(Seasonal) Winter Lights Retail Associate

(Seasonal) Winter Lights Retail Associate

Spend your evenings this holiday season working inside North Carolina's favorite winter tradition. The Arboretum is hiring Retail Associates for our annual Winter Lights show. This is a part-time position at $16.00 per hour, with flexible scheduling up to 25 hours per week. Most shifts run from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., and the season runs from November 12 through January 3, with paid trainings the first week of November. Weekends, evenings, and holidays are required.

Winter Lights transforms the Arboretum's gardens into a nighttime wonderland built from thousands of lights. It's our largest fundraiser and a holiday tradition for families across the Southeast. Our two indoor retail shops sit right in the middle of it, offering seasonal gifts, local arts and crafts, and merchandise, celebrating our mission to inspire connection with nature through wonder, knowledge, and stewardship.

This is retail at its best: you're indoors and warm, the shops are festive, and every customer chooses to be here and is excited about it. It's a short, defined season, perfect if you're a student, a teacher, a retiree, or anyone who'd like a fun evening gig and extra income for the holidays. Customer service and retail experience with cash-handling skills preferred, although we will provide paid training.

What you'll do:

• Process sales transactions on a point-of-sale register
• Restock merchandise and maintain a clean and appealing shop setting
• Answer questions about retail products and the Winter Lights exhibit
• Deliver excellent and friendly customer service that makes the visit memorable

What the job requires:

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time, which includes bending, reaching, and kneeling for tasks such as stocking
• Cash-handling and the ability to make correct change for a high volume of transactions
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills for engaging with a diverse clientele
• Effective manual dexterity for handling products and retail equipment
• The ability to occasionally lift and carry boxes of merchandise up to 25 pounds.

All offers are contingent on a background check.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit
The Retail Department works within the Guest Experiences and Services group providing retail opportunities for guests to maximize their visitation to the Arboretum.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
This position requires evening availability. Some weekends and holidays may be required. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have graduated from high school (or equivalent)

Competencies
Key skills required for the position include:
- Ability to work evenings, weekends and holidays during Winter Lights (November 12 through January 3);
- Ability to accurately make change;
- Ability to run a point of sale system;
- Ability to handle credit card transactions;
- Knowledge of cash handling procedures;
- Ability to effectively interact with customers; and,
- Strong interpersonal skills, exceptional communication skills.

• Classification: (Seasonal) Winter Lights Retail Associate
• Position Number: UNCSO-ATNCA22
• Appointment Type: Temporary
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Part-Time
• Location: 100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806 USA
• Posting Open Date: 9/8/2026
• Posting Close Date: 9/21/2026
• Posting Number: req750

EEO
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To claim veteran's preference, all eligible persons shall submit a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with a State Application for Employment (Form PD-107 or equivalent) to the appointing authority.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

EEO Contact Information
Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: recruiter@northcarolina.edu