Budtender

Ivy Hall; Waukegan (IL); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Ivy Hall in Illinois seeks a Budtender to deliver personalized product guidance, education, and hospitality in a fast-paced cannabis retail setting.

The ideal candidate is approachable, detail-oriented, and eager to learn about cannabis products, terpenes, and regulations while building lasting guest relationships at Ivy Hall.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• 1–2 years of retail, hospitality, or customer-facing experience preferred.
• Must be 21 years of age or older and able to register as a cannabis agent with the state.

Responsibilities

• Greet customers warmly and provide cannabis education and tailored product recommendations.
• Build relationships with guests and foster brand loyalty.
• Process transactions using the POS system and ensure compliance with inventory protocols.
• Verify IDs, assist at the front desk, and prepare online orders for pickup.
• Stock displays and maintain clean, organized work areas in a compliant retail environment.
• Keep up-to-date on state and local cannabis regulations and standards.

Skills

Customer service

Retail experience

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

POS systems

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Ivy Hall is Illinois’ largest independent cannabis retailer. Rooted in community and driven by hospitality, Ivy Hall offers a curated selection of high-quality products, expert education, and personalized service in welcoming, thoughtfully designed spaces where feeling good matters more than simply feeling it. Moving beyond purely transactional retail, Ivy Hall is ushering in a new wave of dispensaries that prioritize connection, comfort, and discovery—an approachable alternative to the sterile and intimidating storefronts of the past. Dedicated to excellence, equity, and inclusion, Ivy Hall proudly serves communities across Illinois.

Spanish speakers encouraged to apply!

Job Summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and service-driven Budtender to join our dynamic retail team. The Budtender plays a pivotal role in shaping each customer’s experience—offering personalized product guidance, education, and hospitality in a compliant and high-energy retail environment.

The ideal candidate is approachable, detail-oriented, and eager to learn about the evolving world of cannabis. This individual thrives in a fast-paced environment, builds lasting relationships with guests, and upholds Ivy Hall’s mission to make every visit both inspiring and educational.

Key Responsibilities

• Customer Experience & Education
  • Greet customers with warmth, professionalism, and a welcoming attitude
  • Guide customers through their cannabis education journey, tailoring recommendations to individual preferences and experience levels
  • Build and maintain lasting relationships with returning guests, fostering loyalty and brand trust
• Retail Operations
  • Partner with teammates to ensure a seamless retail experience across all customer touchpoints
  • Process customer transactions accurately using the Point of Sale (POS) system, ensuring compliance with all state-monitored inventory protocols
  • Verify customer identification and assist at the front desk as needed to ensure compliance and security
  • Prepare and verify online orders for accuracy prior to pick-up
  • Stock, merchandise, and replenish product displays for both regulated and unregulated inventory
• Compliance & Standards
  • Maintain a strong understanding of state and local cannabis regulations; adhere strictly to all compliance requirements
  • Ensure accuracy in recordkeeping and tracking within the state inventory system
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and sanitized workstation and retail environment at all times
• Team Collaboration & Growth
  • Support managers and fellow budtenders as needed to achieve store goals
  • Participate in ongoing cannabis education and product training sessions
  • Contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture where every member shares Ivy Hall’s commitment to service excellence

Key Qualities

• Friendly, professional, and deeply customer-focused
• Passion for cannabis education, wellness, and community connection
• Adaptable and able to thrive in a high-volume, fast-paced retail setting
• Collaborative team player who values communication, accountability, and integrity
• Self-motivated learner committed to continuous personal and professional growth

Requirements

• Education & Experience:
  • High School Diploma or equivalent required
  • 1–2 years of retail, hospitality, or customer-facing experience preferred
  • Must be 21 years of age or older and able to register as a cannabis agent with the state
• Technical & Physical Skills:
  • Competent using standard office and retail technology (POS systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, email, etc.)
  • Ability to lift up to 30 pounds unassisted and remain standing or walking for 5+ hours per shift
  • Comfortable bending, kneeling, and reaching with or without assistance
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to follow operational and compliance procedures precisely
• Knowledge & Interests:
  • Eagerness to learn about cannabinoids, terpenes, and diverse product applications
  • Understanding of cannabis regulations or willingness to be trained on state and local laws

Physical and Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position, move and/or position oneself, communicate, operate and/or prepare, place, and position objects, tools, or controls.

• Hearing: Normal audio range, with or without correction
• Vision: Close observation and ability to adjust focus

$18 - $19 an hour

Compensation Range for this role is between $18 - $20 per hour.

Working Environment

Work is performed both remotely and in a retail environment. The noise level is usually moderate. These characteristics represent those individual encounters while performing the essential functions of this role.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all applicants will be considered without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.