Retail Operations Associate

Museum Of Life And Science; North Carolina; On-site; USD 1,705,000 - 2,428,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

403b retirement plan

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flex-spending plans

Life insurance

Long-term disability insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

Nine paid holidays

Employee appreciation events

Family museum membership

Job summary

The Museum of Life and Science is seeking a Retail Operations Associate to deliver outstanding guest service and support daily store operations in a busy museum environment. You will assist with product knowledge, inventory, and cash handling while upholding safety and merchandising standards.

This role emphasizes flexibility, weekend availability, and a willingness to engage with visitors to ensure a positive experience for families and guests.

Qualifications

• Passion for customer service and guest satisfaction.
• Ability to accurately handle cash, charge, check, and gift card transactions.
• Basic knowledge of computer systems and point-of-sale operations.
• Ability to stand for up to 9 hours and perform light lifting (up to 40 pounds).
• Flexible schedule with weekend and potential evening work.

Responsibilities

• Provide exemplary customer service to guests according to service standards.
• Be knowledgeable about current product lines and communicate information to customers.
• Adhere to policies for opening/closing, inventory, cash handling, and food handling guidelines.
• Support coffee bar operations by serving beverages and food when needed.
• Assist Retail Operations leadership in daily tasks and inventory control.
• Maintain merchandising standards and safety procedures.
• Engage with visitors in a positive, helpful manner and promote inclusivity.

Skills

Customer service

Cash handling

Stand long hours

Flexible schedule

Team collaboration

Tools

Counterpoint

Job description

Job Description

TitleRetail Operations Associate LocationMuseum of Life and Science About the OrganizationThe Museum of Life and Science, one of North Carolina's top family destinations, has been a beloved Durham institution for 75 years. The Museum features 84 acres of exhibits, experiences, and outdoor exploration, including one of the East Coast's largest butterfly conservatories and a two-story science center. As an accredited zoo, the Museum is home to lemurs, black bears, endangered red wolves, and more than 140 species of live animals, butterflies, and insects. Readers of Durham Magazine, Indy Week, and Carolina Parent have repeatedly named us the top Museum in the Triangle. Charity Navigator rated the Museum, a 501(c3) nonprofit organization, 100 out of 100-- the highest possible score.
Our mission is to create a place of lifelong learning where people of all ages embrace science as a way of knowing about themselves, their community, and their world. The Museum serves our increasingly diverse community with interactive and accessible experiences that build and develop lifelong connections with science, nature, and critical thinking. The Museum partners with NASA, NOAA, the National Science Foundation, Duke University, NC State University, and the University of North Carolina on many research projects and programs.
In addition to an incredible team of co-workers, the Museum provides competitive compensation commensurate with experience, as well as a full array of employee benefits for eligible positions, including a generous 403b retirement plan with employer contributions, health, dental, and vision insurance, flex-spending plans, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, paid vacation and sick leave, nine paid annual holidays, employee appreciation events, and a family membership to the Museum. Full-Time/Part-TimePart-Time Exempt/Non-ExemptNon-Exempt Description

Position Objective: Supports the Museum's mission by providing excellent customer service to enhance the customers' retail experience and maintaining strong operational protocol to protect the Museum's assets.

Responsibilities:

• Provides exemplary customer service to all guests according to accepted service standards.
• Knowledgeable about current product lines and communicates product information to customers.
• Knows and adheres to all policies and procedures such as opening and closing, receiving, and maintaining inventory, cash register operations, food handler guidelines, and other administrative duties.
• Supports coffee bar operations by serving beverages and food, on occasion.
• Assists the Retail Operations Manager, Retail Operations Assistant Manager, and Lead Retail Operations Associates in carrying out all necessary retail operations.
• Knows and ensures that Museum policies and procedures are followed.
• Knows and adheres to all merchandising standards with high attention to detail.
• Always adheres to Museum safety procedures.
• Engages with Museum visitors in a positive and helpful way to support an enjoyable and safe guest experience.
• Prioritizes the Museum's values of inclusion and kindness in all interactions with staff, volunteers, and guests.
• Additional duties as needed

Actual Pay Rate: $15.00/hour

Position Requirements

• A demonstrated passion for customer service
• Ability to accurately handle cash, charge, check, and gift card transactions
• Basic knowledge of computer systems
• Ability to stand for up to 9 hours
• Ability to maneuver around sales floor and stock room including repetitive bending, prolonged standing, twisting, and climbing
• Ability to withstand prolonged periods of repetitive motions with hands/wrists
• Ability to lift 40 pounds
• Flexible schedule with weekend and potential evening work
• Additional job related duties as needed

Preferred:

• Sales/Retail Experience
• Coffee bar experience
• Spanish Fluency
• Visual Merchandising Experience
• Familiarity with Counterpoint

ShiftVarious Shifts Pay Range$15.00/hour EOE StatementThe Museum of Life and Science is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, military or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, we will provide reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, perform crucial job functions, and receive