Position Title: Gift Shop Assistant
Department/Unit: A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum
Reports To: Julie Stark and Jocelyn-Emily Blake
Employment Type: Work Study Student Employee
Work Study Eligibility Requirement: Not applicable for summer
Pay Rate: $14.50/hour
Term of Employment: Summer (May 1 through August 29, 2026), possibly into Fall semester depending on class schedule/availability
Application Link: https://forms.gle/jBampbzYRD4Xqn5SA
Position Overview
The Gift Shop Assistant position is focused on retail sales, and sales inventory. Students must be dependable with a strong work ethic and committed to developing strong interpersonal skills and to providing excellent customer service.
Learning Outcomes
Through this position, the student employee will develop competencies aligned with the NACE Career Readiness Competencies that support Michigan Tech’s Essential Abilities.
- Communication – Practice verbal, written, and non-verbal communication with diverse customers
- Professionalism – Demonstrate accountability, reliability, and professional behavior
Position-Specific Skills
- Customer service excellence
- Inventory management
Reflection and Growth
Students will be assessed by their supervisor on their progress toward learning outcome goals and are encouraged to engage in regular reflection activities (and encouraged to record them in their MTU e-portfolio) to:
- Articulate their learning and skill development
- Connect work experiences to academic and career goals
- Build confidence in discussing their capabilities with future employers
Essential Job Responsibilities
Listed in order of priority/frequency
Primary Duties
- Completing admission and gift shop sales on a point-of-sale system for customers. This includes providing a brief introduction to the museum and safely packing up any purchased items.
- Assist with the gift shop’s inventory by stocking the gift shop in an attractive manner, lifting full boxes (minerals, supplies, etc.), cleaning in the gift shop and gallery, labeling and organizing inventory.
- Assist in inventory management by completing assigned inventories.
Secondary Duties
- Clean the outside copper pavilion and rock garden (not during winter)
- Data entry into spreadsheets and creation of Word/Excel documents.
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift 40 pounds/18 kilograms
- This job requires walking, standing, and sitting.
- This job utilizes rolling ladders and standard step ladders.
Schedule Requirements
- Minimum 8 hours per week, maximum 32-40 hours per week
- May availability for Monday through Saturday 8:45 am to 5:15 pm in May.
- June, July and August availability for Sunday through Saturday 8:45 am to 5:15 pm Unless Saturday and/or Sunday only is requested, an employee can expect to work 2 to 4 weekend days a month.
- Saturday and Sunday availability required. Special after hour events occur 1 to 2 times a semester.
- Minimum 4-hour blocks preferred
Skills and Experience
Required:
- Demonstrated dependability through either volunteering or work experience.
Preferred:
- Customer service experience, especially in a retail environment.
- Experience processing payments and using a point of sale system.
- Demonstrated knowledge of rocks and minerals.
Work Environment
- The student must provide their own transportation to and from the museum, which is located on the southern edge of campus at 1404 E. Sharon Avenue near the football stadium and softball fields.
- Inside the museum has heat and air conditioning, and is generally low to medium volume, but at peak visitation the sound of visitors increases and becomes more constant. As weather permits work is expected in a non-temperature controlled outer building and outside in the rock garden and copper pavilion.
- Rocks and minerals can be heavy and sharp; care when handling is required.
How to Apply:
Please fill out this Google Form to apply for this position.
Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.