Retail Sales Associate [S]

Vancouver Aquarium; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 27,000 - 34,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly wage $19.25–$25.00

Benefits Plan

Employee Assistance Program

Company Discounts

Fun, supportive work environment

Job summary

Vancouver Aquarium is seeking a Sales Associate to support the gift shop and photo locations. You will engage guests, drive merchandise and photo sales, operate the POS, and ensure a welcoming, clean environment for visitors.

The role requires at least two years in high‑volume retail, strong communication, and comfort with basic photo editing. A team oriented, friendly approach helps create memorable guest experiences in a busy, family‑focused setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of high-volume retail sales experience selling products.
• 2 years customer service role experience or equivalent.
• Basic knowledge of camera operating and photo editing would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Enthusiastically & professionally greeting and assisting customers in all gift shop/photo locations.
• Accurately performing sales transactions for cash, debit, and credit card services at point of sales registers.
• Frequently organizes, cleans, restocks, and maintains cleanliness in all gift shop/photo locations: ensuring stations and equipment are in good working condition.
• Promoting sales of merchandise and photo packages while offering excellent customer service.
• While at photo locations, accurately and efficiently take, edit, and process digital photos.
• Competently and enthusiastically provides general information to customers about the Aquarium, Stanley Park, and the city.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Numerical ability

Problem solving

Diplomacy

Company values

Job description

Vancouver Aquarium, one of the many properties owned by Herschend Family Entertainment, prides itself on working towards bringing families closer together and to creating memories worth repeating. Our Core Values – greatly exceeding guest expectations, serving others, creating emotional connections, constantly improving – give us purpose and guidance.

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Retail AssistantManagers, this role is responsible for selling products and for providing the highest level of customer service support at the Vancouver Aquarium retail and photo locations. The Sales Associates’ focus is to generate sales by assisting customers on the sales floor, suggest products that meet the customers’ needs, and process sales transactions through the POS. Being the first contact for guests once in the Aquarium, it is the responsibility of the associate to capture the smiles and memories of our visitors and by selling our souvenir photos while providing the highest level of customer service. The Sales Associates will also maintain cleanliness and professional presentation of the gift shop sales floor and at the photo areas.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Positively represent the Vancouver Aquarium through great service:

• Enthusiastically & professionally greeting and assisting customers in all gift shop/photo locations.
• Accurately performing sales transactions for cash, debit, and credit card services at point of sales registers.
• Frequently organizes, cleans, restocks, and maintains cleanliness in all gift shop/photo locations: ensuring stations and equipment are in good working condition.
• Promoting sales of merchandise and photo packages while offering excellent customer service.
• While at photo locations, accurately and efficiently take, edit, and process digital photos.
• Competently and enthusiastically provides general information to customers about the Aquarium, Stanley Park, and the city.

Consciously desires to improve the organization and its processes by:

• Actively demonstrate the organization's values and expectations for conduct.
• Improve our impact on the environment and greening of operations through support of EMS protocols.
• Promptly aid in emergency protocols.
• Maintain organizational safety standards.
• Perform additional duties of a similar nature or level as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of high-volume retail sales experience selling products.
• 2 years customer service role experience or equivalent.
• Basic knowledge of camera operating and photo editing would be an asset.

Skills

• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Knowledgeable, friendly, and approachable with an outgoing personality.
• Ability to work well in a team in a fast-paced, high stress environment.
• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail.
• Good aptitude for numbers.
• Ability to "think on your feet" with strong decision making and problem solving skills.
• Diplomatic and calm when working with the general public.
• Active demonstration of the company's values and mission.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Part-time, Contract
• Job requires the ability to stand for extended periods of time
• Job requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions
• Must adhere to the uniform and appearance guidelines
• Job requires the ability to bend, lift light objects (up to 15lbs) and occasionally use ladders
• Job constantly involves listening and reacting to requests for information
• Frequent exposure to loud, noisy, and crowded environments
• Must be available to work on Saturdays, Sundays, statutory holidays, and through the winter holiday period

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Competitive hourly wage of $19.25 to $25.00
• Comprehensive Benefits Plan for eligible team members
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Company Discounts
• Fun, supportive work environment with a mission-driven team

The Vancouver Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Candidate applications are reviewed by hiring professionals, and Artificial Intelligence is not used to screen, assess, or select candidates. Accommodation is available at every stage of the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please contact the HR department.