Program Assistant, Visitor Services, Forest History Center

JOB TITLE: Program Assistant, Visitor Service, Forest History Center

OPEN TO: This job is open to current Forest History Center staff.

LOCATION: Forest History Center, 2609 County Road 76, Grand Rapids, MN 55744

COMPENSATION: Typical starting range $23.22 - $25.01 hourly

STATUS & HOURS: This is a full-time, regular position of approximately 1,520 annual hours. A typical schedule is 9 AM - 4 PM during the summer months and 9 AM-3 PM in the off-season, based on site needs. 

BENEFITS:  Eligible to participate in State Employee Group Insurance Program and a retirement program with employer contribution.  Generous vacation and sick time accruals with additional paid holidays.

DESIGNATION: Bargaining Unit AFSCME Local 3173 

POSTING DATE: April 23, 2026

DEADLINE DATE: April 30, 2026

DESCRIPTION:  This position exists to oversee the day-to-day operations of the admissions, retail, and facility rental programs, provide work direction and guidance for assigned staff, and function as the evening and weekend backup for the Forest History Center.

SUMMARY OF WORK:  1) Lead daily visitor services operations; 2) Oversee the Forest History Center’s retail operations; 3) Assist in K-12 & Daily Programs; and 4) Facilitate site rentals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent. 

• Two years of experience in a retail, sales, or event planning environment. 

• Demonstrated positive customer service skills

• Experience with ticketing and Point of Sale (POS) software and a willingness to troubleshoot when issues arise. 

• Demonstrated ability to communicate verbally and in writing with diverse staff and the public in a positive, friendly, and professional manner. 

• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse audiences of varying cultural backgrounds, ages, and abilities in an education or customer service environment. 

• Demonstrated ability to think imaginatively and problem solve. 

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. 

• Demonstrated ability to multitask, work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines, prioritize, and adapt to changing priorities. 

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take individual initiative while also being able to collaborate effectively and contribute positively in a team environment. 

• Strong computer skills necessary to develop quality project and program documentation.

●    Basic math skills to run sales transactions efficiently. 

• Must be able to work nonstandard hours, including evenings and weekends. 

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time. 

• Ability to bend, crouch, kneel, reach, push, and pull. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with financial and admission reporting. 

• Strong personal computer skills, including intermediate or higher skill level with Microsoft Office and Google Suite software. 

• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team while independently carrying out institutional objectives.

Should you have questions with the application process, email humanresources@mnhs.org or call MNHS Job Line at 651-259-3181.   

At MNHS, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on diversity for the benefit of our employees, our products and services, and our community. The Minnesota Historical Society believes that an inclusive culture among our team members is critical to our success as a historical society and museum, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. The Minnesota Historical Society is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and employer.