Guest Services Associate

Job Description:

Guest Services Associate

Description

Job Posting End Date - Applications will no longer be accepted starting

09-06-2025

Job Summary

Starting Salary: $15.00

Who we are: Leu Garden

Since 1961, Harry P. Leu Gardens has inspired a love of nature, historic landscapes, and enriching outdoor experiences. Once the private estate of Harry P. and Mary Jane Leu-renowned plant collectors who developed one of the Southeast’s largest camellia collections-the 50-acre garden was donated to the City of Orlando and is now city-owned and operated. Today, Harry P. Leu Gardens welcomes almost 300,000 visitors annually and features 30 diverse plant collections, educational programs, seasonal events, and exhibits for the public. As a leading public garden and plant repository, it highlights global plant diversity suited to Central Florida’s climate. Visitors explore the Gardens through self-guided tours, interpretive materials, and the Historic Leu House Museum-built in 1888 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The campus includes the museum, extensive plant displays, and a 22,000 sq. ft. Welcome Center and event venue, making it a premier destination for weddings, private events, and horticultural education in Central Florida.

Job Description:

The Guest Services Associates are the first and last impression of the Gardens upon entry inside the Welcome Center. GSAs greet guests, process admissions, answer questions, sell memberships, and support special event entry, ticketing, and crowd control. You’ll ensure a smooth and welcoming visitor experience while helping maintain the daily flow of operations in the Welcome Center and beyond. Your work helps bring the mission of the Gardens to life!
Key Responsibilities:

• • Demonstrates a people first mindset by providing friendly, attentive, proactive, and personalized service to ensure that every guest feels welcomed and valued.
  • Provide accurate information about the Gardens, programs, and daily offerings.
  • Accurately handles cash, credit, and other payment transactions while operating ticketing and point-of-sale systems for admissions, events, and memberships; ensuring all payments are processed and recorded in accordance with established procedures.
  • Support membership sales, renewals, and data entry.
  • Communicates clearly and professionally in person, via telephone, and two-way radio to relay information, assist with general inquires, direct calls or guests to the appropriate staff, coordinate activities and ensure seamless guest and team experiences.
  • Serve as the primary point of guest relations, actively listening to concerns, addressing issues promptly, and applying effective recovery techniques and solutions to ensure positive outcomes and guest satisfaction.
  • Assist with special events, rentals, and seasonal programs as needed.
  • Collaborate with other departments to support a seamless guest experience

Qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a strong customer service mindset.
  • Ability to remain calm, courteous, and solutions-focused in a fast-paced public environment.
  • Technically savvy. Experience with ticketing systems, point-of-sale software, Microsoft Suite,
  smartphones/tablets, or front desk responsibilities is preferred.
  • Ability to work in all weather conditions. Approximately 85% of shift is indoors, approximately 15% of shift is outdoors. The percentages can change at any time depending on the needs of the operation.
  • Team-oriented and dependable, with a flexible and positive attitude.
  • Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is preferred; proficiency in additional languages is a plus

Minimum Qualifications:

High School diploma or equivalent and one (1) year of customer service, front desk, or ticketing experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Must be able to stand for extended periods and lift up to 25 lbs. May also be required to operate a company bicycle as part of assigned duties. Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License and may be required to operate a company golf cart as part of assigned duties. Availability to work weekdays, weekends, holidays, and evenings depending on event needs. Background check and polygraph required.
Compensation & Schedule:
• Starting at $15.00/hour.
• Part-time.
• Can be scheduled up to 30 hours/week (16-24 hours/week is average), depending on operational needs.
• Shifts can vary and may include mornings, afternoon, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

THIS IS A PART_TIME_POSITION WITH NO GUARANTEE OF A CERTAIN NUMBER OF HOURS AND NO BENEFITS. THIS POSITION INVOLVES WORKING ON A TEMP/SEASONAL CONTRACT WHICH CAN BE RENEWED ANNUALLY BASED ON PERFORMANCE AND BUSINESS NEEED.

Important: To be eligible to proceed forward in the application process, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the position description. Please ensure your application provides details of all relevant experience related to the position. If you have questions or need clarification concerning the position or application process, please contact Human Resources at jobs@orlando.gov or 407.246.2062.

If this posting indicates a degree is required, the following experience will apply in lieu of any degree as follows:

• Two (2) years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• Four (4) years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree;
• Six (6) years of direct experience for a master's degree; or
• Nine (9) years of direct experience for a doctoral degree.

Salary:

USD 15.00 per hour