Lick Observatory Gift Shop Coordinator

THIS POSITION IS BASED AT LICK OBSERVATORY, MT HAMILTON, CA

Lick Observatory's Gift Shop and Visitor Center welcome all visitors to our historic observatory. As the Gift Shop Coordinator, this position will help us maintain daily operations of the gift shop and offer suggestions of how to improve the visitor experience of our guests. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a friendly group of people as we aim to grow our public presence in the coming years.

Lick Observatory, located on Mount Hamilton, is the worksite for this position and is located 19 miles east of San Jose on Highway 130 at 4,200 feet elevation.

Year-round residential housing with nominal rent may be available for the selected Gift Shop Coordinator candidate. Residents are responsible for personal utilities costs.

Other benefits to working at UC Santa Cruz / Lick Observatory include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans
• UC Retirement Plans
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Legal Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Holidays plus accrued vacation and sick leave

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 01-27-2025

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The University of California Observatories (UCO) is a Multi-Campus Research Unit (MRU) funded via the University of California Office of the President, Office of Research and headquartered on the UC Santa Cruz campus. UCO operates on behalf of astronomers, researchers, postdoctoral scholars, graduate and undergraduate students across the UC system who are engaged in research, education and training in optical and infrared astronomy. In addition to managing the technical, physical plant and public outreach operations of the Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton, California, UCO provides the scientific and administrative liaison to the shared Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawai'i and the international collaboration for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) Project. UCO comprises extensive scientific and technical staff and facilities at UC Santa Cruz and Lick Observatory as well as administrative and business services. The Lick Observatory telescopes are scheduled 363 days per year, weather permitting. Additionally, Lick hosts about 30,000 members of the public via its summer programs and casual visitors.

More information can be found at: www.lickobservatory.org

JOB SUMMARY

The Gift Shop Coordinator coordinates operation of the Lick Observatory Visitor Center's Gift Shop. This includes acting as the lead clerk for the shop, managing and reporting shop inventory, scheduling staff, placing orders for new products, and training new employees. This position is also responsible for improving procedures and researching new merchandise to improve gift shop operations. The Gift Shop is located at the Lick Observatory Visitors Center, located 19 miles east of San Jose at 4,200 feet elevation.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $24.86 - $27.67 / Hourly. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Part-time, Variable
• Percentage of Time: 50%, 20 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Sun, some weekend work required
• Shift Includes: Days, Evenings, Weekends

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Lick Observatory, Mt. Hamilton, CA

Union Representation: CX - Clerical & Allied Services

Job Code Classification: 004723 (BLANK AST 2)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

50% - Gift Shop Administration

• Coordinates the operations of the Lick Observatory Gift Shop and snack and beverage vending machines.
• Researches new merchandising options and selects new items for sale in coordination with manager.
• Places order memos to ensure timely restocking.
• Maintains stock and inventory records.
• Maintains cash handling procedures including collecting cash from shop and vending machine sales, reconciling with report devices, and preparing bank deposits.
• Serves as liaison for campus and public contacts.

50% - Lead Gift Shop Clerk / Guide

• Leads team of part time staff to ensure gift shop opens and that staff effectively serve the public.
• Conducts 15 minute tours of the visitor center and 36" refractor dome at Lick Observatory. Answers questions from the general public regarding the history of the observatory & provides general information to visitors.
• Sells various souvenirs in the Gift Shop and operates cash register.
• Schedules staff to ensure weekly coverage and reports hours worked by staff to manager for timekeeping.
• Communicates with gift shop staff on questions, instructions, and trainings.
• Trains new clerks on shop procedures and provides feedback to maintain consistent, friendly service and historically accurate tours.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent experience.
• Related customer service experience, preferably in a retail environment.
• Experience with basic purchasing practices including determining need, selecting items, and procuring stock from vendors.
• Ability to organize and maintain records, supplies, and stock/inventory.
• Experience performing basic bookkeeping transactions and cash handling for a retail store.
• Ability to provide friendly, efficient service to the public.
• Experience training employees on proper work procedures.
• Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to relay information clearly and accurately to staff and the public.
• Experience overseeing employee scheduling and maintaining calendar of events.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience coordinating the day-to-day management of a retail store.
• Knowledge of astronomy and telescopes.
  

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• The selected candidate has the option to work a hybrid work schedule. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
  

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination