| Portland Japanese Garden – a 501(c)(3) non-profit in Portland, Oregon – is hiring for a part-time Seasonal Retail Associate. The Seasonal Retail Associates are responsible for assisting with the overall operation of the Retail department, with a focus on customer service and cash handling in the Gift Shops. The Seasonal Retail Associates report to the Retail Manager. This position works from the primary Garden campus, located at 611 SW Kingston Ave.
This seasonal position begins on or after May 5th, 2025, and extends through at least September 8th, 2025. There is a vacation restriction period from Memorial Day (May 26th) through Labor Day (September 1st).
Primary Duties
- Work on the retail floor regularly, assisting with sales, answering customer questions, and providing stellar customer service
- Follow standard cash handling and credit card transaction procedures and policies
- Pro-actively answer and solve visitor/customer inquiries in person and by phone
- Responsible for maintaining appearance and inventory of the Gift Shop for optimal sales, including regular housekeeping, organizing, and monitoring stock levels of products and supplies
- Participate in maintaining store signage, product handouts, and the product information binder (for Gift Shop and Retail events in conjunction with Retail managers)
- Utilize knowledge about the Garden and Garden events in the selling of products
- Participate in organizing and maintaining stockroom and shipping area in conjunction with Retail managers
- Participate in receiving activity including stickering and stocking
- Act as a role model for the Garden’s service standards, including excellent work ethic, outstanding customer service, dress code, and personal appearance
- Attend regular Retail department meetings and other Garden meetings as required
- Acquire and maintain current knowledge about the Garden and Garden events
- Other duties as assigned
Other Responsibilities
- Familiarize oneself with the organization and the Employee Handbook
- Get to know fellow staff members, developing trust, establishing credibility, encouraging teamwork, and creating an atmosphere of open, honest, two-way communication
- Serve as a role model for Garden volunteers, providing support and encouragement to volunteers in their roles across the Garden
- Maintain a high level of professionalism in manner and appearance
- Adhere to Garden Dress Code and wear Garden uniform (black pants, black t-shirt, black or brown shoes, and Garden-provided Happi coat)
Qualifications
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the position, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and qualifications for this role.
- Entry-level position, with 1-2 years of retail experience preferred
- Excellent customer service and cash-handling skills
- Attention to detail in a fast-paced retail environment
- Proficient on a computer
- Familiarity with point-of-sale programs and other programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook preferred
Special Requirements
- Flexible work schedule and able to accommodate changing Garden needs, including working weekends, evenings, and occasional overtime
- Must be comfortable lifting up to 40lbs
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position and/or move about the Gift Shops for several hours
- Knowledge of Japanese culture and/or bilingual in Japanese is a plus
Compensation & Schedule
- Wage: $19.14/hour
- This is a seasonal, part-time, hourly position with approximately 16-28 hours per week. Regular shifts may vary depending on Garden events but are typically 8 hours (plus ½ hour lunch,) between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm, Wednesday – Monday (occasional Tuesdays).
- This position will support our summer marketplace Behind the Shoji starting June 15th, 2025, hours will increase to 32-40 hours per week.
- The Gift Shop’s hours of operation are typically 9:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Portland Japanese Garden is closed on Tuesdays.
- Benefits:
- a household membership to the Garden
- reciprocal access to other area attractions, such as Portland Art Museum, OMSI, and Oregon Zoo
- a 30% discount on most items in the gift shop
- incentives for using alternative transportation to commute to work
- free access to the Employee Assistance Program
- paid sick time
- eligible for the company 401k plan upon completion of 500 hours in the first 6 months of employment (4% employer match after 1 year of service)
Transportation
The Garden is located at 611 SW Kingston Avenue, in Washington Park. Below are the transportation options for staff commuting to the Garden:
- Parking: Staff may park in the pay-to-park spaces throughout Washington Park. The cost is $8/day, or staff may request parking permits from Washington Park. The Garden subsidizes a portion of the cost for parking permits; the cost for staff is $75/month during the high season (March – September) and $50/month during the low season (October – February).
- Bus Passes: For staff who take public transit as their primary means of commuting to the Garden, we provide paid bus passes. Full-time staff receive a monthly TriMet pass, and part-time staff receive daily passes, based on their work schedule.
- Transportation Stipend: Staff who take any form of alternative transit to get to work qualify for a $5 daily stipend. This includes taking public transit, walking, biking, carpooling, or getting dropped off. The only staff who do not qualify for the stipend are those who are receiving a bus pass through the Garden.
Union Information
This position is part of an ongoing bargaining unit set to establish a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and as such the incumbent will be bound by the language of said agreement and party to all benefits, dues, and requirements associated with being a member of a union and the (CBA).
Applications
To apply, please submit a resume and three work-related references through our online Career Center. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please no phone calls or hand-delivered applications. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
All submitted applications will be held in confidence.
We encourage all potential applicants to watch our video entitled “Come to Understand: Welcome to Portland Japanese Garden” (5:56 minutes). |
