Gift Store and Visitor Services Coordinator

Job Title: Gift Store and Visitor Services Coordinator

Reports to: Discovery Center Manager

Direct Reports: None

Status:  Full-time at-will employment

Hours: Thursday through Monday 8:00am - 4:30pm, Must work holidays (Closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day)

Location: Big Bear Discovery Center, 40971 Hwy 38/North Shore Drive, Fawnskin, CA

Introduction to the Organization

The Southern California Mountains Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that believes connecting communities to our public lands is the key to their survival. We mobilize individuals to inspire and engage in environmental citizenship. The Southern California Mountains Foundation supports youth development through conservation initiatives integrating environmental education, training and hands-on service projects;  protects our natural resources through adult and family-led programming; and provides interpretive services that focus on outdoor recreation, responsible use, and stewardship of our natural environment.  The Southern California Mountains Foundation consists of 45 full-time staff,  75-100 part-time employees and 450 volunteers.  We achieve our mission through seven programs: (1) Urban Conservation Corps of the Inland Empire, (2) Big Bear Discovery Center, (3) Off-Highway Vehicles, (4) Fire Lookouts, (5) National Children’s Forest/Great Seeds Restoration, (6) Music in the Mountains and (7) Big Bear Trails.

Introduction to the Discovery Center 

Opened in 1998, the Big Bear Discovery Center is the largest visitor center in the Big Bear Valley. Stop by and be one of the more than 100,000 yearly visitors to experience exhibits, weekly programs, eco-tours. Enjoy special events like outdoor concerts, theater productions, and nighttime interpretive programs in the Big Bear Discovery Center Amphitheater.

Job Description

The Gift Store & Visitor Services Coordinator oversees the daily operations of the Big Bear Discovery Center Gift Store, ensuring smooth sales transactions, optimal inventory management, and high-quality customer service. This role also manages the visitor information desk, providing accurate and helpful information to guests and promoting educational programs, events, and volunteer opportunities.

Essential functions and duties will include

Gift Store Operations:

• Oversee all aspects of gift store operations, including merchandising, inventory management, and financial transactions.


• Manage Point of Sale (POS) system for merchandise sales, memberships, concert tickets, and eco-tour bookings.


• Manage online store sales, maintain a separate stock of merchandise, add inventory to online store and fulfill online orders


• Monitor inventory levels, reorder stock as needed, and maintain an organized, appealing retail space.


• Develop and implement sales strategies to increase revenue and enhance customer experience.


• Maintain and organize surplus inventory, keep storage room organized and clean 


• Assist with quarterly inventory review.


• Train, supervise, and schedule gift store volunteers and seasonal staff.


• Work alongside and motivate volunteers and interns of all ages and demographics to enhance the visitor experience in the gift store. 

Visitor Services Management:

• Manage the visitor information desk, ensuring guests receive accurate information about the Discovery Center, San Bernardino National Forest, and local recreation opportunities.


• Respond to public inquiries via phone, email, and in-person interactions.


• Promote Discovery Center programs, concerts, eco-tours, and volunteer opportunities.

Administrative Duties:

• Maintain accurate sales and inventory records using Clover, Google Drive and Excel.


• Ensure compliance with safety protocols and organizational policies.


• Customer Service & Community Engagement:


• Deliver excellent customer service and foster a welcoming environment for all visitors.


• Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the organization

Competencies 

• Demonstrate ability to work effectively and tactfully with a wide range of individuals, personalities, and public agencies.


• Demonstrate leadership ability and experience building and managing successful team efforts. 


• Organized and Self-Sufficient: Excellent organizational skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.  Excellent time management and project management skills.  


• A passion for the personal, social, and economic benefits of outdoor recreation.  Knowledge of the San Bernardino Mountains geography preferred.  


• Positive can-do attitude.  Personable and outgoing with excellent communication skills. Ability to professionally represent programs and projects.  


• Public Speaking: Good at speaking to both individuals and large groups of people.


• Computer Savvy: working knowledge of contemporary technology, file sharing, and working knowledge of contemporary office technology including word, excel, email, gps applications, and the internet.  


• Problem Solver: Ability to analyze situations, develop strategies, and implement solutions.


• Versatile and Flexible; time will be spent both inside doing desk work and outside physical field work. 

Requirements:

• Retail management experience preferred, particularly in gift shops or nonprofit organizations. Must be dependable and responsible, expected to work all weekends and holidays. 


• Proficiency in POS systems


• Possession of a valid Class C California driver’s license 


• Working knowledge of computers and possession of a cell phone with which to maintain communication


• Understanding of Big Bear Valley and SBNF recreational opportunities preferred.


• A candidate should show evidence of the following characteristics: hard working, problem solver, flexibility, positive outlook, creativity, concern for community safety, good interpersonal skills, a willing attitude, adaptability, decision making skills, maturity, integrity, and approachability


• CPR/First Aid training certification is preferred


• Position requires prolonged or intermittent sitting, standing, walking/hiking on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, lifting, stooping and crouching.  The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing reports and using a computer keyboard and hand tools in the performance of daily duties.  The need to lift, carry, push and pull materials up to 50 pounds is required. When working outdoors the incumbent may encounter extreme weather conditions; including wet, hot, cold, wind, snow, ice and heavy vehicle traffic.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate when indoors and moderate to loud when outdoors.


• Candidates must be able to see in the normal visual range with or without correction and hear in the normal range with or without correction. Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth and perception. Hearing requirements include the ability to properly use a telephone while around groups of people to communicate with other personnel.

Compensation: Pay Rate $22-26 hr depending on experience

The Southern California Mountains Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status, or any other protected class.