Park Store Associate

Position: Park Store Associate

Location: Greater Yellowstone National Park Area as Assigned

Reports To: Park Store Manager

Status: Seasonal / Full-time / Non-Exempt

Summary Description:

Yellowstone Forever (YF) is the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park. Our mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance Yellowstone National Park through education and philanthropy. YF connects people to Yellowstone through outstanding visitor experiences and educational programs and translates those experiences into lifelong support of the park and philanthropic investment in its future. Our educational programming and products help people enhance their understanding and appreciation of the wildlife, natural wonders, and cultural history of the park. YF’s operations include Park Stores in and around Yellowstone; the Yellowstone Forever Institute, which offers in-depth educational programing for people of all ages; and a supporter program which raises funds for priority park projects.

The Park Store Associate has a critical role in the daily operation of Yellowstone Forever Park stores at visitor centers and contact stations throughout the Greater Yellowstone National Park Area. The associate represents “the face” of the organization by working on the front lines and often in partnership with naturalist rangers from the National Park Service. Associates assist and engage visitors with purchases of educational products, explain our supporter program and recruit new members, and help answer visitor questions about Yellowstone National Park. Success in this position requires outstanding visitor/customer service skills and a passion for Yellowstone National Park and its preservation and sharing that passion with others.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Actively greet visitors and be familiar with all merchandise to assist customers in making purchases
• Actively promote Yellowstone Forever’s supporter program and encourage visitors to participate by offering the opportunity to join to as many customers as possible
• Become an advocate for Yellowstone Forever Institute and the classes and course offerings and promote them to our customers and supporters
• Ring up sales using a Point of Sale (POS) computer system
• Be comfortable with technology and problem solving to provide superior customer service
• Complete daily cash reports
• Respond to questions about the park by providing accurate information or, when necessary, referring the visitor to another source
• Stock and clean the store and keep it held to the highest presentation standards
• Work collaboratively with staff across the organization and cooperating partners
• Represent Yellowstone Forever and its mission accurately and positively 
• Foster a collaborative, team-oriented environment with YF employees, volunteers, and partners
• Travel into Yellowstone, throughout the Greater Yellowstone area and other locations, as required
• Other tasks as assigned by Park Store Manager, Park Stores Operations Manager, Retail Operations Manager, or other designated leadership 
• Have a passion for creating and delivering a superior customer experience
• Work collaboratively within the Yellowstone Forever organization to ensure that operations within the store are carried out in accordance with Yellowstone Forever’s procedures and standards

Basic Qualifications:  

• High school graduation or G.E.D.
• Demonstrated customer service skills
• Proficiency in using computers and internet applications
• Ability to proficiently use a cash register and adding machine
• Ability to accurately handle cash and complete daily closing reports
• Ability to work at elevations approaching 8,000 feet 
• Strong commitment to the mission of Yellowstone Forever
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include nights and weekends
• Ability to lift boxes/equipment weighing up to 40 pounds (with support of lift equipment)
• Ability to represent YF in a courteous and professional manner
• This position may involve driving vehicles, therefore applicants must hold and maintain a valid US driver’s license, and maintain a favorable driving record for insurance purposes
• A satisfactory criminal background check are conditions of employment

Preferred Qualifications:  

• POS and retail experience
• Experience working in a non-profit environment
• Knowledge of Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone Forever is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, political beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.