This is the OFFICIAL job post

At the Totem Poles

Full-Time Seasonal Retail Associate Position

Why work with us?

  • Stanley Park is a beautiful and unique location to work in, especially in the Spring and Summer months.

  • We are far away from the downtown hustle and bustle.

  • Over 95% of our customers are tourists, they are always easy going and eager to talk about their travel experiences.

  • The management team has over 20+ years worth of experience at the location; it’s a well-understood and well-operated business.

  • It’s a buzzing store during the summer, so it’s never boring! (don’t worry, there are slow times too!).

  • The owners are involved in tasks alongside with staff, providing guidance, support, and continuous training. The organization is small and nimble so we can make changes and improvements quickly.

Stanley Park is British Columbia’s largest urban park, attracting over eight million visitors each year.

At the Totem Poles is located next to the most visited collection of Totem Poles in Western Canada. We offer Canadian made and Canada inspired gifts to locals as well as tourists from all over the world. We also operate a mini cafe with specialty coffee, simple baked goods, and pre-packaged foods (no food prep required).

We are looking for seasonal full time staff member who is friendly, energetic, dexterous, positive, self-motivated, self-aware, and have excellent interpersonal skills. Applicants should be able to solve problems on the fly, and excel in a fast and varied environment.

Some candidates mistakenly expect the position to be paperwork and computer related, which is not. Being on your feet, looking for things to do on your own, helping customers, restocking, organizing inventory, keeping the store neat and presentable, are all critical parts of the position.

Lastly, due to the nature of retail, applicants must be able and willing to work MOST, if not ALL weekends.

once again, DO NOT APPLY if you’re unable to work most, if not ALL, weekends

Responsibilities

Staff members are responsible for ALL various retail operations: stock handling and restocking (40%), cashiering (20%), t-shirt folding (10%), merchandising/inventory, visual presentation, customer service, house keeping, light food service and coffee operation (20%). People who are good at organizing, sorting, observing changes, tend to be good at this position.

Shifts and Schedules

This is intended to be a seasonal position, which starts right away and usually ends around October (sometimes longer). Expect an average of 35-40h/wk immediately and through the season. Shifts times are always subject to change. We generally keep days off together and release three week’s worth of schedule ahead of time. Extended, long term employment possible.

Qualifications

Valid work permit. Secondary education. Some retail or in-person customer service experience is required. Experience handling cash is required.

Fluency in English for this position is REQUIRED (IELTS 8+, TOEFL 100+)

Second language in French, Spanish, German, or Portuguese is a bonus.

Hourly Wage and Full-Time Perks

21.00/hour to start + tips (after graduating from cafe)

Compensated car parking (full)

Compensated transit pass (partial)

Hot & iced drinks

Store discount

Additional benefits kicks in for long term staff.

How to Apply

Email: Send your resume and a very brief cover letter/statement to contact@thetotempoles.com; use Jack or David as recipient. Please have any references ready upon request.

Important: Please mention somewhere in your response which agency, website or location that brought you to THIS job posting page.

In person: Just drop off your resume with any staff member and we can go from there.

Given the number of applicants we usually receive, we are only able to contact candidates that have passed our initial screening, usually between 1-3 days. Please do not call the store or send any follow-up emails. Thank you.

How to Get Here

Public transit: Bus #19 takes you to the middle of the park. Walk another 10 minutes to the store.

Bicycle or walk: The most reliable way of getting to us.

Car: Parking pass would be offered for those who opt to drive while employed.