Sales Associate

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Part time

Job summary

Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh seeks a part-time Sales Associate for its museum stores to assist customers, process sales, and help maintain appealing merchandise displays.

The role requires strong verbal communication, a willingness to work in a retail environment, and interest in art. Candidates should be able to stand for long periods and handle light lifting as needed.

Qualifications

• Prefer previous sales work experience.
• Excellent verbal communication and customer relations.
• Physical stamina for standing and lifting during shifts.
• Appreciation of art, natural history and/or science is a plus.
• Ability to work in various locations and conditions, with basic computer use at POS.

Responsibilities

• Assist customers with selections and process sales.
• Wrap or bag merchandise and handle payments.
• Restock shelves and maintain display area.
• Answer phones and provide museum information.
• Maintain a clean, attractive sales area.
• Support inventory and back-stock processes.

Skills

Customer service

Verbal communication

Stamina

Art appreciation

POS experience

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Monday, August 24, 2026 at 4:00 AM | Expires Friday, September 25, 2026 at 3:59 AM

Carnegie Museum of Art creates experiences that connect people to art, ideas, and one another. Founded in 1895, Carnegie Museum of Art is arguably the first museum of contemporary art in the United States and the Pittsburgh region’s preeminent venue for presenting, collecting, preserving, and interpreting visual art. For 129 years, the museum has been committed to showcasing the art and artists of the current moment, while also building a vital archive of art from the past. Its collection of more than 110,000 objects encompasses a broad spectrum of visual arts with an emphasis on art, architecture, photography, and design from the 19th century to the present.

From its ambitious execution of the Carnegie International—the museum’s signature recurring exhibition of global contemporary art established in 1896, to compelling special exhibitions, programs, and publications, to the daily work of the entire organization, the museum seeks to build on its legacy of thought leadership through rigorous research, adventurous and artist-centered programming and partnerships, and forward-thinking contributions to museum discourse and practice. Through its artistic program, Carnegie Museum of Art frequently explores the role of art and artists in confronting key social issues of our time, combining and juxtaposing local and global perspectives. With its unique history and resources, Carnegie Museum of Art strives to be a leader in defining the role of art museums for the 21st century.

This Occasional position is eligible for the Carnegie Museums' many Benefits .

This is a union position.

The Sales Associate is responsible for performing a variety of tasks related to the receiving, checking, displaying and selling merchandise in The Carnegie Museum Stores.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Prefer previous sales work experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must have excellent verbal communication and customer relation skills. Computer experience recommended.
• Physical stamina.
• Mental and emotional stability necessary to deal effectively in a busy retail environment.
• Knowledge and appreciation of art, natural history and/or science preferred.
• Ability to work in various locations and conditions. Computer Point of Sale Terminals, calculator, charge card imprinter, telephone, dolly for transporting merchandise.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Job involves walking and standing for long periods of time, lifting up to 30 lbs. and climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling and working in tight enclosed spaces.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Receives, or assists in obtaining from cases and shelves, merchandise selected by customers; verifies appropriate customer discounts to be given, if any enters item control numbers into computer point of sale terminal assuring figures entered are correct, verifies and receives payment and makes change.
• Wraps or bags merchandise for customers.
• Assists customers in making selections; and recommends alternative merchandise if original selection is not available.
• Communicates to customer origin of item, materials it is made of, how it works, and other pertinent information which may be helpful in completing the sale.
• One is involved with extensive face-to-face and telephone contact with potential customers.
• At all times the sales associate must provide to the customer an appearance of interest and concern in providing good customer service.
• Familiarizes self with merchandise in ship which is displayed, as well as back stock in order to serve customer needs.
• Learns about the items for sale in order to communicate intelligently to the customer.
• Answers telephone and takes messages.
• Answers customer’s questions about the Museums and gives directions.
• Familiarizes self with all exhibits and special events in order to better serve customer needs.
• Reviews previous day’s final sales receipts and checks merchandise on display to verify if additional items need to be restocked.
• Stocks shelves, counters, display cases, bales, and postcard racks with merchandise.
• Transports backup stock from shop storage areas.
• Keeps stock and display area orderly and presentable by cleaning and dusting on a daily basis.
• Maintains an attractive arrangement of merchandise for sale.
• Unpacks deliveries of merchandise to be sold; verifies correct filling of orders; and assures that merchandise is in proper condition on an as needed basis.
• Makes minor repairs on merchandise, prices merchandise, and shrink wraps items as needed.
• Assists in daily/weekly and year-end physical inventory.
• Assists in pulling items from displays that need to be returned for credit.
• Open and closes register, prepare cash report for deposit.
• Displays courtesy and sensitivity in dealing with the public.
• Projects the image and attitude of The Carnegie Museums.

The following PA Act 153 clearances, or proof of application of clearances, are required beginning employment and as a condition of continued employment: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check Obtaining the required clearances is completed as part of the new hire process.

Carnegie Museums is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The above job description reflects the essential functions and qualifications for the position identified, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the position. The job description does not constitute an employment contract and does not alter the at-will relationship between CMP and the employee.

*GUIDANCE ON ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requires employers to consider and accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities. An individual is qualified if he or she can perform the essential functions of a jobwith or without reasonable accommodation. An essential job function is any task that is a fundamental part of the job. When considering essentiality, one must focus upon whether the function is essential to this particular job and not to the department as a whole. Some additionalguidance on essential functionsfollows below. Please note that the following guidelines are non-exhaustive. If you have any questions or need additional guidance, please contact Human Resources. A. Is the function required to be performed on a regular basis? If the functionis rarely performed, it may not be essential. B. Is the function highly specialized? Is the incumbent hired for his/her expertise or ability to perform the function? The need for special expertise is an indication of an essential function. C. Does the position exist, at least in part, to perform the function? If so, the function is more likely to be essential. D. How much time is spent performing the function and how often? Note that even functions performed 10% of the time could be essential if they are required on a regular basis. E. Would elimination of the function fundamentally alter the job? If so, the function is more likely to be essential. F. What are the consequences of not requiring the incumbent to perform the function? If they are significant, the function is more likely to be essential. G. Are there a limited number of employees among whom the performance of the function could be distributed if the incumbent could not perform it? If so, it is more likely to be essential.

Carnegie Museum of Art, 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America