Seasonal Visitor Services Associate

The Visitor Services Associate (VSA) reports directly to the Manager of Park Operations and helps ensure that the park opens, operates, and closes safely and on time. is responsible for the overall in-park experience for High Line visitors. They ensure visitors have a safe and enjoyable time on the High Line by providing information about the park, its art programs, horticulture, and all other activities, ensuring that all park rules are correctly observed. This hands-on role requires daily outdoor work in all weather conditions and supports all departments within Operations with various tasks. A successful candidate will be a self-motivated team player with strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to detail and excellence in the workplace.

Seasonal employment runs from May to October

Primary Responsibilities

• Execute the High Line’s standard operating procedures for opening and closing the park on a daily basis, dependent on the schedule assigned by the Manager of Park Operations.
• Remain up-to-date on High Line history, visitor information, points of interest, tour offerings, membership levels, events, programs, and all operational changes. 
• Maintain safe park capacity by regularly conducting visitor counts in the designated zone(s) and implementing an exit-only system as needed. 
• Work closely with POpS and NYC Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) to ensure the safety of staff and visitors. 
• Submit daily reports, including a list of completed and outstanding tasks, observations regarding park status, and notable incidents. 
• Participate in snow and ice removal during the winter season. 
• Continually monitor park conditions for safety and communicate concerns to POpS.
• Work alongside Operations personnel from multiple departments to complete various tasks as needed. 
• Actively engage visitors in conversation, advise them on areas of interest, educate them about park rules, and mitigate conflict when appropriate.
• Submit daily reports detailing visitor interactions, completed tasks, and notable incidents.
• Support the High Line’s Volunteer team by coordinating the start of public tours and the operations of the High Line information station.
• Assist with the set up, execution, and breakdown of programs, events, and activities in the park.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

Desired experience of a successful candidate may include the following, but candidates will not be screened exclusively based on meeting these qualifications:

Ideal Experience

• Experience in operations at a public venue or outdoor space 
• Communicate with professionalism, enthusiasm, and patience in all interactions with the High Line’s diverse staff and visitors from around the globe 
• Work independently and as part of a team 
• Demonstrate dependability, initiative, and personal accountability in all aspects of the job
• Maintain composure and resilience even in high-pressure situations 
• Be flexible, good-humored, and ready to address challenges as well as celebrate successes 
• Assimilate information quickly and accept direction
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills 
• Proficient in using both desktop computers and mobile devices 
• Proficient use of Google G-Suite

Abilities (Required)

• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions, travel 10 or more miles by foot over the course of the day and remain in a fixed post for several hours at a time for five days a week 
• Ability to speak languages in addition to English preferred but not required 
• Ability to bend, twist, grasp, crouch, crawl, and/or lift up to 30 lbs at a time 
• Ability to work holidays, weekends, early mornings, and/or evenings as part of a regular schedule

This is a Part-Time, Temporary, non-exempt position. The position will end on October 31st, 2024.

The hourly salary is set at $22/hour.

The role requires you to physically report to the office for your scheduled shift, (located in Manhattan's Meatpacking District in New York City).

Benefits

• Discounts Citi Bike Membership

• Discounts with vendors on the High Line & around the Meatpacking neighborhood
• Free entrance to Whitney Museum
• Paid time off
• Commuter Benefits
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Employee Assistance Program

About Friends of the High Line

The High Line is both a nonprofit organization and a public park on the West Side of Manhattan. We’re devoted to reimagining public spaces to create connected, healthy neighborhoods and cities through our work with communities on and off the High Line.

Built on a historic, elevated rail line, the High Line was always intended to be more than a park. You can walk through the gardens, view art, experience a performance, enjoy food or beverage, or connect with friends and neighbors while enjoying a unique perspective of New York City.

Nearly 100% of our annual budget comes through donations. The High Line is owned by the City of New York, and we operate under a license agreement with NYC Parks.

EEO Statement

The High Line is guided by a series of values through which we make decisions, including hiring. These values include proactively creating access points for all people, regardless of age, sex, color, creed, race, income, country of origin, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

As part of our commitment to living up to these values and advancing equity within our organization and through our work, we are committed to an equitable hiring process. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with a broad range of lived experiences. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.

**If you are an individual with a disability and need accommodation during the application process, please send an email request to hr@thehighline.org. Resumes sent to this email address will not be given any special consideration.