Gardenshop Retail Associate

Company: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Location: Boothbay
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is hiring Retail Associates in our Gardenshop! Are you a people person with customer service experience, excited about inspiring meaningful connections among people and nature in one of the most beautiful settings in Maine, and committed to supporting the Gardens’ Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility goals? Gardenshop Team Members work to answer questions and share stories about Gardenshop’s unique products and membership to the gardens, collect payment, and wrap guests’ goods, and maintain the shop’s appearance. They are often a guest’s longest and final interaction and so have tremendous opportunity to enrich a visit while generating meaningful financial support for the Gardens and our community. This is a Seasonal position with a schedule of 17 - 34 hours per week, including at least one weekend day. Additional time may be needed outside these hours, especially during Gardens Aglow, which requires additional flexibility. $18.00 hourly, non-exempt Seasonal employees receive personal and sick paid time off, paid holidays, discounts in our culinary programs and Gardenshop, and a Gardens membership. Primary Functions: Become an exceptional storyteller, interpreter, educator, and salesperson, translating our goods and the stories of their makers to guests in ways that illuminate and strengthen our mission. Meet sales goals by working in a collaborative group dedicated to understanding what our guests seek and helping them discover in Gardenshop. Maintain the shop to high standards, visually and environmentally, providing excellent guest experience while keeping the floor clean and organized while working to prevent loss. Communicate guest feedback to direct manager or onsite manager on duty. Support a culture that welcomes all people to the Gardens to create meaningful experiences with the natural world and the people around them. Physical Requirements: This is an active job on a large campus requiring up to eight and a half hours of standing, walking, kneeling, squatting, bending, and reaching up. Some lifting and carrying up to 20 pounds and the occasional use of a stepstool to retrieve stock may be necessary. This job requires standard visual acuity and the ability to operate a POS system and a PC with or without accommodation. Requirements Two years of employment or life experience working in a team of people engaged in guest service; retail experience a bonus. The ability to learn new technology; some experience with POS systems helpful. Flexibility, with excellent communication skills that support and uplift our fast-paced and stimulating work environment. Comfort interacting with guests, volunteers, staff, board members, and the community, striving to exceed guest expectations and creating an exceptional experience for those visiting the Gardens.

Keywords: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Portland , Gardenshop Retail Associate, Retail - All , Boothbay, Maine