Kitt Peak Visitor Center Gift Shop Customer Service Representative

The Kitt Peak Visitor Center (KPVC) is comprised of the museum, retail gift shop, the four Kitt Peak Visitor Center (KPVC) telescopes and the NOIRLab Windows on the Universe Center for Astronomy Outreach (Windows Center) with its Science on Sphere (SoS), 3 Heliostats and future planetarium. The KPVC operates as an integral part of the Communications, Education & Engagement (CEE) unit under the matrixed supervision of the Head of CEE and the Director of Mid-Scale Observatories (MSO).

The KPVC Gift Shop customer service representative serves as the public face of Kitt Peak National Observatory to visitors and callers. Our diverse visitor base comes from 6 continents and all 50 states. We are seeking two exceptional, reliable Cashiers to join our team and professionally carry out the assigned duties in the Kitt Peak Visitor Center and Gift Shop, which is open 362 days annually. The opportunity is part-time, and hours van vary seasonally. 

Essential Functions:

• Opens and operates Kitt Peak Visitor Center and Gift Shop on all assigned mornings and shuts down on assigned afternoons/evenings.
• Operates Point of Sale (POS) cash register to sell, exchange or return merchandise, adjusting inventory, and producing a variety of reports, accurately process all transactions, performs precise cash and change counting, and carefully tracks receipts and other retail or visitor program documents.
• Sell tickets for Visitor Center program and tours using Eventbrite tablet
• Pleasantly and promptly greets all visitors in person and by phone and assists visitors and answers a wide variety of questions by the general public, docents, and other staff.
• Receives new or restock supplies of inventory, enters items into the POS, prints barcodes, attaches labels, and restocks retail merchandise. Prepares merchandise shipments and assists with returns.
• Actively assists with annual inventory of merchandise performed every September.
• Works closely and cooperatively with the Visitor Center’s Assistant Manager and the Visitor Center Operations Manager.
• All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area, whether assigned to them or someone else. This responsibility includes reporting any known missing, stolen, or non-working property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property Officer. For detailed information on proper custodial care of government property, refer to the AURA Employee Handbook.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with government award terms and conditions assigned to this position or subordinates of this position as defined in the Vela Award Management system.

Other Functions:

• Other duties as assigned

Required Education/Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
• At least two years of experience in a commercial or nonprofit retail setting with use of a computerized cash register (POS), accurate counting of cash, keeping control of all receipts, and precisely following daily accounting procedures.
• Must be willing to work most weekends and some holidays.
• Ability to engage the public with enthusiasm and tact and respond professionally to unusual or unexpected situations. This includes maintaining the confidentiality of information pertaining to staff, docents, and customers.
• Ability to work politely and professionally as a team player with other staff and departments.
• Able to stand for extended periods of time, climb stairs, lift and carry 35 pounds, and comfortably speak and work at 6,800 feet altitude. Able to work closely with woven and other Tohono O’odham crafts composed of grasses, roots, or other biologic materials.
• Ability to quickly learn the correct use of a wide variety of computer functions especially email, internet, program scheduling, docent forum, and cash register programs.
• CPR and AED certification will be required and will be provided by NOIRLab.
• Satisfactory completion of all other required safety training provided by NOIRLab.
• Strong self-motivation to remain productive and engaged when the supervisor is not present.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk; or hear. 
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl. 
• The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 
• Must possess - sufficient mobility, strength, or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward, sideways, downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems, fax machines, copiers, and other office machines. 
• Must possess – 1) ability to read and understand instructions, drawings, safety guides, and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity to perform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eye glasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions, warning bells, fire alarms, or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately
• Kitt Peak: Ability to work at 6,800’ and may be required to extend worktime and/or stay overnight at Kitt Peak based on emergency operational and/or safety needs.  

Preference will be given to qualified internal candidates and qualified Native Americans living on or near the Tohono O'odham reservation. 

Salary Range: $17.20/hr. 

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions, competitive salary commensurate with experience, and a very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found at https://hr.aura-astronomy.org/benefits-by-location/.

How to Apply: 

The position will remain open until it is filled. To be considered in the first round of reviews, please submit your application by March 21, 2025. 

• Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume, PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: Lastname Docname. 
• Application documents that are not uploaded as part of the application may be sent to employment@aura-astronomy.org. 

Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistance at employment@aura-astronomy.org 

Salary : $17