Seasonal Retail Associate (Crane Beach)

The Trustees of Reservations; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization in Ipswich, MA is seeking a Retail Associate for the Crane Beach Store. This seasonal position involves welcoming guests, selling merchandise and memberships, and providing exceptional customer service. Applicants should be ready to work weekends, handle cash, and lift heavy items. A positive attitude and teamwork skills are essential. The role offers the opportunity to work in a beautiful environment, serving visitors and contributing to unforgettable experiences.

Benefits

Paid sick time

Discounted admission to cultural institutions

Free entry to Trustees properties

Qualifications

• Must provide respectful and exceptional customer service.
• Ability to operate a POS and ticketing system.
• Must lift 40 lbs and work in varying weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Welcome guests and sell merchandise and memberships.
• Maintain the Beach Store and manage inventory.
• Provide friendly and courteous customer service.

Skills

Customer service

Cash handling

POS system operation

Teamwork

Problem solving

Job description

Who We Are

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non‑profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.

Posting Information

Salary/Hourly Rate: $16 - $18/hour

Hours per week: 20

Job Classification: Nonexempt, Limited Term

Job Type: Onsite

Duration: Variable. Est April- January

Location: Crane Beach, Ipswich, MA

What You’ll Do

Visited by more than 350,000 people annually, Crane Beach remains a national model for balancing conservation of diverse natural habitats and wildlife—more than 1,200 acres of beachfront, dunes, and maritime forest grace the property—with the management of active public recreation. Whether you want to take a refreshing plunge, play in the sand, or bask in the sun, this unparalleled seaside experience has provided fun and lasting memories for generations. Our seasonal team members are the driving force for creating a safe, mission‑driven and memorable experience for all Crane Estate visitors.

Our seasonal staff plays an integral role in ensuring that our visitors enjoy our extraordinary places. With the change to warmer temperatures, we experience an influx of visitors of all ages and backgrounds who want to explore and be inspired by our properties. Sandy beaches, wooded trails, cultural gardens, historic homes, community supported agriculture—there are many ways for visitors to discover and explore The Trustees, and just as many opportunities for seasonal employees to make each visitor’s experience special.

The Role

As a Retail Associate, you perform the essential function of welcoming all guests to the Crane Beach Store and selling merchandise and Trustees Memberships in the Gift Shop. They are crucial as ambassadors of The Trustees, introducing guests to Gift Shop merchandise, directing guests to amenities, and sharing the many benefits of membership.

Specifically, you’ll:

• Operate Shopify POS system to sell merchandise/refreshments.
• Maintain supplies, including restocking and alerting Manager to inventory levels.
• Independently open and close the Beach Store, including starting and closing register sales sessions and reporting sales.
• Direct visitors, answer questions and sell merchandise, tickets, and memberships.
• Provide respectful, exceptional customer service to all guests with a friendly, courteous, and confident demeanor.
• Learn and use POS and Ticketing systems, handle cash, and make credit card sales.
• Handle multiple tasks and unexpected situations in a calm manner.
• Work team‑oriented, with a professional, positive attitude toward all staff, volunteers, and guests.
• Availability to work at least one day each weekend and some evenings and holidays.
• Lift 40 lbs and work in varying weather conditions, including summer heat.
• Expect to work 2–3 days including some weekend days and holidays; this is a seasonal, non‑exempt, hourly paid position.

This is a limited‑term, nonexempt position (20 hours/week) reporting directly to the Retail Manager – Crane Beach Store.

What You’ll Need

Skills and Experience:

• Provide respectful, exceptional customer service to all guests with a friendly, courteous, and confident demeanor.
• Learn and use POS and Ticketing systems, handle cash, and make credit card sales.
• Handle multiple tasks and unexpected situations in a calm manner.
• Work team‑oriented, with a professional, positive attitude toward all staff, volunteers, and guests.
• Availability to work at least one day each weekend and some evenings and holidays.
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs.
• Must be able to work in varying weather conditions, including summer heat.
• Must be able to work 2‑3 days a week, including some weekend days and holidays.

Eligibility Criteria

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.
• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Questions? Contact our People team at [e-mail].

Your Benefits

• Sick Time: 40 hours of paid sick time upfront.
• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.
• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail].