Peculiarium Employment

      • FREAKYBUTTRUE PECULIARIUM

        2234 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR 97210

        peculiarium.com

        Guest Experience Guide

        Seasonal • Part-Time • June–September 30 • 20 hrs/week • $20/hr

        About the Peculiarium

        The Freakybuttrue Peculiarium is Portland’s one-of-a-kind museum and gift shop — a hands-on, weird, wonderful, and genuinely local institution that’s been making visitors feel gloriously uncomfortable (in the best way) for over 15 years. We’re not a chain, not a franchise, and not for the faint of heart. Our exhibits are strange, our artifacts are real, and our community is deeply, proudly Portland.

        The Role

        We’re looking for a warm, observant, and genuinely Portland-loving person to be the human heart of our visitor experience this summer. Your job isn’t to stand behind a counter — it’s to move through the space, notice what’s happening, and make sure every visitor feels welcomed, curious, and looked after.

        This is a roving role. On any given shift you might be deep in conversation with a family from Ohio who’ve never heard of Voodoo Doughnut, helping a visitor understand one of our weirder exhibits, quietly keeping an eye on a rowdy kid near a fragile display, or hopping on a second register when the line gets long. No two shifts are the same.

        A note before you apply: This is not an art-creation or curatorial role. We have a dedicated production team for that. This position is about people and space — keeping the Peculiarium running beautifully and making every visitor feel genuinely at home.

        What You’ll Do

        Circulate through the museum and gift shop, engaging visitors proactively — asking where they’re from, how their summer’s going, what else they’re planning to do in Portland

        Be a genuine Portland ambassador: share recommendations for neighborhoods, food, events, and hidden gems across all five quadrants

        Answer questions about exhibits, artists, merchandise, custom orders, and stock availability

        Keep the space clean and presentable — this is a core part of the job. Expect to check and restock the restroom regularly, dust and wipe down surfaces, and straighten and restock gift shop displays throughout every shiftJump on a second register when ticketing or checkout lines build up (training provided)

        Handle cash transactions as needed

        Help visitors — especially families — navigate the museum in a way that’s safe for everyone, including the exhibits. Keep a calm, friendly awareness of the full floor at all times



      What We’re Looking For

      The most important thing we’re hiring for is presence — the ability to be genuinely attentive, warm, and curious with strangers. Everything else can be taught.

      • You’ve lived in Portland for at least a year or two and you actually love it — the neighborhoods, the weird history, the food, the vibe, warts and all. Visitors will ask you about the city, and you should be able to light up when they do.

        You’re naturally conversational and at ease talking with all kinds of people: tourists, locals, kids, grandparents, first-timers, and regulars

        You’re observant. You notice when a display needs restocking, when a visitor looks lost, when something’s off in the room — without being told to look

        You’re comfortable managing the occasional tricky situation calmly: a child who’s too hands-on with an exhibit, a parent trying to wander off, someone who needs a second glance

        You’re self-directed on the floor. You don’t need someone to tell you what to do next — you’ll figure it out

        You can lift up to 25 lbs



      Schedule & Availability

      • Saturdays, noon–5pm (required)

      • A few additional weekday shifts per week (scheduling is collaborative)

      • Approximately 25 hours/week total

      • June through September 30 — end date is negotiable for the right candidate



      Compensation & Perks

      • $20/hour

      • TriMet bus pass provided

      • Gift shop discount

      • W-2 position



      How to Apply

      We’d love to meet you in person. Stop by the Peculiarium during open hours and drop off your resume — that’s genuinely our preferred way to connect. You can also email your resume to us if stopping by isn’t possible right now. Either way, tell us a little about your Portland — a neighborhood you love, a spot you always recommend to visitors, or something about the city that makes you proud to live here.

      Drop off: 2234 NW Thurman St, Portland, OR 97210

      Email: Info@Peculiarium.com

      The Peculiarium is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds.