Extra Usher
Lincoln Center - New York, NY
House Management /
Part-Time (Extra) /
On-site
The Metropolitan Opera is a vibrant home for the most creative and talented singers, conductors, composers, musicians, stage directors, designers, visual artists, choreographers, and dancers from around the world. The role of the Usher is a part-time position on a performance call and as needed basis, dependent on the events scheduled in the opera house. Ushers are typically scheduled for 4-hour shifts at a time, and hours can vary weekly, including daytime, evening, weekend, and holiday shifts.
The Extra Usher position is covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) Metropolitan Opera Association, Inc., and Local 32 BJ. Employees who become regular Ushers are required to join the union. Terms and conditions of employment are subject to Metropolitan Opera Association’s policies and the CBA.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Greet guests attending events and performances at The Met.
- Exemplify guest excellence characteristics in all interactions with patrons, guests, and fellow co-workers.
- Distribute event Playbills to guests as needed.
- Provide accurate information about an event or performance upon request, including directions within and outside of the Auditorium, and other activities within the Opera House or attractions on the Lincoln Center campus.
- Ensure performance house rules, such as entry, exit, late seating, mask compliance, photography etc. are adhered to, and maintain access control to performance area.
- Additional requirements include ability to use ticket scanning devices, read and interpret ticket information, distribute, and pick up Playbills and other printed materials, open, close, and hold entrance doors to the Hall, and use electronic communications equipment to stay in contact with Performance Managers and take direction as needed.
- Notify supervisory staff and/or security staff of any emergency situations immediately as they occur. Monitor the guests at all times.
Qualification and Skill Requirements:
- Proven hospitality experience with an exceptional welcoming and warm personality.
- Excellent positive interpersonal skills and clear communication at all times.
- Ability to multi-task and problem solve in a fast-paced environment with thousands of guests at each performance.
- Flexible availability is a must, including being able to work during matinee, evening, and weekend performances.
- Very adaptable and demonstrate a willingness to quickly learn and implement new front of house procedures and technology, including updates to health and safety protocol, as necessary.
- Employees who become regular Ushers are required to join the union.
Physical Demands:
- Ability to stand for varying periods of time.
The Metropolitan Opera believes that diversity is critical to our success and growth as a leading performing arts institution and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities we serve.
The Metropolitan Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and existing employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship status, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.