Visitor Center Coordinator

Salary is just one component of FPUA's excellent total compensation package. As an organization, one of our top priorities is to maintain the health and wellbeing of our employees and their families. To achieve this goal, we offer market leading benefits as summarized under the “Benefits” tab above the Description within this job posting. The salary range shown represents the minimum to midpoint salary for this position. The actual salary offered will depend on qualifications and experience.

The Visitor Services Coordinator ensures smooth Front of House (FOH) operations and delivers exceptional visitor experiences at the Manatee Center. This full-time role oversees volunteers, guest services,, reinforcing consistent messaging and professional standards. The Coordinator sets the tone for guest and volunteer engagement, demonstrating emotional 22.99resilience, positivity, and a mission-focused attitude. This is a highly public-facing position requiring strong interpersonal skills, dependability, and ownership of day-to-day responsibilities that directly impact the Center’s success.

(Note: There are also secondary functions, which the employee will be required to perform.)

- Oversees daily Front-of-House operations to ensure a welcoming, informative, and safe experience for all guests. Serves as the lead staff member on duty and provides visitor services directly when needed.

- Serves as the initial point of contact for guest and volunteer concerns, resolving most issues independently and maintaining a positive, professional tone.

- Enhances visitor experience and reflects the Center’s mission by ensuring value-added programming and seasonal activities are offered regularly.

- Prepares volunteer schedules and ensures adequate daily coverage, including onboarding, training, coaching, and reinforcing expectations for interpretive and customer service standards.

- Serves as a backup docent when needed to ensure the delivery of onsite education programs and to reinforce alignment among education staff, volunteers, and exhibit messaging.

- Completes daily reports, end-of-day reconciliation, and bank deposits, and communicates any discrepancies to the Center Manager and Finance team.

- Ensures the cleanliness and functionality of the exhibit hall, gift shop, and surrounding areas.

- Participates in annual gift shop inventory and contributes to merchandising improvements.

- Active participation in staff and volunteer meetings.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in hospitality, business, nonprofit management, communications, education, environmental science, or a closely related field is required, along with a minimum of three years of experience in customer service, visitor services, volunteer coordination, or other public-facing roles. Experience supporting educational programming or managing guest or volunteer experiences is preferred. General proficiency in Microsoft Office applications is also required.

A comparable combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in place of a formal degree.

Must Possess

Ability to incorporate and employ on a continuous basis: initiate change, creativity, collaboration, pride, and accountability

Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a public-focused mindset.

Sound judgment and ability to support decisions and outcomes.

Enthusiasm about learning environmental topics related to the Indian River Lagoon.

Ability to distinguish between urgent tasks and those that are less time-sensitive.

Ability to prioritize tasks effectively and remains composed under pressure.

Collaboration to support the Manatee Center’s mission and culture.