Gift Shop Associate
Position: Full-time, seasonal (June 1 - October 15), non-exempt
Salary & Benefits: Starting at $17.00-20.00 per hour based on skills & experience, plus participation in the Staff Appreciation Fund bonus program. Includes free lodging & meals at Great Camp Sagamore if desired; paid sick leave; participation in Sagamore’s SIMPLE retirement plan after 1 season.
About Great Camp Sagamore
Great Camp Sagamore is a 17-acre National Historic Landmark and is one of the first of the nationally renowned Adirondack “Great Camps,” located in one of the most remote areas of the Adirondack Park. Today, Great Camp Sagamore is owned, preserved, and operated by Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks (SIA). We are an educational, private, non-profit institution dedicated to stewarding Great Camp Sagamore as a welcoming place for educational and recreational programs and fostering connections to history, nature, and community.
Sagamore welcomes guests from late May through late October and on two separate days during the winter. Guests come from around the world to take tours, participate in overnight and day experiences, attend conferences, get married, host family reunions, and enjoy concerts.
Working at Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks
SIA employs a core group of year-round staff members and additional seasonal staff to support our on-campus programs and activities. During the season, most staff members live on campus with meals provided. We maintain a collaborative work environment where all staff members are expected to lead by example, work closely together positively, and foster a safe, encouraging, and enjoyable workplace.
The Institute is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment that empowers all staff members to grow and be active within decision-making spaces. We are committed to ensuring an anti-racist culture and a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. SIA does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender expression, sexual identity, sexual orientation, race, class, color, age, ethnicity, first language, religion or belief, family, marital, parental, military, or veteran status. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, discipline, termination, compensation, benefits, training, and professional development.
At Great Camp Sagamore, all employees help to facilitate camp offerings. In addition to one’s job-specific duties, other tasks may be assigned, as needed, to support camp operations for the employee’s department or other camp departments.
Position Description
The Gift Shop at Great Camp Sagamore welcomes thousands of visitors and overnight guests each year, serving as the gateway for tour-goers and a place for guests to take a piece of Sagamore home with them. We are seeking a responsible and personable Gift Shop Associate to perform daily retail operations, greet guests, maintain the physical space, and assist in inventory management.
General responsibilities of the Gift Shop Associate include:
- Opening and closing the Gift Shop, including reconciling the cash drawer
- Greeting and checking in visitors for daily tours and events
- Cashing out customers
- Maintaining a welcoming environment by playing music, making coffee, and engaging in friendly conversation with visitors
- Monitoring inventory, including accurate stock counts, and communicating with the Operations Manager to reorder merchandise
- Keeping the physical space of the Gift Shop clean, organized, and well-stocked
- Answering general questions about camp, programs, etc.
This role is ideal for someone with previous customer service and/or retail experience, a welcoming demeanor, and a responsible work ethic. Because of the daily tour schedule and physical location of the Gift Shop, the Gift Shop Associate must be self-motivated, independent, and organized. There are often visitation lulls during which administrative tasks, tidying up, and restocking can be done.
The Gift Shop Associate reports to the Operations Manager and also works with Sagamore’s Historical Interpreters and Finance Manager. This position runs from late May through late October. The standard work schedule is eight hours per day, five days per week. Days off are arranged so that employees have two days off.
Preferred Skills and Experiences
- ≥ 1 year of experience in customer service and/or retail, including handling cash, is required
- Strong, friendly communication skills, including with strangers
- Strong organizational and math skills
- Experience with Square POS and/or FareHarbor is preferred, but not required
- A positive attitude and strong work ethic that suits the nature of working at Great Camp Sagamore
- First Aid and CPR certification is preferred, but not required
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift and carry 30lbs
- Ability to stand for long periods of time
- Ability to walk up and down 2 flights of stairs
- Ability to traverse gravel roads/paths and uneven terrain at least ½ mile per day
Additional Perks
When off duty, staff have access to the camp’s facilities and amenities, including the Boat House canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards, and access to the 12 miles of foot trails adjacent to the property. Staff receive a discount in the Gift Shop, and staff members’ friends and extended family members may enjoy tours, meals, and overnight accommodations at reduced costs.
How to apply
- Submit an application form via our website: www.sagamore.org/employment
- The hiring team will review your application and contact you to let you know whether you will be moving forward in the process.
- Advancing applicants will be invited to participate in the interview process, including phone and/or virtual interviews.
- Selected candidates will be sent an offer letter and new-hire information.
