Job Vacancies

Retail & Welcome Desk Assistant

The Air Force Museum of New Zealand is the national museum for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and New Zealand military aviation, and stands on the site of the former air base at Wigram, Christchurch.

Our aim is to preserve and present the history of New Zealand military aviation for commemoration, inspiration, learning and enjoyment.

The Retail & Welcome Desk Assistant is responsible for ensuring in-person and virtual visitors enjoy high standards in customer and retail service, and assisting with various other museum activities. This part time position, working 8:15am – 4:45pm Friday and Saturday with the potential for an additional weekday cover, is a key touchpoint for the Museum with visitors and a conduit across the greater team.

Your day-to-day will include:

• Providing exceptional front counter customer service to a wide range of domestic and international visitors. 
• Selling souvenirs and shop product (including e-trading), including processing eftpos, cash and computerized point of sale system transactions.
• Assisting with stock management through computerized systems.
• Assisting with merchandising and product development. 
• Actively promoting and selling public programmes, tours and other charged for activities.
• Website monitoring, loading of merchandise, and processing of website sales. 
• Ensuring the safety of Museum visitors, including acting as chief fire warden in the event of an emergency or evacuation. 
• Participating in front of house, collections, or other activities in support of the Museum as and when required, including occasional evening work. 
• Assisting with Visitor Host requirements, ie Birthday Parties and Holiday programme cover, as negotiated with Museum Retail Supervisor.

As the successful candidate, you will be excited about providing exceptional customer service to a wide range of domestic and international visitors. Your ability to relate to a diverse range of people and interpret their differing needs will assist you in excelling in this role. You will also be required to hold a current first aid certificate (which be gained on the job if required).

Our ideal candidate will have: 

• Excellent verbal and non-verbal communications skills.
• Experience in retail sales including meeting scheduled targets and e-trading.
• Sound decision making skills and the ability to successfully resolve difficult visitor issues.
• Ability to multi-task and effectively manage in a fast paced and changing environment. 
• Familiarity with computerised stock management systems
• Competence in the use of the Microsoft Office suite of programmes, the Internet and e-mail.
• Competence with eftpos, cash handling, banking and computerised point of sale systems.
• Confidence in retail merchandising and display. 
• Ability to act as chief fire warden in the event of an emergency. 

A familiarity with Museums and the cultural sector would make a candidate stand-out, along with two years experience in a retail or tourism position, and a Tourism Core Skills (Level 3) or equivalent retail qualification. 

In return we offer a great working environment and team culture. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so if you enjoy a challenge and prioritise your customers, please forward your CV and cover letter by email to info@airforcemuseum.co.nz. Applications close on 27th June 2022.

Please note that as the Museum is partly funded by the RNZAF, all positions within the Museum require a satisfactory police check.