Gift Shop Assistant Manager (Full-time)

Job Title: Gift Shop Assistant Manager

Department/Division: Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) / Retail Operations

Status: Regular, Full-time

Pay: $20.12 per hour

Reports to: Gift Shop Manager

Benefits: Health Insurance, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, Spouse/Child Life Insurance, AD&D, Critical Illness, Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts (health, dependent). Paid vacation and sick leave accrual. 12 Paid Holidays. Parking pass. Amenity pass.

Retirement: Employee Retirement System of Georgia (GSEPS) Retirement benefits include a pension plus a matching 401(k)

Closing date: 4:00pm Wednesday November 18, 2026. *Note: This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified. To apply, submit your Resume with a completed application, a cover letter is not required but encouraged. Incomplete applications or applications without accompanying documents when required will not be considered.

Jekyll Island is dedicated to maintaining the delicate balance between nature and humankind through conservation, education, and preservation. Surrounded by salt marshes, expansive oceanfront, and ancient maritime forests, it is situated within the chain of the Golden Isles and just a few miles from St. Simons Island, Sea Island, and Brunswick. As a State Park, Jekyll Island is a coastal haven where nature and humans peacefully co-exist.

Job Summary:

Under general supervision, the Gift Shop Assistant Manager supports the Store Manager in overseeing the daily operations of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center Gift Shop. Responsibilities include providing exceptional customer service, supervising gift shop staff, managing inventory, conducting employee training and performance evaluations, motivating and developing team members, maintaining accurate financial and accounting records, and ensuring efficient and effective shop operations.

Description:

• Manage, lead, and motivate team members to drive sales growth and achieve store performance goals.
• Assist the Store Manager with hiring, onboarding, and training employees.
• Promote sales by actively engaging customers.
• Responsible for conducting employee performance evaluations and providing ongoing feedback to support professional development and performance improvement.
• Develop employee schedules based on business demands and operational needs.
• Maintain composure under pressure and effectively handle challenging situations.
• Establish performance goals and expectations for employees and monitor progress.
• Collaborates with the Director of Retail, GSTC Manager, and Georgia Sea Turtle Center staff to support retail operations, educational programming, and organizational objectives.
• Assist the Manager with merchandise availability through effective daily inventory replenishment and stock management.
• Resolve customer inquiries, concerns, and complaints professionally and promptly.
• Assist with inventory control processes, including physical inventory counts, identifying shortages or overages, and reporting discrepancies to the Store Manager.
• Monitor labor costs and operating expenses to remain within budget and align with projected visitation levels.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for customers and employees.
• Stays informed about GSTC operations and events by attending staff meetings and communicating important updates to team members at the beginning of each shift.
• Enforce all organizational policies, procedures, and operational standards.
• Prepare daily deposits and revenue reports, ensuring accounting records are accurate and submitted in a timely manner.
• Ensure compliance with all PCI standards and credit card processing regulations.
• Responsible for maintaining proper cash handling procedures and internal controls.
• Ensure the store remains clean, organized, and sanitary at all times.
• Support the mission of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center by promoting awareness while striving to increase store sales and customer engagement.
• Preforms other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Completion of a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent. Related associate's degree or higher is preferred.
• Three (3) years' retail store experience required with a minimum of one year in lead or supervisory role.
• Proven experience in pricing, vendor relationships, market knowledge, staffing, management proficiency, verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work under pressure, handle challenging situations and solve problems
• Outgoing, personable, friendly and love working with people.
• Proficiency computer skills required.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, occasionally early evening
• Regular and predictable attendance and punctuality is required.
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must have a valid drivers license
• Must successfully complete background check including credit and criminal.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

• Exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
• More than 50% of the typical work day will be spent standing.
• Between 25 and 50% of the day will be spent walking, lifting, grasping, feeling and climbing, pushing, and pulling.
• Less than 25% of the day will be spent climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and sitting.
• Sensory abilities required include vision, hearing and touching with more than 50% of the day spent communicating; talking and hearing.
• Must have visual clarity to determine accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of work assigned as well as close visual clarity to prepare, analyze data and figures and operate and view a computer.
• Majority of work will be performed within an indoor office environment. Typically work is not conducted in adverse environmental conditions.
• Noise level is considered quiet to normal.

This description of job responsibilities is intended to reflect the major responsibilities and duties of the job, but is not intended to describe minor duties or other responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified. Applicants who complete the online application process will receive an email receipt of submission to the email address provided. If email confirmation is not received, applicant may contact Human Resources at 912-635-4024 for confirmation, however, due to the volume of applicants received, we are unable to provide information on application status after receipt. Applicants who need assistance to accommodate a disability may request and accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 912-635-4024.

All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Incomplete applications or applications without accompanying documents when required will not be considered. Selected applicants will be contacted for the next steps in the selection process. Successful completion of background check is required including credit when applicable to the position. Relocation expenses are not authorized, applicants should consider this when applying.

Jekyll Island Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Authority supports equal employment opportunities for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. The Jekyll Island is a Drug-free Workplace.