Sales Associate I, Alcatraz
(Term-limited through 9/30/2025 w/ benefits)
Organization Description:
Since 1981, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Parks Conservancy) has served as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, collaborating with the Presidio Trust, partners, donors, and the community to support the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The GGNRA stretches across three Bay Area counties, north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge, and includes iconic places such as Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, Mori Point, Lands End, and the Presidio of San Francisco.
The Parks Conservancy engages at the intersection of national park sites, local communities, social justice, and climate resilience. Collaborating with partners, our staff are dedicated to enhancing public awareness and providing volunteer and educational opportunities in the parks. We are park builders, caretakers, ambassadors, and educators, all working to connect people to parks, in support of our vision Parks for All Forever. Join us.
Department Description:
The Interpretive Centers and Sales Department is responsible for developing and operating visitor centers throughout the Golden Gate National Parks, providing visitor information, orientation, and other direct services. Conservancy Interpretive Centers provide educational, functional, and proprietary park merchandise along with changing park exhibits. The department develops park books, maps, and interpretive and branded products, manages warehousing and distribution, operates the Muir Woods Fee Collection program, and develops and operates the Conservancy’s online sales and wholesale programs. Interpretive Centers include Alcatraz Park Stores, Muir Woods Visitor Center, Lands End Lookout, Warming Hut, Fort Point Park Store, Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center, and Presidio Visitor Center.
Position Overview:
This is a full-time, term-limited, benefitted position. The duration of this assignment is through September 30, 2025. The work location is Alcatraz Island. The Retail Sales Associate I is responsible for delivering outstanding visitor services, selling interpretive merchandise and books to help achieve sales goals, maintaining the visual, store, and merchandising standards, assisting with inventory management, accurate operations of cash register and cash handling, and completing other tasks and duties as directed by Managers & Team Leads. Additionally, this role will be trained to provide information about park history and trails, San Francisco landmarks, modes of public transportation, and the GG Parks Conservancy. The Retail Sales Associate I must be willing to work a flexible schedule that may include both weekend days and holidays and are required to wear a uniform (including name badge) for their scheduled shifts.
Reports To: Retail Manager II, Assistant Manager II.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
• Welcome, engage, and deliver the highest standard of service to all visitors.
• Answer all visitor questions with courtesy, accuracy, and appropriateness.
• Assists store in achieving daily, weekly, and monthly sales goals.
• Maintain positive and respectful relationships with all internal and external partners (GGNPC, NPS, U.S. Park Police, Park Partners, Alcatraz City Cruises etc.)
• Assist with inventory management including unpacking, tagging, restocking, and merchandising products and publications.
• Maintain a clean and organized store including office, backroom, and storage spaces, refilling supplies as needed.
• Sweep and remove trash from exterior of store and assisting with trash and recycling as needed.
• Provide knowledge or resources about the GGNRA, GGNPC, GGBR, trails, area history, nature, San Francisco, other parks or visitor centers, public transportation, etc.
• Promote and sell memberships, explaining benefits and value of joining the Parks Conservancy and asking for donations through our “round-up” program. • Provide information to visitors about Parks Conservancy programs, projects, volunteer opportunities, and different ways to connect people to the Parks. • Assist managers with year-end inventory and cycle counts.
• Assist managers and supervisors with other assigned job duties.
• Communicate effectively and promptly with managers and supervisors about product and supply needs.
• Check, review, and respond to (if applicable) personal Conservancy emails on scheduled shifts.
• Report any maintenance related issues to site managers, supervisors, or appropriate Conservancy colleagues or Park partner, assist managers/supervisors in opening and closing public restrooms during store hours.
• Complete all required training to provide the best service for visitors including safety, de-escalation, and bystander intervention skills, park trails, cultural resources, and other information.
• Participate in ongoing training in sales skills, product knowledge, inventory, and Conservancy programs and policies.
• In absence of Managers or Team Leads, communicate directly to Law Enforcement when there are immediate emergencies or threats to visitors and co-workers. Notify Managers and Supervisors as soon thereafter as possible.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Two years’ retail experience or equivalent preferred.
• Excellent visitor service skills and sales ability.
• Must be professional, flexible, reliable, and able to perform job duties with minimal supervision.
• Accurate and efficient cashiering and cash handling experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Must be sensitive to visitor needs and concerns and enjoy working in a busy retail environment with high visitor interaction and conversation.
• Must have an interest in and ability to share about the history, natural history, and trails of their national park work site with visitors.
• Retail, bookstore, museum, and park ranger/intern experience preferred.
Education and/or Experience:
• High school degree or equivalent preferred.
• Previous retail or comparable experience in working with the public.
Health and Safety:
It is the goal of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy to create and maintain a safe and healthful workplace free from recognized hazards that may cause harm to employees, consistent with and in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.
Physical Requirements and Work Environments:
• Standing most of the day, but also sitting, squatting, kneeling, or walking, depending on a wide range of duties.
• Working on the sales floor, stockroom, and outdoors.
• Walking around the site, restroom, and outside environment in response to visitors’ concerns.
• Lifting, carrying, or positioning objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Wearing a uniform and adhering to professional appearance standards.
• Work requires staff to take the Ferry from Pier 33 to get to Alcatraz Island
• Work is performed on the three retail stores located on Alcatraz Island: The Dock Store, the Building 64 Store, and the Cell House Museum Store
• Regularly requires a walk up a hill that is equivalent to a 13-story climb.
• Work is primarily performed standing or walking for 6 to 8 hours per day
Pay Rate/Pay Grade: $20/hour (Pay Grade 7). Benefits include a competitive suite of medical, dental, and vision plans (free for employee and family), up to 3 weeks of paid vacation; paid holiday, personal, and sick days; a 403(b) retirement plan, Employee Assistance Program, Commuter Program, employee discounts, and more.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
The Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Recruitment, placement and promotions are conducted without regard to an individual's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical handicap, veteran status or sexual orientation, or any other classification protected by Federal, State, and local laws & ordinances. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal history in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
