Position Title: Gallery and Event Specialist
Department: Mulvane Art Museum
Advertised Pay: Base $15.17/hour with potential for a higher entry rate commensurate with experience
Campus Location: Washburn University
Application Review: Application review will begin as applications are received and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants can be assured of full consideration if submitted by July 20, 2026.
Position Summary: The Gallery and Event Specialist is responsible for the Museum’s front-line and customer service delivery, ensuring that the museum galleries, artwork, and visitors are safe and that the visitor’s experience is welcoming. The position supervises student workers and recruits, hires, and schedules students to ensure that the Museum is staffed during open hours. In addition, the Gallery and Event Specialist supports the planning, set-up, and oversight of special events and programs, including the Mulvane Art Fair. This position also assists with general administrative tasks that help keep museum operations running smoothly.
This is a part-time, benefits-eligible position.
About Washburn University: Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of just over 7,000 students, a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals.
Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a dynamic faculty, staff, and student body and cultivating a robust learning and working environment and curriculum. We employ more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka and strive to offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, and a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance. Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion, modernization, partnership, achievement, community and transformation. In 2024, Washburn was recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to Great Colleges to Work For® program.
Essential Functions:
• Open and close the museum, ensuring proper safety protocols are followed.
• Observe customer service protocols to ensure a welcoming and engaging experience for visitors; provide information and direction to visitors to the museum and campus.
• Hire, supervise, and train student workers in proper procedures and protocols for gallery safety, greeting, and interacting with visitors, leading tours as needed, answering questions, and providing information about museum programs.
• Collect visitor information and submit reports on attendance and programs.
• Assist with program and event preparation, including the Mulvane Art Fair, exhibit receptions, lectures, films, and other public events.
• Assist with general administrative tasks, including payment processing, data entry, document organization, and responding to public inquiries.
• Performs additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate.
Required Qualifications:
• High School diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• One or more years of customer service, retail, or closely related experience.
• Proven ability to provide effective customer service.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal, communication, organizational, and time management skills.
• Proficient in using Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Experience supervising others.
• Demonstrated general understanding of art history.
Hourly, Part-time, Tues-Sat
Background Check Required