University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America’s Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

Posted Job Title

Gift Shop Clerk

Job Profile Title

Customer Service Assistant B, University Museum

Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Gift Shop Manager, the Gift Shop Clerk will primarily be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Shop which includes opening and closing registers, ringing sales, assisting customers, and keeping the Shop clean and well stocked. This person will help provide exemplary customer service by becoming familiar with the Shop inventory, Museum space (galleries, bathrooms, classrooms, etc.) and Museum Programs. They will also be tasked with additional duties as the Shop Manager sees fit. They also function as representatives of the Museum to the public and help promote organization-wide initiatives such as membership sales and special exhibition promotions and events. Weekend availability is essential, as well as flexibility throughout the week.

Job Description

Job Title: Gift Shop Clerk                        

Department: Gift Shop    

Supervisor’s Title: Gift Shop Manager

Compensation: $18.04 p/hour

Non-Exempt, Part-time (21 hrs/wk or 28 hrs/wk), In person

Job Responsibilities

• Operate the Museums POS system to process merchandise and membership sales.
• Open and Close the Shop. Merchandise, clean, and stock displays. Count registers in and out with a high level of accuracy.
• Help run the sales floor by assisting in the management of school field trips in and out of the Shop. Be attentive to guests. Walk the floor and anticipate when they need assistance.
• Provide excellent customer service by promoting the Museum’s exhibitions, the Shop’s products and by being knowledgeable about the Museum’s events, layout and protocols.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• High School Grad/GE Degree and 1 to 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Application Requirement 

• A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.  

** Please note that this is a term position with a target end date of 9/28/2027

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

University Museum

Pay Range

$16.60 - $18.04 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job’s level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Special Requirements 
Background checks may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

• Health and Life: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family’s health and welfare. 

• Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn’s Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.

• Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.

• Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you’re newly hired, you won’t have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.

• Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That’s why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.

• University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University’s libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There’s always something going on at Penn, whether it’s a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you’re right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.

• Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.

• Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.