Employment Opportunity: Visitor Services and Volunteer Coordinator
June 2022
Term: permanent part-time position (30 hours/week)
Salary: $20–$23/hour commensurate with experience, health benefits, and two weeks paid vacation
Deadline: applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until a suitable candidate is found
The Southern Alberta Art Gallery Maansiksikaitsitapiitsinikssin is searching for a friendly and
organized team member for the position of Visitor Services and Volunteer Coordinator. Reporting to
the Operations Manager and collaborating with the Gallery team, the Visitor Services and Volunteer
Coordinator is a critical role serving as the Gallery’s first point of contact with the public, setting the
tone for each guest’s experience. The Visitor Services and Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for
recruiting and managing volunteers, and is entrusted to ensure the Gallery has sufficient volunteers
to meet its needs on an ongoing basis. Additionally, this role serves as the primary coordinator of
the Shop at SAAG, coordinating merchandising, purchasing, and sales in the Shop.
SUMMARY OF DUTIES
RECEPTION
● Greets Gallery visitors and provides professional, friendly service
● Encourages every guest to purchase a membership and articulates the benefits of
membership
● Remains knowledgeable about current and upcoming exhibitions and programs in order to
inform visitors
● Answers or directs inquiries to the appropriate staff member (in person, over the phone, via
email, etc.)
● Registers patrons for programs and processes payments
● Opens and closes the Gallery and The Shop at SAAG
● Works with the Curator to open/close exhibitions
● Oversees security by monitoring visitors and surveillance system, identifies potential issues
promptly to Operations Manager, Executive Director, and/or police, fire, or other authority
PROGRAM REGISTRATION
● Encourages enrolment in Gallery programs (youth and adult)
● Receives and processes registration information
MEMBERSHIP
● Encourages membership to all visitors
● Receives and processes new membership information
● Communicates membership benefits articulately, accurately, and professionally
● Provides membership cards
● Remains proficient in the operations and management of the CRM databases
GIFT SHOP
● Maintains accurate inventory sheets for consignment items and retail inventory
● Performs monthly consignment reports
● Manages inventory including ordering, receiving, pricing, returns, etc.
● Researches suppliers for new and appropriate inventory
● Develops and maintains attractive shop displays, redesigns displays accordingly with every
new exhibition period
● Creates feature artist presentations with associated marketing content 3 times per year
● Collaborates with the Lead Preparator to install feature artists in the Shop at SAAG
● Collaborates with the Public Engagement and Event Coordinator to organize public
programs for the feature artist
● Develops and implements regular promotions (ie. sales, incentives, etc.) with the approval of
the Executive Director
● Performs daily cash out (complete cash out sheet, account for float and track
shortages/overages, and report to Operations Manager)
● Ensures proper procedures adhered to when issuing receipts, operating till, processing
interac/credit card transactions, handling cash, etc.
● Completes bank deposits as required in consultation with Operations Manager
● Conducts twice annual inventory with supporting reports, in July and January
● Facilitates Holiday market and Spring market of craft and artisan goods
● Sells merchandise
● Remains knowledgeable about merchandise and vendors
● Maintains relationships and communicates with consignment artists and suppliers
● Maintains consignment contracts and sales contracts
VOLUNTEER COORDINATION
● Maintains volunteer database
● Recruits volunteers on an ongoing basis for general needs around the gallery
● Prepares seasonal volunteer postings for website and newsletter
● Maintains and grows relationships with Volunteer Lethbridge
● Attends volunteer recruitment fairs
● Conducts orientation training with volunteers and appropriate staff
● Meets with potential volunteers and works with various staff to place volunteers in mutually
beneficial and appropriate positions
● Ensures that all staff members adhere to the Gallery’s Volunteer Orientation process
● Ensures all volunteers provide current Criminal Record Check for non-profits and maintains
records of same
● Oversees recognition of volunteers as appropriate
● Identifies areas for volunteer involvement at the Gallery
● Organizes an annual volunteer recognition event to thank and honour the Gallery’s
volunteers
● Works with Communications Coordinator to announce/express gratitude during Volunteer
Appreciation Week
OTHER
● Trains, supervises and delegates work for any Visitor Services casual staff, and sets
schedules for casual workers in consultation with the Operations Manager
● Provides clerical assistance for Executive Director as required
● Monitors facilities
● Monitors stationery supplies and advises Operations Manager regarding re-stocking/orders
● Keeps kitchen and front entry area clean (load, run, and unload dishwasher; clean counters
etc.)
● Trains casual staff and volunteers as applicable
● Assists with basic preparatory duties or support during installation blocks as required, under
the supervision of the Lead Preparator
● Assists with Gallery events such as the Art Auction, exhibition openings, and public programs
or events as required
The ability to work weekends and evenings is essential to this role. Occasional shifts outside of the
position’s typical work schedule will be required throughout the year for exhibition openings,
fundraisers, and other events, as required.
How to apply:
Please submit a letter of interest outlining your qualifications to applications@saag.ca. Applicants
may supplement this letter with a CV/resume if preferred. Contact information for three professional
references will be required if you are selected for an interview.
The Gallery is committed to continually working towards more equitable systems and practices. We
welcome applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, LGBTQ2S+,
d/Deaf and disabled, and from poor and working-class backgrounds. If you have any questions,
feedback, or require support or accommodations to access this application process, please
contact Su Ying Strang, Executive Director, at 403.327.8770 x 26 or systrang@saag.ca
The Southern Alberta Art Gallery Maansiksikaitsitapiitsinikssin is a leading contemporary public art
gallery in Lethbridge, AB. Over the course of forty years, the Gallery has evolved from a grassroots
initiative to become a significant participant in the national dialogue on contemporary art.
The Gallery is located on Treaty 7 territory. We honour and acknowledge the Siksikaitsitapii, or
Blackfoot Confederacy, who have resided and cared for these lands since time immemorial. We
recognize that these lands are also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III and many other
Indigenous peoples.
