Destination Specialist, Welcome Center/Retail

Destination Specialist, Welcome Center/Retail
Reports to: Sr. Visitor Experience Manager
Status: Part Time, 7-hour shift, < 30hrs a week
Compensation $16 an hour
Hours of Operation: 10:45am-6:00pm
FSLA: Non-Exempt
Location: Downtown and/or Easton

Experience Columbus Overview
Experience Columbus is the destination marketing organization for the city of Columbus, which is the 15th largest city in the United States and one of the fastest growing cities in the Midwest. Our team is comprised of passionate, smart staff members who are proud to amplify the Columbus community and the amazing people, developments and businesses in our city. Just like the community we serve, Experience Columbus team members are open-minded, hard-working, and welcoming. Beyond our forward-thinking professional development and flexible policies, we’re proud to be a progressive, vibrant, and uplifting workplace.

Every day, the team strives to live out each of the organization’s core values: Value the Voices, Take It On, Live Your Passion, Create Moments, and Think Forward. We incorporate these into daily responsibilities and meetings, and they’re crucial to our organization’s interactions with partners and community members — we honor our past and are always looking to the future.


Job Overview:
Provide visitors and clients with an extraordinary impression of Experience Columbus and the Columbus destination.  As a Destination Specialist staff member at our Welcome Centers, you will have the responsibility to handle retail sales in addition to providing visitor information and generating visitor survey completions.  You also will have the opportunity to work additional shifts periodically when needs arise at conventions, meetings, and sporting events.


The Destinations Specialist Welcome Center/Retail is responsible for:

• Staff the Experience Columbus Welcome Center
• Greet visitors with energy and a cheerful disposition while responding to questions, anticipating needs and maintaining a general knowledge of the Columbus area and its assets
• Suggest locally crafted items to visitors looking for souvenirs and gifts
• Maintain order and general knowledge of retail items available, requested items and communicate that to Destination Specialist Leads
• Assist with the setup, breakdown, and operation of Welcome Center activations, displays, and special events.
• Staff information tables, booths, welcome centers, registration tables, and other visitor-facing locations as needed.
• Respond professionally to difficult or unexpected visitor interactions and follow established safety and escalation procedures when necessary.
• Maintain a strong understanding of Experience Columbus’ Experiential Trails and Passes and actively promote these free programs based on visitors’ interests.

Job Specific Competencies:

• Abundant and continuing knowledge of Greater Columbus, its attractions, events, and activities, etc.
• Basic computer, tablet and mobile phone skills (i.e. webpage/app navigation and search engines)
• Excellent customer service skills, in person and on the phone
• Training on the POS system
• Adherence to Experience Columbus policies on professionalism for which training will be provided
• Minimum age is 18
• Previous Retail Associate and/or Welcome Center experience is a plus

Experience Columbus Competencies

• Demonstrates strong written and verbal communications skills
• Demonstrates flexibility and openness to new ideas, and different perspectives
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently but also can be a collaborative team member
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Familiar with and advocate for the Columbus region
• Demonstrates a commitment to our company values: Value the Voices, Think Forward, Take it On, Create Moments and Live your Passion
• The organization requires all employees to obtain and maintain the Experience Columbus Insider (ECI) accreditation
  

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Viewing computer monitors 
• Frequent talking and/or listening 
• Remain standing and actively engage when visitors are in space.
• General “office load,” i.e. laptop  
• Ability to lift 35lbs with or without assistance

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Experience Columbus reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of Experience Columbus or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all inclusive.  

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Experience Columbus and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Experience Columbus is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability, or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Experience Columbus Careers website because of your disability. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodations on a case-by-case basis. If you need accommodation or assistance in using the Experience Columbus Careers website, please call 614-221-6623.