Museum Shop Assistant

Museum Shop Assistant

The Museum Shop Assistant enhances the visitor experience at SCMA by providing exceptional customer service and helping create an inclusive, welcoming environment. Working closely with Museum Shop as well as the entire Visitor Experience staff, this role engages visitors in a friendly and positive manner while supporting the daily operations of the Museum Shop.

The ideal candidate enjoys working with people, has an interest in art and museums, and is committed to creating meaningful visitor experiences. This role has a weekly schedule of 10 hours and weekend availability is required.

* This is a casual (non-benefitted) position.

Responsibilities:

• Provide exceptional customer service and serve as an integral member of the SCMA Visitor Experience team.
• Welcome and assist visitors in the Museum Shop by offering product recommendations, answering questions, and sharing information about merchandise, exhibitions, and museum programs.
• Process sales using the point-of-sale (POS) system, including cash handling and daily register reconciliation.
• Open and close the Museum Shop and operate the cash register/POS system.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and inviting shop environment.
• Restock merchandise and maintain attractive product displays.
• Perform light data entry and inventory-related tasks in the POS system.
• Support Visitor Services as needed, including greeting guests and assisting with museum admissions.

Qualifications:

• Friendly, personable, and engaging with visitors of diverse backgrounds.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Interest in art, museums, and visitor engagement.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Reliable, detail-oriented, and comfortable handling cash transactions.
• Availability to work weekends.

This is an on-site only position within the museum's operating hours (10:45-4:15 Tuesday through Sunday), as well as one Friday evening a month. Additional hours for special events and specific projects are likely and sporadic.

Please be sure to submit a cover letter, and include an answer to this prompt:
What was the last gift you gave someone and why did you choose that item for that person?

** The hourly rate will be $17.50-$18.00/hour based on experience.

Position Type

Fixed Term

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position. Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application.

Review of applications will begin July 31, 2026.

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt.

Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process.

If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law.

Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.