How You’ll Contribute

The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a significant renovation project on its campus (called Base Camp), which will be completed in 2026. Components of the new guest experience will include a state-of-the-art pavilion entrance, auditorium, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, retail, food and beverage, education center, archives, tours, and exciting new event space. A fully sustainable, on-brand hotel may also be built and operated by a third party on the campus. The capstone of the renovation is a one-of-a-kind nighttime experience in the courtyard.

How You’ll Contribute
Job Description Summary
The Retail Warehouse Associate assists in the fulfillment and logistics of the merchandise receiving process from site delivery to placing merchandise on the shop shelves. The Retail Warehouse Associate is responsible for inspecting merchandise for defects or damages and maintains the cleanliness and functionality of the warehouse environment. The Retail Warehouse Associate reports to the Sr. Manager, Retail Operations and operates within the Hospitality and Retail team for the Museum of Exploration.

We are seeking a team member who values interoperability and is ready to jump in and support colleagues across different projects when needed. At the Museum of Exploration, we believe that our greatest successes come from shared expertise and a willingness to step outside of a single role. This isn't just a part of the job; it's a core aspect of how we operate and collaborate, reflecting the spirit of partnership that defines National Geographic's culture.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Merchandise Processing (50%)

Process incoming shipments, including unboxing, counting, labeling, and preparing merchandise for the store shelf
Utilize the Retail POS to create and execute product transfers to the Museum of Exploration Shop
Deliver product to museum shop and assist with placing on shop shelves
Maintain an organized and orderly environment for ease of navigation and execution of receiving and re-stocking procedures
Perform monthly cycle counts, inventory spot checks, and participate in annual inventory process

Product Inspection & Quality Assurance (20%)

Review incoming shipments for accuracy of delivery quantities, artwork match to purchase orders, and verification against packing slips
Route damaged or low quality products to Supervisor for vendor chargeback processing
Completion of damage process for products damaged after arrival

Customer Service (20%)

Ability to support the Museum of Exploration Shop for re-stocking, merchandising, and customer support
Support seasonal Pop-up retail shops and event strategy including setup and breakdown

Logistics Support (10%)

Pick, pull, and pack National Geographic Live merchandise shipments for external consignment events
Process National Geographic Live returns including; verifying merchandise quantities, returning items to the warehouse shelves, and delivery paperwork to Retail Warehouse Supervisor.

Educational Background

High School Diploma preferred

Minimum Years and Experience

0–1-year experience in a retail warehouse setting preferably in a museum or visitor attraction

Knowledge and Skills

Experience in a visitor attraction or museum retail shop or warehouse
Attention to detail
Strong written and oral communication skills
Collaborative mindset and ability to work in a team or group to accomplish a task
Be able to repetitively lift 50 lbs
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workplace tools

Desired Qualifications

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities
Proactive customer service mindset
Ability to work nights and weekends as needed

Collaboration and Teamwork

Support various teams as needed, providing cross-trained coverage for breaks, absences, or high volume. Assist with general museum tasks such as maintaining public spaces, providing basic visitor assistance, and helping with event setup/breakdown.

Supervision

None

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The rate for this position is $20.65.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Resident - Our Resident category recognizes that certain staff need to be physically present at Base Camp to do their work. Some Resident staff must be at Base Camp every day to do their jobs, while others may only need to be physically present onsite some of the time to meet looming deadlines or to get work done and may require a unique schedule. As such, this category has been revised to provide maximum flexibility depending on what’s required for each individual role. The days Resident staff come into the office will be determined by their teams and workflow, and they should work with their supervisors to determine their specific schedule. And throughout the year, their schedule may be adjusted based on cyclical work cycles, deadlines, and/or ebbs and flows of work.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.

National Geographic Society

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