Visitor Services Manager, Bartram’s Garden

Posted by Bartram’s Garden on September 12, 2023

The Visitor Services Manager is a key member of the Bartram’s Garden team of change-makers working to position this 50-acre Southwest Philadelphia asset as a dynamic civic common and river garden. Reporting to the Director of Public Programs, the Visitors Services Manager serves the mission of Bartram’s Garden by engaging in site-wide planning and execution of logistics for a diverse array of activities that range from small to large-scale.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitate a dynamic site usage calendar by leading the Visitor Services team as they support events, complete routine custodial duties, operate the Welcome Center, and patrol the site. Direct reports include:
  • Custodial and Event Support Assistant (fulltime, year-round)
  • Safety Coordinator (fulltime, year-round)
  • Welcome Center Coordinator (fulltime, year-round)
• Support the Custodial and Event Support Assistant in oversight of all event set-up, teardown and support functions as well as a daily schedule of sitewide janitorial services.
• Support the Safety Coordinator in oversight of the patrol of the 50-acre park and the maintenance of a safe and welcoming environment for all staff and visitors.
• Support the Welcome Center Coordinator on oversight of the delivery of high-quality reliable visitor services, cultivation of mutually beneficial vendor relationships via the commercial space, and effective communication of up to the minute information to staff and the public from the Welcome Center space.
• Ensure appropriate staffing during all open hours (including evenings, weekends and holidays) establishing and identify and plan for onsite staff support across the Garden
• Communicate staffing schedules to Visitor Services Team in a consistent, transparent, and equitable manner to foster an environment of collaboration, mutual support, and opportunity for work-life balance.
• Share relevant information with the Visitor Services Team and serve as an organizational advocate for the evolving needs of staff in public-facing roles.
• Provide training and support to ensure that all Visitor Services staff are in alignment with organization protocols.
• Support the implementation and execution of events and public programs including all annual site-wide events including Southwest Spring Fest; Juneteenth; Honey Fest; Twilight; Indigenous People’s Day; Harvest Fest; and Handmade Holidays
• Coordinate the rotation of staff assigned to lead onsite daily operations via the Point Person role.
• Schedule outside contractors for parking support as needed.
• Work with the Director of Public Programs to execute effective communication and collaboration across teams, partners, and guests to address all event support needs and to ensure the protection of living collection, facilities, and historic landmark throughout event execution.
• Coordinate with the Director of Horticulture and Facilities and the Director of Public Programs to support emergency and extreme weather responses.
• Communicate with vendors, partners, and employees for onsite logistics; serve as point person for organizational partners as assigned including the Greater Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition.
• Manage the acquisition, organization and inventory of cross-program and event supplies such as temporary lighting, signage, props, seating, furnishings, etc. for all events.
• Serve as an active steward of the Garden at public events, maintaining high standards in protecting sensitive historic buildings and gardens.
• Other duties and projects as necessary, including picking up trash whenever seen and reporting and addressing problems of maintenance, vandalism or inappropriate behaviors.

Full job description and application information.