Seattle Center
CITY OF SEATTLE
Employment Opportunity
Head Usher – McCaw Hall at Seattle Center
SALARY: $17.92/hr. - $20.81/hr.
JOB TYPE: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Part-Time
SHIFT: Variable; Mostly evening and weekend hours, with some daytime hours required
BARGAINING UNIT: Teamsters Local 117
HOW TO APPLY:
www.cityofseattle.gov/jobs, job #2013-00454
APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: May 14, 2013, 4:00 PM Pacific Time
Seattle Center is seeking qualified professionals for the position of Head Usher for McCaw Hall. This position reports to the McCaw Hall Patron Services Manager.
McCaw Hall at Seattle Center, the home of Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera, is a 296,000 square foot state-of-the-art performing arts center that opened in 2003 as a $127 million renovation of the Seattle Opera House. For more information about the Hall, visit our website:
http://www.mccawhall.com/.
DESCRIPTION: The McCaw Hall Head Usher is primarily responsible to lead, supervise and train 40-50 intermittent usher staff. This position takes a lead in responding to front-of-house emergencies and directing staff to provide for the safety and well being of patrons and guests attending McCaw Hall performances and events.
The Head Usher acts as a role model to ensure excellent customer service, works closely with the McCaw Core Team and the house managers for the Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera providing professional service for front-of-house operations. The position works in partnership with the Patron Services Manager to ensure the Hall’s public spaces are safe, presentable and “patron ready” for events; and patron service amenities are adequate, appropriate and functional to provide excellent customer service.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Four (4) plus years experience managing or supervising front-of-house operations and staff at a performing arts, theatrical or public assembly facility.
• Required to work varying shifts/hours, including nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Required to stand, walk and sit at a computer for extended periods of time, climb stairs, move quickly in emergency situations, move easily through crowds, and be able to adapt to/work in low light situations, such as are common in theatre environments.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines, and meet due dates and deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment and adapt to on-going changes.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Event management experience, including working with and supervising paid and/or volunteer staffs of a diverse nature.
• Experience implementing and/or managing a formal program of customer service best practices in a similar environment.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and proficiency in Windows, MS Office, MS Word & Excel.
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with patrons and staffs. Excellent verbal and written communication. skills, including a high degree of sensitivity, tact and diplomacy, and the ability to problem solve under pressure.
• Knowledge of best practices in crowd control management.
• Knowledge of/experience with various computerized ticketing systems, preferably Tessitura.
• Completion of IAVM Academy of Venue Safety & Security program, and/or IAVM Venue Management School.
.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Seattle Center offers a unique opportunity for people seeking jobs that affect the community in exceptional and special ways. We are an urban park of 74 acres hosting hundreds of public events and commercial professional productions each
year. We are home to KeyArena and McCaw Hall, as well as more than 30 cultural, educational, sports and entertainment organizations including the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, EMP, the International Fountain, and a number of
internationally acclaimed theater, ballet and opera companies.
With over 12 million visitors each year, Seattle Center is one of the top tourist attractions in Seattle. The various venues and event types happening on campus reflect the rich diversity of our community. Seattle Center employees directly impact the way people see, understand, and experience the City of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest region. This position offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment performing a critical function that offers complexity, variety, and fun – all while contributing to the legacy of an iconic Seattle community asset.
For more information about Seattle Center, please visit our website at:
www.seattlecenter.comSELECTION PROCESS: Competitive candidates who meet availability requirements will be invited to work tests and interviews. Successful candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment physical and a background check. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all persons offered employment are required to provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States at time of hire.
For questions regarding this position, please contact Kori Albertson 206.615.1874.
The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to diversity in the workplace. The City is a Drug Free Workplace.
