Gift Shop/Operations

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The Oak Park Conservatory’s Gift Shop is a year-round source for environmental friendly gardening & nature-related products for children and adults. The Gift Shop features: nature & gardening related books for children, games, crafts and toys, miniature gardening & terrarium supplies, Conservatory grown plants & seasonal items such as fall bulbs & winter greens.

Key Responsibilities:
In the Gift Shop

• Greet customer as they enter the gift shop.
• Become familiar with gift shop product lines.
• Answer questions about merchandise.
• Process sales on cash register.
• Restock shelves and assist in keeping the shop clean and orderly.
• Assist in taking monthly inventory.
• Restock, water, and tend to gift shop plants.

Outside the Gift Shop

• Clean, check, organize, restock and keep inventory of free children materials. Set out materials each morning at opening and ensure materials are organized and put away at close, daily.
• Exploration backpacks
• Scavenger Hunt clipboards
• Onsite Library
• Conservatory coloring sheets
• Discovery Garden tools
• Hand out stickers to children
• Restock pamphlet/brochure racks as assigned by Conservatory Director.
• Other duties as assigned by Conservatory or FOPCON staff.

• Ability to handle money.
• Basic math skills.
• Operate a computerized cash register.
• Outgoing, courteous, friendly, and positive attitude.
• Patient, with ability to assist the public, including small children.
• Dependability.
• Frequent sitting, bending, standing, reaching.
• Lift heavy items to the best of your ability.

Commitment

• One day per week for three hours, from 10am until 1pm, or 1pm until 4pm, ideally for a minimum of six months but we would be willing to consider volunteers interested in only working through the end of the year (holiday season). May include weekends.
• Reports to Conservatory Receptionist or Volunteer and Program Coordinator.

• Business Casual. Keep in mind that you are representing the Oak Park Conservatory and the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory. Be sure to wear your name tag.

Training

Training consists of a tutorial to use the cash register and a general overview of where goods, plants for restocking, materials, are located. Any plant-related questions should be referred to the Horticulture Supervisor or Director of Horticulture.

Support

Training for this position will be provided. Also, the Conservatory Receptionist will be available for questions and assistance.