Guest Experience Associate, Retail

Museum Summary

Plimoth Patuxet Museums is a living history museum of the 17th-century that provides engaging and experiential outdoor and indoor learning environments on its main campus, and at Mayflower II on Plymouth’s waterfront, and at the Plimoth Grist Mill. Our permanent exhibits tell the complex and interwoven stories of two distinct cultures - English and Wampanoag.

Operating on a remarkable property overlooking Cape Cod Bay, Plimoth Patuxet brings the story of the United States’ early foundation to life for hundreds of thousands of visitors each year since its founding in 1947. The main exhibits are enhanced with an exciting array of special events, public programs and workshops that offer a rich and diverse exploration of the 17th-century.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees.

Position Summary

Plimoth Patuxet’s Museum Gift Shops provide an interesting and fun opportunity to meet people from around the country and the world. Guest Experience Associates (GEA) provide retail experiences that delight our guests. The GEA’s goal is to sell merchandise by creating a friendly, welcoming and inclusive environment, engaging guests in hands-on demonstrations of products, and sharing product knowledge.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Create engaging shopping experiences that delight our guests; for example, demonstrating how a product works, offering samples of food products, or making items when possible.

  • In all interactions with guests and coworkers, apply PPM’s “I/You” customer service style, providing welcoming and inclusive experiences for all.

  • Maintain a clean and attractive shop by filling and neatening displays, dusting, folding apparel, cleaning glass cases.

  • Actively sell merchandise by helping guests find items they need or may like based on their interests.

  • Upsell and cross sell merchandise to increase the amount of sales.

  • Ring up sales on the cash register, handle transactions, issue receipts, place merchandise in appropriate bag(s).

  • Share your knowledge and skills with guests and coworkers, offering help where needed to build a positive working environment.

  • Learn about the merchandise in the shops in order to help guests find what they’re looking for.

This description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of key responsibilities of the job as it is at present, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description may be reviewed by management at any time either to ensure that it relates to the job currently being performed, or to incorporate changes. Management reserves the right to change a job description; and if/when doing so will discuss with the employee so that any changes are understood by the employee.

Required Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Friendly, outgoing person who genuinely enjoys meeting new people.

  • Attention to detail.

  • Motivated by a sense of accomplishment both as an individual and as part of a successful team.

  • Willing to learn new skills on the job and apply them in your interactions with guests and coworkers.

  • Excellent communication skills.

  • Must be able to work one weekend day and some holidays, April through November, including Thanksgiving.

  • Inclusive, positive, creative, and willing to learn on the job.

  • A team player with a flexible approach

Education and Experience

  • High School / GED

  • Must be able to comprehend written and oral instruction and follow directions.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Duties may include:

  • Ability to stand for long periods of time, bend, stretch, engage in repetitive motions, move and carry items for a short distance.

  • Employees are required to handle products of varied materials, some breakable.

  • Some products have strong fragrances; some are made of animal products such as fur or leather.

  • Ability to lift up to 15 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

  • The working environment is generally favorable. Lighting and temperature are adequate, and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc.

  • Work is generally performed within an office environment, with standard office equipment.

Additional Requirements

The Museum is open 7 days a week April through the end of November. You must be available to work Saturdays or Sundays and some holidays, including Thanksgiving Day. Typical hours during the Museum’s Open Season (March-November) are 9:00am - 5:00pm, five days a week through the end of November. Flexibility in work hours and days off is required. Depending on the season, this position may include working occasional evening hours as needed.

Position Type and Salary

  • Part-time, seasonal
  • $15/hour

Core Commitments

Whether part-time or full-time, year-round or seasonal, all staff and volunteers at Plimoth Patuxet advance the Museum’s educational mission and strategic goals. They uphold the Museum’s core values and principles in their work and in all of their interactions with the public and with coworkers. This commitment helps to ensure that Plimoth Patuxet’s reputation for excellence is maintained and that, as stewards of the Museum, we are helping to create a relevant and sustainable future for Plimoth Patuxet Museums. The core principles that guide us in our work are:

  • Safety and Comfort

  • Compassionate Customer Experience

  • Professional Excellence

  • Personal Accountability

  • Advance a Culture of Philanthropy

  • Teamwork

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by submitting a PDF file of your resume, and cover letter to apply@plimoth.org, or by submitting them by US mail to the following address:

Plimoth Patuxet Museums
Attn: Human Resources
137 Warren Avenue
Plymouth, MA 02360