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Part-Time Gift Shop Associate

Lake Metroparks • Kirtland, Ohio, United States • 2d ago

Part-Time Gift Shop Associate

Gift Shop Associate: Part-Time (Non-Exempt)

Rate: $12.00 starting hourly to $16.00 max hourly rate Starting salary based on prior experience and education.

Location: Penitentiary Glen Reservation, Kirtland

Position Description:

Under the supervision of the Facility Manager, the part-time Gift Shop Associate provides courteous, efficient, and knowledgeable service to visitors in Lake Metroparks retail locations, including gift shop operations. This position assists with sales transactions, merchandise presentation, inventory support, visitor questions, and special events. The role requires flexibility to work 16–28 hours per week, including weekdays, weekends, some evenings, and holidays, with a minimum commitment of two days per week.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education and/or Experience:

Equivalent education, training, or experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position is required.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Previous retail, cash handling, customer service, visitor services, or related experience is preferred.
Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable under the Agency's policy.
Successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen and background check is required.
Must be able to work a flexible schedule that may include weekdays, weekends, evenings, holidays, and outdoor conditions as assigned.
Must be able to work independently and as a team member.

Required Training: All Park District employees must complete and maintain all mandatory training, which may include safety, fraud, ethics, sexual harassment, and additional job-specific training.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Greets visitors in a professional, welcoming manner and provides assistance with merchandise selection, product information, and general park or farm-related questions.
Processes sales transactions accurately using the point-of-sale system and follows established cash handling, receipt, refund, and reconciliation procedures.
Assists with receiving, pricing, stocking, organizing, and displaying merchandise to maintain an attractive, safe, and visitor-ready retail environment.
Supports inventory control activities, including periodic counts, restocking needs, merchandise rotation, and communication of low-stock or damaged items to the supervisor.
Maintains the cleanliness, organization, and safety of the gift shop, sales counter, storage areas, displays, and customer-facing spaces.
Assists with merchandise promotions, seasonal displays, special events, and visitor services as assigned.
Provides courteous support to volunteers, coworkers, vendors, and visitors while maintaining a positive and professional representation of Lake Metroparks.
Prepares cash reports, deposits, and related documentation as requested and in accordance with established procedures.
Observes and follows safety procedures while working in a farm environment near live animals, equipment, uneven surfaces, and visitor traffic.
Follows all applicable safety procedures, reports hazards or incidents promptly, and supports a safe environment for participants, visitors, volunteers, and staff.
Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

☒ This position has no supervisory duties.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and duties listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with barriers to employment to perform the essential functions.

COMPUTER EXPERTISE REQUIRED / EQUIPMENT OPERATED:

Proficient in the use of computers, web-based programs, email, point-of-sale systems, and Microsoft Office products.
Ability to operate standard retail equipment, including cash registers, receipt printers, barcode scanners, credit card terminals, telephones, and basic office equipment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position requires the employee to demonstrate the following observable knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors needed to successfully perform the essential functions.

Knowledge:

Knowledge of basic retail sales practices, customer service standards, cash handling procedures, and merchandise presentation.
Knowledge of basic safety practices applicable to retail work in a public park and working farm environment.

Skills:

Skill in providing courteous, accurate, and responsive customer service to visitors of all ages.
Skill in basic mathematics, cash handling, transaction processing, and recordkeeping.
Skill in organizing merchandise, maintaining displays, and supporting inventory accuracy.
Skill in verbal communication and in responding to visitors' questions with professionalism and tact.
Skill in using computers, point-of-sale systems, and basic office software to complete assigned tasks.

Abilities:

Ability to process sales accurately, provide correct change, and follow established cash handling procedures.
Ability to interact with visitors, coworkers, volunteers, vendors, and supervisors with courtesy, professionalism, and sound judgment.
Ability to work independently and cooperatively as part of a team in a busy visitor-focused environment.
Ability to remain organized, flexible, and professional while completing assigned work accurately during routine and high-activity periods.
Ability to manage multiple tasks, respond to changing priorities, and remain composed during periods of high visitor activity.
Ability to safely lift, carry, stock, and move merchandise and supplies within established physical demand guidelines.
Ability to safely use ladders, step stools, and basic retail equipment as needed.
Ability to follow safety procedures while working in a farm setting near live animals, farm equipment, uneven walking surfaces, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described are representative of those needed to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with barriers to employment to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee regularly stands, walks, communicates with visitors and coworkers, uses hands to handle merchandise and operate a point-of-sale system, reaches for items, and moves throughout retail and storage areas. The employee may stand or walk for extended periods and may occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, climb a step stool or ladder, push, pull, lift, carry, or stock merchandise and supplies. The employee may occasionally lift or move up to 35 pounds, with assistance when appropriate. The position requires visual attention for transaction processing, product identification, displays, and visitor assistance.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with barriers to employment to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee primarily works in a public retail setting that includes regular interaction with participants, visitors, volunteers, coworkers, vendors, and community partners. Work may occur indoors and outdoors and may include exposure to changing weather conditions, moderate noise, uneven walking surfaces, dust, odors, animal-related allergens, live animals, insects, and visitor traffic. The employee is expected to follow established safety procedures, maintain a clean and organized work area, and use Lake Metroparks-issued uniforms or protective items as required.

POTENTIAL HAZARDS

Potential hazards may include slips, trips, or falls; lifting, carrying, stocking, or moving merchandise and supplies; minor cuts or scrapes from packaging, displays, or retail materials; exposure to cleaning products; and conditions associated with public retail and working farm environments. These conditions may include uneven surfaces, dust, odors, insects, animal waste, live animals, nearby equipment, and visitor traffic. The employee must remain aware of surroundings, maintain safe retail and storage areas, follow applicable safety procedures, and promptly report hazards, incidents, damaged items, or unsafe conditions.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

The employee must demonstrate commitment and sensitivity to the needs of Lake Metroparks and its constituents, support the mission of the Park District, maintain professional conduct, comply with applicable policies and procedures, and provide respectful service to participants, visitors, volunteers, coworkers, and community partners.