IlluminOdyssey Retail Associate

IlluminOdyssey Retail Associate

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

Love science and wildlife? Want to make a difference every day in the lives of children and their families? If so, join our team!

Celebrating our 72nd year, CuriOdyssey is a children’s science museum and zoo located in the Coyote Point Recreation Area in San Mateo County, California, overlooking the San Francisco Bay. As a team member at CuriOdyssey, you will have the opportunity to share your love of science and wildlife with children and their families. At CuriOdyssey, we honor nature, have empathy for people and animals, and value STEAM education. We are proud to present unique experiences that help our guests connect with, and appreciate, the natural world.

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POSITION SUMMARY:

The IlluminOdyssey Retail Associate will primarily focus on the IlluminOdyssey Shop, inside IlluminOdyssey (our winter lights science exhibition), though they may occasionally be asked to work in The CuriOdyssey Shop, the primary gift shop at CuriOdyssey.

This position supports the goal of providing an excellent retail experience for our guests and generating optimal revenue through sales strategies.

The IlluminOdyssey Retail Associate should strive to boost sales, forge relationships with returning customers, work alongside the Visitor Engagement (VE) team to gather positive NPS data, create an organized and presentable sales floor, maintain meticulous back-of-house and understock, and welcome diverse audiences.

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ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Greets and serves store customers
• Manage daily retail and cash register operations while driving sales through engaging product demonstrations and strategic upselling
• Maintains a strong working knowledge of store stock
• Restocks merchandise, keeps displays and stock neat and appropriately displayed
• Operates Point of Sale system (using Altru) and Tap to Pay terminal
• Processes daily cash and credit card deposits, ensuring funds are secured in the museum safe
• Dusts and cleans counters, shelves, and displays
• Maintains strong working knowledge of Museum facilities and programs to answer inquiries
• Works to ensure the shop space is safe for guests to navigate, removing obstacles on the floor or narrowed aisles in this dark environment

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MARGINAL DUTIES:

• Provides support to the IlluminOdyssey Engagement Associate if they need to take a break or need assistance
• Possibly assists with lantern cleaning and collecting on low attendance days

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REQUIRED SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of common retail stocking, sales, and display techniques.
• Common mathematics including arithmetic, multiplication, subtraction, and division
• Operate POS, Tap to Pay terminals, and similar equipment
• Exercise independent judgment within established rules and guidelines when Supervisors are not immediately available
• Responsible cash handling
• Ability to provide the highest quality service to all customers in every interaction
• Communicate (listening and speaking) effectively with visitors, members, and employees of the Organization
• Maintain a positive, calm demeanor and professional manner with visitors at all times
• Demonstrate strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Strong attention to detail

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QUALIFICATIONS / EDUCATION / CERTIFICATES / EXPERIENCE:

• At least six months of retail sales experience
• Proficiency and knowledge of Microsoft Office products, Google Applications, and Inventory databases
• Previous experience with point-of-sale systems
• Live Scan background check clearance
• Must be at least 18 years old and eligible to work in the United States

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PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Standing regularly for extended periods
• Frequently lifting and/or carrying up to 25 lbs.
• Occasionally climbing stairs
• Regularly work in a dark space with some bright, flashing lights
• Regularly work in a space with children who may be laughing, screaming excitedly, or crying
• Noise level is Moderate to High depending on the day of the week, time of day, and number of programs on a particular day
• Music is regularly playing in the space

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PSYCHOLOGICAL DEMANDS:

The psychological demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Being interrupted frequently
• Regularly multi-tasking
• Regularly working as part of a team, while also working independently in the shop
• Occasionally dealing with upset or challenging guests/customers
• Regularly having to “think on your feet”
• Occasionally moving from one gift shop to another to support the whole team
• Occasionally asked for schedule flexibility to meet the needs of the Organization

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COMPENSATION, SCHEDULE & BENEFITS

• $21.00/hour
• This is a non-exempt, part-time/temporary position starting October 30, 2026.
• The general work schedule is 8 hours per day, 9:00am – 5:30pm, with days to be determined during the hiring process.
• All employees receive mandated benefits as required by law (e.g., Paid Sick Leave, Social Security, workers’ compensation). However, as a temporary employee, you are not eligible for any additional benefits (e.g., vacation, personal time, health insurance, etc.).

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CuriOdyssey seeks to build a diverse work team and encourages applications from candidates who will add to that diversity. CuriOdyssey is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to age, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application or interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact [email protected].

Pay: $21.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Work Location: In person