Job Details

Assistant Retail Manager — Nature Store

POSITION INFORMATION

Title: Assistant Retail Manager — Nature Store (Future Retail Operations Leadership Track)
Classification: Full-Time (40 hours/week), Non-Exempt
Reports To: Retail Operations Manager 

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Mountain Parks Foundation (MPF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting people with the redwood forests of Big Basin and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Parks through education, visitor engagement, and stewardship.

MPF serves approximately 2 million park visitors annually through educational initiatives, interpretive programming, and visitor services, including the Nature Store at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

The Nature Store plays an important role in supporting MPF`s mission by generating revenue that helps fund education, visitor engagement, and park programs.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Retail Manager supports the daily operations of the Nature Store and plays a key role in ensuring a high-quality visitor experience, strong retail performance, and smooth operational continuity.

Working closely with the Retail Operations Manager, this position helps oversee store operations, volunteer coordination, inventory support, merchandising execution, and point-of-sale operations.

This is a hands-on, operational role in a high-traffic retail environment where volunteers form the majority of frontline staffing. The Assistant Retail Manager provides day-to-day leadership support, ensures consistency in service and operations, and helps maintain a welcoming, mission-aligned visitor experience.

Mountain Parks Foundation anticipates that our current Retail Operations Manager will retire within approximately 18–24 months. While advancement opportunities depend on organizational needs and individual performance, we are seeking someone who is excited to learn every aspect of our retail operation and who may have the opportunity to assume increased leadership responsibilities over time.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Retail Operations Support

• Support daily Nature Store operations to ensure smooth, efficient, and welcoming visitor service 
• Assist with opening/closing procedures, cash handling, and daily operational readiness 
• Operate and troubleshoot point-of-sale (POS) system as needed 
• Support inventory purchasing, receiving, stocking, and tagging execution 
• Maintain organized, clean, safe, and visually appealing store environment 

Volunteer Coordination & Frontline Support

• Help recruit, train, schedule, and support Nature Store volunteers 
• Provide on-the-floor guidance and support to volunteers during shifts 
• Ensure volunteers are prepared, confident, and supported in customer service roles 
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and mission-driven volunteer culture 
• Serve as primary onsite lead in absence of Retail Operations Manager 

Customer Experience & Visitor Engagement

• Deliver high-quality customer service and ensure consistent visitor experience standards 
• Respond to visitor questions and support resolution of issues as needed 
• Model strong interpretive and mission-aligned communication with park visitors 
• Support educational and mission-driven messaging in store environment 

Inventory & Merchandising Support

• Assist with inventory tracking, stocking, and product display maintenance 
• Support seasonal merchandising changes and product resets 
• Assist in receiving and organizing incoming merchandise shipments 
• Help maintain accurate and organized inventory storage systems 

Administrative & Operational Support

• Support daily financial processes including cash reconciliation and reporting support 
• Assist with vendor communications and product tracking as assigned 
• Support retail reporting, documentation, and operational tracking as needed 
• Contribute to process improvement and operational consistency 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Retail, customer service, hospitality, or visitor services experience 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 
• Ability to work effectively with volunteers and diverse public audiences 
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills 
• Ability to handle cash, POS system, and basic operational procedures 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team 
• Reliable, calm, and professional in a busy public-facing environment 

Preferred

• Experience in nonprofit, museum, park, or mission-driven retail environments 
• Experience supervising volunteers or staff 
• Familiarity with inventory or merchandising systems 
• Interest in natural history, conservation, parks, or environmental education 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• High-traffic retail environment in a state park setting 
• Frequent interaction with visitors, volunteers, and staff 
• Standing for extended periods required 
• Ability to lift and move merchandise and boxes up to 30 pounds, including overhead
• Ability to operate tagging needle (repetitive squeezing)
• Weekend, holiday, and seasonal schedule flexibility required 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Mountain Parks Foundation offers a competitive compensation and benefits package for this full-time, non-exempt position, including:

• Hourly wage: $28–$32 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications 
• 401(k) employer contribution: 8.3% of salary 
• Paid time off: Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave 
• Employee wellness stipend: $1,000 per month (taxable benefit)

This position also offers the opportunity to work in a collaborative, mission-driven environment supporting visitor engagement, education, and stewardship in our redwood state parks.This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys retail management, merchandising, inventory systems, volunteer leadership, and working in one of California's most beautiful state park settings.

Applications will be reviewed beginning July 6 and will continue until the position is filled. Mountain Parks Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.