Sanctuary Store Associate

Best Friends Animal Society (Company); United States; On-site; USD 23,419 - 24,796; Full time

Job summary

Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah seeks Sanctuary Store Associates to deliver exceptional guest service at the Welcome Center. You will assist visitors with shopping, tours, and pet care information, while maintaining a friendly atmosphere and accurate cash handling.

This full-time role requires a welcoming demeanor and the ability to multi-task in a busy environment. Eligible candidates will have at least one year of customer service experience, strong communication skills, and the

Qualifications

• Minimum of one year of work experience, preferably in a customer service role providing high-quality service.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, being a team player and professional with diverse guests.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and engage visitors with friendly, knowledgeable service; respond to questions and provide directions.
• Process in-person, phone, mail, and email orders and facilitate purchases of food, beverages, and merchandise.
• Manage cash handling and reconcile end-of-day cash and credit card procedures.
• Maintain an organized, clean, stocked retail and guest services area; monitor supplies and reordering.
• Lead guided tours when needed and share Best Friends’ history, mission, programs, and policies.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal communication

Cash handling

POS systems

Microsoft Office

Tools

POS systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Kanab, Utah

Hiring Range: This position is expected to pay between $17 per hour to $18 per hour, depending on experience.

Schedule: This is a full‑time position with an anticipated schedule of Saturday-Wednesday; 8 am - 5 pm or 9 am - 6 pm during summer months.

Position Summary

Sanctuary Store Associates are responsible for providing exceptional guest service at the Welcome Center. As part of the position, associates must be diligent in providing Best Friends visitors with an enthusiastic welcome and educational experience while helping them with their shopping or visit. Associates must possess a strong ability to multi‑task, maintain the Sanctuary store in guest presentable conditions, be flexible and remain focused in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment. The Associate facilitates retail purchases, pricing and stocking, provides directions, assists with adoptable pet care, and helps guests with problem solving while working as a member of the Visitor experience team to provide a high level of personal service to our guests and visitors. In addition, they are responsible for providing our visitors with quality experience through informative and engaging tours of the Sanctuary as needed.

Culture Statement and Responsibility

We believe in treating everyone with kindness and compassion, building trust through authenticity and following through on commitments. We prioritize well‑being alongside our mission, fostering strong relationships through open communication and transparent feedback. Diversity and inclusion are integral to our culture, enriching team dynamics by valuing diverse perspectives. Each team member is responsible for creating an inclusive environment where all voices are respected and contributing to a workplace that embodies our shared values and commitment to progress. By consistently aligning our actions with our Guiding Principles, we strengthen our culture and ensure that our values are lived every day.

Responsibilities and Essential Duties

• Welcome and engage visitors and guests (including pets) with friendly, knowledgeable, and professional service; respond to questions, provide directions, and assist with activities to enhance their overall experience.
• Support retail operations by processing in‑person, phone, mail, and email orders; facilitating purchases of food, beverages, and merchandise; and maintaining strong product knowledge to assist customers.
• Accurately manage cash handling and financial procedures, including counting drawers, maintaining proper change, documenting internal purchases, and completing end‑of‑day cash and credit card reconciliation.
• Maintain an organized, clean, and fully stocked retail and guest services area by monitoring supplies, replenishing materials, and reordering as needed.
• Serve as an informed ambassador for Best Friends by creating/leading tours (as needed), sharing the organization’s history, mission, programs, policies, and animal care practices, and engaging guests in meaningful conversations about the work.
• Encourage guest involvement and support by promoting membership signups, advocacy, volunteering, Action Team participation, and inspiring engagement in the no‑kill movement.
• Participate in daily staff meetings and complete other related duties as assigned.

Skills and Experience

• A minimum of one year of work experience, preferably in a customer service role providing high‑quality customer service and engagement.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, team player, personable, professional, and able to get along with people from different backgrounds, as well as the ability to work cooperatively with a wide variety of associates, guests and visitors.
• Resourceful, get‑it‑done attitude; initiative to assist in any area or process; problem solving, seeking answers independently and enthusiastically; flexibility to persist until goals are achieved.
• Attention to detail with the ability to be flexible and adaptable to provide outstanding guest experiences.
• Ability to retain and relay large amounts of information, including product information as well as tour scripts to share information with guests.
• Able to handle a variety of tasks and requests with changing priorities and timelines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products – Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Previous experience with Point‑of‑Sale (POS) systems or the ability to learn is necessary.
• Self‑motivated to keep informed of facts about Best Friends news, events, and informational material to accurately relay them to visitors.
• Act as an Ambassador for Best Friends, including professionally advocate Best Friends’ position on issues.
• Bilingual or multi‑lingual skills are preferred but not required.
• Ability to drive a 14‑passenger van safely through varied weather and road conditions.

Physical Requirements

• Perform strenuous physical activity on a daily basis including bending, lifting up to 40 pounds, stooping, and kneeling as well as sitting and standing for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions to support guest needs and events, including baggage handling.
• Must be able to work around allergens like hay, dust, and animal fur and able to effectively interact with and handle most Sanctuary animals.
• Must have a valid driver's license for at least 3 years, ability to qualify to be added to Best Friends insurance.
• Ability to see clearly, read road signs and safely view changes in terrain.
• Ability to work a flexible, full‑time schedule including days, evenings, weekends and holidays.

*During the selection process, candidates may be asked to participate in a 2‑day onsite working interview.

Thank you for your interest in pursuing a career at Best Friends Animal Society.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Best Friends Animal Society is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or domestic partner status. Applicants for employment in the U.S. must have valid work authorization that does not now and/or will not in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S. by Best Friends Animal Society.

Who we are

Underneath the fur (and feathers) Best Friends believes in being kind to all, both two‑and four‑legged beings. Compassion drives our work to save the lives of animals. And it drives our daily lives. We do not judge. We respect one another. We embrace new ideas, solutions and differences. We welcome people from all backgrounds and appreciate where you are in your professional journey. We are quirky. We never take ourselves too seriously, and we know that humor is important in this field. We operate with love and seek to spread positivity. We are determined to create a safer, brighter world for homeless pets and to Save Them All.