preferred.
Must be able to commit to a work schedule that includes weekends regularly. Must be available to work holidays, occasional evenings and on and on-call basis.