Japanese American National Museum Hiring Visitor Experience Lead Associate — Los Angeles
Museum operations position
The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo is recruiting a full-time Visitor Experience Lead Associate. The role is linked to preparations for reopening its Pavilion after renovation and focuses on welcoming people into museum galleries, public programmes and events. The successful candidate functions as a shift supervisor and practical coordinator for the visitor experience team, rather than as a curator or research fellow.
Daily duties
Responsibilities include organising front-of-house shifts, guiding Visitor Experience Associates, scheduling breaks, opening and closing admissions or ticketing operations, maintaining financial controls and helping prepare indoor galleries and outdoor campus spaces for public events. The lead deals with initial visitor complaints and operational issues while continuing to provide direct customer service. The work involves regular weekend and evening hours.
Professional requirements
The employer asks for at least two years' relevant experience in visitor services, museum work, retail or hospitality, including experience leading people and managing transactions. Strong interpersonal skills, a calm approach to difficult situations, reliable cash handling and experience with point-of-sale and booking systems are useful. Familiarity with the Little Tokyo community and Japanese American history is preferred. A bachelor's degree is preferred, but an equivalent professional background may qualify.
Salary, benefits and eligibility
The job advertisement lists an hourly range of US $20–$21, depending on experience, for a full-time non-exempt position. Benefits include medical, dental and life insurance, retirement plan access under specified conditions, holiday and vacation entitlements and museum benefits. Employment screening includes criminal background and credit checks. The museum does not provide relocation assistance according to the employer notice.
How and when to apply
The California Arts Council listing expires December 1, 2026, and applicants should verify the museum's current hiring status. Submit a cover letter, the museum's own employment application and résumé with references to the Human Resources team, with 'Visitor Experience Lead Associate' as the email subject. Current instructions and postal details are available on the museum's official jobs page.
About the museum
The Japanese American National Museum is an accredited museum in downtown Los Angeles focusing on Japanese American history, artistic expression and cultural experiences. Located in Little Tokyo, it connects collections, exhibitions and programmes with the wider community and visitors.
Original application sources
Official employer jobs page: https://www.janm.org/jobs
Employer-supplied detailed listing: https://arts.ca.gov/collective/japanese-american-national-museum-236-2-visitor-experience-lead-associate/
Official specific opportunity: https://www.janm.org/index.php/jobs/visitor-experience-lead-associate
External opportunity notice
This is an edited independent summary of an external employment advertisement. Verify qualifications, background screening, work-authorisation rules, application status, salary and documents with the museum. Its official recruitment instructions prevail in case of a difference. Checked November 11, 2026.