Seasonal Retail Associate

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is currently searching for Seasonal Retail Associates to work 20-25 hours/week (approximately mid-May through September 2023) in our two WHOI Stores in Woods Hole, MA. WHOI Seasonal Retail Associates support the day-to-day operations of the WHOI Ocean Science Discovery Center Store and the WHOI Visitor Center Store to ensure smooth daily operations at both locations.

These positions are temporary (seasonal), casual, non-exempt positions, and are eligible for casual benefits

The internal title for these positions is Discovery Center Assistant

Customer Service/Retail Operations:

• Professionally welcome visitors and provide informative and accurate information about WHOI and the village of Woods Hole to all.
• In-store merchandise sales and online orders processing (picking, packing & shipping).
• Restocking, folding, pricing, helping to maintain accurate inventories, cleans displays and exhibits and other tasks as directed.
• Ability to independently open and close the stores as needed.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some holidays and weekends. Store hours vary throughout the season and shifts range from 4 hours to 6.5 hours per day.
• Able to take direction with a strong attention to detail.
• Physical requirements: Physical duties for this position include, but are not limited to, lifting, and carrying 25-50 pounds 10 times a day and frequent prolonged standing/walking. Other physical requirements include kneeling, bending, stooping, twisting, use of hands for basic and fine grasping/manipulation, pushing, pulling, and reaching above and below the shoulders. Occupational requirements include depth perception, near, far, and peripheral vision as well as ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing, talking, working around others, and working with others. There may be exposure to dust or other irritants.

• Experience working with the public in a retail environment preferred.
• Familiarity with retail POS systems and operations is a plus.
• Familiarity with WHOI, Woods Hole and the vicinity is a plus

• WHOI has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy in effect, where you must register your full vaccination status [vaccination plus booster] in order to begin your employment. The registration process is confidential and entails submitting your official vaccination records, or requesting to engage in the interactive exemption process for either a medical or religious reason. 

Physical duties for this position include, but are not limited to, lifting, and carrying 25-50 pounds 10 times a day and frequent prolonged standing/walking. Other physical requirements include kneeling, bending, stooping, twisting, use of hands for basic and fine grasping/manipulation, pushing, pulling, and reaching above and below the shoulders. Occupational requirements include depth perception, near, far, and peripheral vision as well as ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing, talking, working around others, and working with others. There may be exposure to dust or other irritants.