Visitor Assistant
What you'd do
This position is located in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), the gateway to the U.S. Capitol and Congress. Our staff welcome visitors from around the world for tours of the historic rooms of the Capitol, educational programs and congressional events. Our goal is to inform, involve and inspire every visitor. This goal is supported by 200 employees across five divisions: Visitor Services, Exhibits and Education, Retail, Communications and Marketing, and Planning, Operations and Evaluation.
Major duties
The operational needs of the Capitol Visitor Center require that as a Visitor Assistant, you will need to work on Saturdays and holidays, and may be expected to work Sundays and/or evenings in support of special events. As a Visitor Assistant you will be required to walk, talk and stand for hours, up to an entire shift, as well as walk up and down steps. In addition, you will be required to lift items which may weigh up to 20 pounds, such as stanchions and boxes. While your work would be primarily indoors, you will need to work outdoors, in a variety of weather conditions, to facilitate visitors entering the buildings or to provide support for special events. Duties include: Tour Support Services Provides visitor assistance services in support of tour operations throughout the Capitol Visitor Center and U.S. Capitol. Assists with virtual tours, tour introductions, and visitor programming. Coordinates visitor groups by providing instructions regarding tour procedures, safety requirements, and visitor conduct expectations. Assists with managing large visitor groups and maintaining orderly visitor flow in high-volume public environments. Collaborates with Visitor Assistants, Guides, and other staff to ensure tours and programs operate efficiently and on schedule. Utilizes hand-held radios and other communication equipment to coordinate staffing needs and operational updates. Greets visitors at tour staging areas and provides information regarding tour schedules, reservations, and program content. Verifies, modifies, and creates tour reservations using automated reservation systems and issues visitor tickets. Assists visitors with reservation changes, late arrivals, and scheduling adjustments. Distributes listening devices, assists with theater loading and unloading, and supports audio-visual operations during programs. Coordinates accessibility accommodations and services for visitors with disabilities. Provides information regarding Capitol history, Congressional history, exhibits, and artifacts throughout the Capitol Visitor Center. Delivers brief interpretive presentations and educational talks regarding Exhibition Hall exhibits and Capitol history. Assists U.S. Capitol Police and supervisors during emergencies, security incidents, or safety-related situations. Reports security concerns, prohibited items, medical emergencies, and operational issues to appropriate personnel. Visitor Orientation Assistance Greets visitors, special guests, and organized groups and provides orientation to the Capitol Visitor Center. Explains facility operations, visitor services, security procedures, and building layout. Answers visitor questions regarding Capitol operations, Congressional offices, meeting locations, exhibits, and visitor services. Provides directions and information regarding transportation, amenities, accessibility services, and special events. Assists visitors with special needs, including individuals with disabilities, international visitors, distinguished guests, Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and photographers. Supports visitor arrivals, entrance operations, coat check services, brochure distribution, and telephone inquiries. Leads orientation walk-throughs of the Capitol Visitor Center. Maintains current knowledge of CVC policies, procedures, exhibits, and operational requirements. Assists with visitor flow activities, including moving stanchions, transporting unoccupied wheelchairs, restocking informational materials, and maintaining public areas. May operate a motorized vehicle to transport visitors requiring accessibility accommodations. Be expected to work Saturdays and holidays, and may be expected to work Sundays and/or evenings in support of special events, due to the operational needs of the Visitor Center.
What you need to qualify
You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at https://www.opm.gov/qualifications. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Candidates for the GS-06 grade level must have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience for this position is defined as having experience: Providing assistance to customers in a retail, hospitality, or museum environment; Answering basic questions that arise from customers' inquiries; and Ensuring the safety of customers, when necessary.
Before you apply
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