Employment

Working at Olana

  • Current Openings

    The Olana Partnership  

    Retail Associate 

     

    Reports to: Director of Retail Operations 

    FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, hourly  

    Schedule: 24 hours/week 

     

    Position Description  

    The Olana Partnership, a private not-for-profit education corporation, works cooperatively with New York State to inspire the public by preserving and interpreting Olana, Frederic Church’s artistic master work. Our collective vision is a fully restored Olana, vibrant with the activity of students, visitors, scholars and artists; and to be the most widely recognized artist’s home and studio in the world.  

    The Olana Museum Store Retail Associate will work closely with The Olana Partnership’s Director of Retail Operations to manage physical inventory including placing, receiving, and tracking of in store and online orders. The Retail Associate will oversee with the Director of Retail Operations sales floor inventory, online inventory, and overall sales floor presentation, stocking of goods, mid and end of year inventories, audit, and physical count to POS reconciliation for accurate record keeping. 

    The Retail Associate will also be responsible for helping to drive online sales growth, creating online inventory, optimizing product listings and creating content for Marketing team to drive traffic to the listings.  

    The Retail Associate will also help with data tracking and analysis of sales reports based upon sales, quantity, category and product placement; other duties as needed including customer service and sales. At point of sale, the Retail Associate will also participate in visitor engagement, welcoming visitors and providing orientation and general information.  

     This is an on-site position and schedule may vary.   

     

    Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

    • Must be flexible with work schedule and have weekend availability. Some holidays may be required. 
    • In collaboration with Director of Retail Operations, oversee store inventory and merchandise display. 
    • Communicate with vendors and place orders to maintain store inventory 
    • Assist in facilitating on-site store popup events  
    • Coordinate artisan consignment inventory receipt and returns 
    • Track data to assist Director of Retail Operations in product management, assessing demand, and inventory turnover 
    • Receive inventory into POS Counterpoint and price merchandise  
    • Support Taste NY inventory (TOP’s selection of local and homegrown food and beverages), via daily set-up and breakdown; assist in providing guidance to Sales Associates regarding current display and Taste NY maintenance, including self-service coffee bar  
    • Daily housekeeping such as dusting shelves, straightening merchandise, daily garbage removal and vacuuming  
    • Assist in quarterly, semi-annual and end of year inventory, monitor physical count reconciliation to POS as well as end of year audit 
    • Work with the Director of Retail Operations to curate and manage product on Shopify for online inventory and work with TOP’s marketing team to Marketing team on social media presence for online store 
    • Oversee online orders, including reconciliation to POS, packaging and shipping 
    • Answer phone and take messages for customer inquiries and orders that require assistance from the Director of Retail Operations
    • Maintain shed and backstock inventory  
    • Other store tasks as needed 

    Qualifications  

    • At least two years of retail experience, including sales, customer service and e-commerce  
    • Excellent customer service skills, including the ability to work with a range of individuals from diverse backgrounds 
    • Computer literacy necessary; experience with Counterpoint, Shopify or other point of sale systems a plus, as well as experience working with Adobe Suite/Photoshop 
    • Valid driver’s license required 
    • Ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment, as well as the ability to work independently 
    • English fluency required; fluency in a second language is a an asset 
    • Must be able to interact with public in a helpful and courteous manner at all times 
    • Professional conduct and appearance required; must be willing to wear a name tag or other element that allows staff to be easily identified by the general public 
    • Display a sociable and welcoming personality 
    • Ability to walk on uneven ground, stand for prolonged periods of time, and lift 50 pounds 

     

    Salary range: $20-$22 per hour 

     

    To apply, submit resume and cover letter to Rachel Tice, Director of Retail Operations, at rtice@olana.org with applicant name and position title in the subject line. 

     

    The Olana Partnership is the not-for-profit cooperative partner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at Olana State Historic Site. 

    As required by NYS OPRHP, all candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening, and all offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. 

    Olana State Historic Site is a tobacco-free environment. 

    The Olana Partnership is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

    ___________________________________________________________

    Seasonal Site Interpreter  

     The Olana Partnership
    Olana State Historic Site
    Hudson, NY 

    Reports to:  Senior Manager of Visitor Services & Engagement 

    FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt, hourly 

    Schedule:  Part-time; approximately 12-18 hours per week, June-October 

            

    Position Description 

    The Olana Partnership (TOP), a private not-for-profit education organization, works cooperatively with New York State to inspire the public by preserving and interpreting Olana, Frederic Church’s artistic master work. Our collective vision is a fully restored Olana, vibrant with the activity of students, visitors, scholars, and artists; and to be the most widely recognized artist’s home and studio in the world. 

    Olana’s Interpreters deliver an engaging educational experience for our visitors by means of public tours of the designed landscape and Olana’s architectural elements, particularly the Main House, in all weather. Interpreters also participate in visitor engagement, welcoming visitors and providing orientation and general information.  Formal training in all aspects of the position, including health and safety procedures, collections safety, customer service and historical content is provided. Interpreters may also be assigned limited clerical duties and asked to support programming and operations as needed. 

    • Commitment must be made for the entire 2023 season, May 23 – October 29, with two days of required paid training in late April, and up to 5 additional paid tour training days before May 20, 2023. 
    • Minimum of two shifts per week required; three shifts per week preferred. Must commit to at least one weekend day (Friday-Sunday) for the duration of the season and be flexible with schedules to help cover additional days with colleagues. Some holidays may be required. 
    • Must be able to work in all types of weather and be comfortable working in outside environments. 

    Required Qualifications

    • English fluency required; fluency in a second language is an asset; 
    • Current driver’s license required, 
    • Display a sociable and welcoming personality; 
    • Ability to work as part of a team and interact with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures; 
    • Desire to expand knowledge and learn in a cooperative environment; 
    • Must be able to interact with the public in a professional and courteous manner at all times; 
    • Professional appearance is required; must be willing to wear a uniform element and name tag that allows Interpreters to be easily identified by the general public. 
    • Ability and willingness to walk 1-2 miles a day, walk on uneven ground, stand for prolonged periods of time, drive an electric vehicle (training provided), stay engaged with audiences on tours, and lift 40 pounds; 
    • Be highly attentive to detail; 
    • Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment; 
    • Must consent to a background check required of all staff and volunteers at Olana. 

     Preferred Qualifications 

    • Bachelor’s Degree (or currently working toward a degree) preferred, 
    •  A documented interest in at least one of the following is encouraged: history, decorative arts, art history, landscape design, environmental history and policy, museum education and interpretation; 
    • CPR certified a plus; 

    Salary Range: $20.00 per hour. 

    To Apply:
    Submit resume and cover letter in PDF format to hreuter@olana.org, with applicant name and position title in the subject line. Applications received by March 31, 2023 will receive priority review. 

    As required by NYS OPRHP, all candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening, and all offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. 

    Olana State Historic Site is a tobacco-free environment. 

    The Olana Partnership is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

    About Olana and The Olana Partnership: Olana is the greatest masterwork of Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900), the preeminent American artist of the mid-19th century and the most important artist’s home, studio, and designed landscape in the United States. Church designed Olana as a holistic environment integrating his advanced ideas about art, architecture, landscape design, and environmental conservation. Olana’s 250-acre artist-designed landscape with five miles of carriage roads and a Persian-inspired house at its summit embraces unrivaled panoramic views of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains and welcomes more than 170,000 visitors annually. The landscape is open for guided touring, and reservations are highly recommended. The landscape is open daily 8 AM-sunset.  

    The Olana Partnership is the not-for-profit cooperative partner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at Olana State Historic Site.

    ___________________________________________________________

    Visitor Services and Engagement Coordinator (Seasonal) 

    The Olana Partnership
    Olana State Historic Site
    Hudson, NY 

    Reports to: Senior Manager of Visitor Services & Engagement 

    FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt, hourly 

    Schedule:  Approximately 18 hours per week 

     

    Position Description 

    The Olana Partnership, a private not-for-profit education organization, works cooperatively with New York State to inspire the public by preserving and interpreting Olana, Frederic Church’s artistic master work. Our collective vision is a fully restored Olana, vibrant with the activity of students, visitors, scholars and artists; and to be the most widely recognized artist’s home and studio in the world. 

    Visitor Services & Engagement Coordinators (VSECs) are the frontline of Olana’s visitor engagement team. Based near the Visitor Center and Visitor Services offices, they are the first staff members that visitors encounter and set the tone for the overall visitor experience. VSECs are responsible for explaining tour and ticketing options and availability, taking reservations by phone, tracking sales and reservations, providing wayfinding and parking information, assisting with traffic management and safety, and providing overall excellent customer service and support. 

    • Commitment must be made for the entire 2023 season, May 23 – October 29, with two to three days of required paid training in late April. 
    • Minimum of two shifts per week required; three shifts per week preferred. Must commit to at least one weekend day (Friday-Sunday) for the duration of the season and be flexible with schedules to help cover additional days with colleagues. Some holidays may be required. 

     

    Qualifications 

    • Excellent customer service skills, including the ability to work with a range of individuals from diverse backgrounds; 
    • Display a sociable and welcoming personality; 
    • Computer literacy a plus; responsible for data entry using Ascent, Counterpoint, and other necessary systems; 
    • Valid driver’s license required; 
    • Ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment, as well as the ability to work independently; 
    • English fluency required; fluency in a second language is an asset; 
    • Must be able to interact with public in a helpful and courteous manner at all times; professional conduct and appearance required; must be willing to wear a name tag or other element that allows staff to be easily identified by the general public; 
    • Ability to walk on uneven ground, stand for prolonged periods of time, and lift 40 pounds; 
    • Willing to learn Interpretive content to fill-in as needed for Explore at Your Own Pace touring;
    • Must consent to a background check required of all staff and volunteers at Olana   

    Salary Range: $20.00 per hour.  

    To Apply:
    Submit resume and cover letter in PDF format to hreuter@olana.org, with applicant name and position title in the subject line. Applications received by March 31, 2023 will receive priority review. 

    As required by NYS OPRHP, all candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening, and all offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. 

    Olana State Historic Site is a tobacco-free environment. 

    The Olana Partnership is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

    About Olana and The Olana Partnership: Olana is the greatest masterwork of Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900), the preeminent American artist of the mid-19th century and the most important artist’s home, studio, and designed landscape in the United States. Church designed Olana as a holistic environment integrating his advanced ideas about art, architecture, landscape design, and environmental conservation. Olana’s 250-acre artist-designed landscape with five miles of carriage roads and a Persian-inspired house at its summit embraces unrivaled panoramic views of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains and welcomes more than 170,000 visitors annually. The landscape is open for guided touring, and reservations are highly recommended. The landscape is open daily 8 AM-sunset.  

    Olana State Historic Site, administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, is a designated National Historic Landmark and one of the most visited sites in the state. The Olana Partnership, a private not-for-profit education corporation, works cooperatively with New York State to support the restoration, conservation, and interpretation of Olana. The Olana Partnership operates Olana State Historic Site in a cooperative agreement with New York State Parks. 

    ___________________________________________________________

    The Olana Partnership: Per Diem Educator, K-12 Programs

    Department: Education
    Reports to: Education Coordinator
    FLSA Status: Per Diem

    Position Description
    The Olana Partnership seeks two Per Diem Educators to join the Education staff to provide interactive experiences for K-12 school audiences at Olana State Historic Site. Olana’s field trip curricula focus on art history, art education, civic readiness, social studies, English language arts, and environmental sciences through place-based learning at a landmark site of American art. Onsite and virtual tours incorporate inquiry-based teaching strategies and hands on activities to foster learning experiences for a wide range of school audiences from kindergarten through high school. Per Diem educators will participate in trainings and facilitate The Olana Partnership’s field trip curricula onsite. There is some flexibility as to which days of the week candidates are available, but priority will be given to those who can work Tuesdays-Fridays from 9:00-1:00pm and can be available two or more days a week.

    The Olana Partnership (TOP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization whose mission is to preserve and interpret Olana, Frederic Church’s artistic masterwork. We operate Olana State Historic Site in a cooperative agreement with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Comprised of a 250-acre designed landscape containing a Persian-inspired house and studio and a historic farm complex, Olana is a masterwork of American landscape art created over 40 years (1860-1900) by famed Hudson River School artist Frederic Church. The Olana Partnership’s (TOP’s) vision is to make Olana the most widely recognized artist’s home and studio in the world, and since our founding in 1971 we have worked closely with our New York State partners to make this vision a reality. Olana hosts more than 170,000 visitors annually and is a National Historic Landmark. TOP continuously introduces new educational programs to reflect our vision of Olana as a true teaching museum, offering diverse learning experiences like field trips, virtual webinars, workshops, and classes, walking tours, family programs, and events.

    Responsibilities:

    • Implement field trips and school programs by engaging students in inquiry and hands-on activities for groups in grades K – 12.
    • Attend 1-3 trainings led by The Olana Partnership staff throughout the year.
    • Work within the guidelines for each school tour curriculum to design a lesson plan for specific tour groups responsive to grade level and developmental needs.
    • Prepare materials, research, and teaching tools for your group’s visit.
    • Clean up after each group’s visit and aid the Education Coordinator in maintaining the organization of the Wagon House Education Center.
    • Work with full-time staff to communicate about group needs, and concerns about programs, and/or evaluate programs as needed.

    Qualifications:

    • BA or BS in art, art education, education, history, art history, or museum studies.
    • Prior K-12 teaching experience is required.
    • Prior experiences teaching in a museum or cultural setting is appreciated.
    • Excellent communication skills an enthusiasm for working with school-aged children is a must.
    • An interest in researching content related to Frederic Church’s Olana to prepare for field trips; an ability to learn and retain information to support age-appropriate program facilitation.
    • A reflective approach and ability to think creatively.
    • Ability to work independently and proactively while being a team player.
    • An interest in fostering accessible and equitable experiences for school groups in museum and cultural spaces.
    • Commitment to DEI initiatives and accessibility within education environments. Documentation of this commitment preferred.
    • English fluency required; Spanish language fluency is a plus.
    • Red Cross First Aid Certification preferred

    Works on select program days when available Tuesdays-Fridays. Must be able to carry chairs and tables (around 30lbs), walk longer distances during outdoor programs, and work outside in all seasons. Please note that all per diem educators will be required to go through a background check.

    Compensation:
    Educators are paid $200 per program ($100 for abridged tours). This rate is inclusive of prep, research and clean-up. Training rate is $20 per hour.
    To apply, please submit a resume, short cover letter, and a sample lesson plan demonstrating your past experiences working with youth audiences in an educational capacity to education@olana.org.

     

  • Internships

    The Olana Partnership at Olana State Historic Site offers annual internships in different departments and areas of responsibility. Internships aim to teach research and administrative methods and project assignments are tailored to interns’ specific interests. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis based on availability. Submit a brief cover letter and resume via email to Carolyn Keogh or call 518-567-2170 for more information.

    At this time, there are no specific internship openings.