Museum Summary
Plimoth Patuxet Museums is an outdoor, living history museum that provides powerful, personal encounters with history built on thorough research about the Wampanoag People and the Colonial English community in the 1600s. Today, Plimoth Patuxet provides an engaging and experiential outdoor and indoor learning environment on its main campus, at Mayflower II at State Pier on Plymouth’s waterfront, and at the Plimoth Grist Mill on Town Brook. Our permanent exhibits tell the complex and interwoven stories of two distinct people - English and Wampanoag. 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 is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees.
Position Summary
The Retail Sales Associate at Plimoth Patuxet Museums responds to customer inquiries, assists customers with locating the appropriate items, operates cash register (computer), provides change, handles transactions, packages items, restocks shelves and performs general housekeeping.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Provide a friendly and welcoming presence for all guests and coworkers throughout the Museum.
Will support the Museum’s mission, vision, core values and customer service.
Maximize sales potential by assisting customers with locating the appropriate products and suggesting items that might be of interest.
Process transactions.
Package items appropriately.
Working independently and with supervisor, arrange merchandise in a manner consistent with our merchandising plan.
Restock merchandise as needed.
General housekeeping: dusting, cleaning glass (displays and products), polish jewelry; maintain an overall attractive shop appearance.
If closing shop: Generate end-of-day reports, prepare end-of-day paperwork, close out credit cards and prepare bank deposit.
Develop familiarity and knowledge of product mix. Use knowledge of products, museum programs and of the Plymouth area to assist our guests.
Order product from stockroom as needed. Check in orders. Open and close the shop as scheduled.
Thanksgiving Day is an “All-Hands On” day.
This outline description focuses on the primary duties of the position. It is not designed nor intended to include all duties and responsibilities inherent in satisfactory performance of the position. Management reserves the right to revise this job description from time to time as needed.
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.
The skills, knowledge, abilities and personal characteristics that are essential to this job are:
Reliability, dependability and punctuality.
Patience and imperturbability.
Excellent interpersonal skills are essential. A good sense of humor will help to keep everything in perspective.
Ability to follow simple directions.
Attention to detail.
Personal accountability.
Being courteous.
Honesty.
Ability to work safely.
Possess a great degree of dexterity.
Ability to communicate skillfully with a wide range of people from different cultural and social backgrounds.
Ability to communicate skillfully with people of varying ages, language skills and physical abilities.
Ability to interpret and apply the information you learn.
Fluency in English, strong verbal skills, and ability to communicate clearly and engagingly with guests and colleagues.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing is essential.
Assume leadership role in initiating and advancing team programming.
Capacity to analyze, synthesize and accurately discuss varied primary and secondary historical sources, both documentary and material.
Ability to work independently, without direct supervision.
Education and Experience
Must be able to comprehend written and oral instruction and follow directions.
Additional Requirements
The Museum is open 7 days a week April through the end of November. You must be available to work Saturdays, Sundays and some holidays, including Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving Day is an “All-Hands On” day. The Museum’s typical hours are 9:00am - 5:00pm. Flexibility in work hours and days off is required. Depending on the season, this position may include working additional night/weekend hours or days as needed. Schedules may change based on weather forecast, and/or low attendance for any given day.
The Museum respects the religious, and cultural beliefs and practices of all employees. On request, The Museum will strive to make an accommodation for such observances when a reasonable accommodation is available, and does not create an undue hardship on the Museum.
Physical Requirements
The employee is required to sit, stand, crouch or kneel and lift up to 20 pounds. Employee is required to handle products of varied materials, some breakable. It may be necessary to use a stool or ladder while placing objects throughout the store.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
Work is generally sedentary in nature, but may require standing and/or walking for up to 20% of the time.
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.
Core Commitment
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 their interactions with the public and coworkers. This commitment helps to ensure that Plimoth Patuxet’s reputation for excellence is maintained and that we, as stewards of the Museum, are helping to create a relevant and sustainable future for Plimoth Patuxet. The core principles that guide us in our work are:
Safety and Comfort
Compassionate Customer Engagement
Professional Excellence
Personal Accountability
Create 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