Garden Shop Assistant

The Garden Shop Assistant works at the Botanical Garden Plant Shop, and the shops at the Conservatory of Flowers. This position shows a passion for gardens or the natural world and brings this experience to the public through their knowledge of the books, products and plants offered in the shops.

This position engages directly with visitors and plays a critical role in creating a good first impression as well as excellent overall visitor experience. Their focus is to create a warm and welcoming space for visitors, staff and volunteers as well as support broader institutional efforts and maximize revenue.

These shops are setup outdoors on a daily basis. The Garden Shop Assistant is in charge of operating the Garden Shops, as assigned. They provide exceptional customer service, generate sales, and supervise volunteers. The ideal candidate would be friendly, flexible, and creative with retail experience working with plants and/or books. The Garden Shop Assistant works both independently and part of a team that includes the Retail Manager, the Plant Shop Coordinator, other Garden Assistants, and volunteers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Arrive on time and be ready to work when shift begins.

• Prepare soil/ground for spring flower planting.

• Select, plant, water, weeding, fertilize and prune all flowers and shrubs to create a beautiful, hardy floral environment. Plant bulbs as needed.

• Weed and cultivate flower beds on a regular basis to ensure a clean, attractive resort environment.

• Dead-head annual flowers regularly to create prolific blooming.

• Water the grounds by hand when necessary.

• Clean out dead annual flowers. Prune shrubs at appropriate times and as needed.

• Control pests by safely using appropriate insecticides and pest control devices.

• Generate sales through authentic interactions

• Provide exceptional customer service and visitor experience

• Set-up and break down outdoor shops daily

• Organize store merchandise and displays

• Creative and pro-active problem-solving

• Support online shop by fulfilling online sales and maintaining online store inventory

• Willing to answer scheduling requests promptly

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Retail experience, preferably in book and/or plant sales

• Exceptional customer service skills and genuine enthusiasm for engaging visitors and members

• Highly communicative, with excellent written and oral communications skills

• Excellent organizational skills and willingness to get hands dirty

• Self-motivated and collaborative, with ability to work alone and part of a team

• Independent and creative with interest in gaining experience and growing into role

• Able to stay calm under pressure and adapt easily to changing situations and priorities, strong professional judgment and work ethic

• A well-defined sense of diplomacy, including solid negotiation, conflict resolution, and people management skills

• Experience with online stores, photography, and social media a plus

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google suites

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $19.33 - $23.27 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Supplemental pay types:

• Commission pay

Work Location: In person