Guest Experience Associate (Part-Time)

ABOUT ECHO

ECHO is a global Christian agricultural networking, training and resourcing organization. Our mission is to strengthen the capacity of a diverse global network to defeat hunger and improve lives through sustainable food and agroecosystem strategies. ECHO has a significant network of over 20,000 individuals and organizations built over 45 years working in more than 190 countries. These partners serve as the primary multiplier for ECHO tested options, strategies, and research. 

SUMMARY
The Guest Experience Associate supports the ministry of ECHO by helping create a welcoming, informative, and Christ-honoring experience for all who visit the North America Regional Impact Center. This position contributes to the daily operations of the Welcome & Resource Center by providing excellent customer service, assisting with resource sales, supporting nursery operations, and ensuring guests feel valued and informed about ECHO’s mission to honor God through sustainable agriculture and community development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

GUEST SERVICES & HOSPITALITY

• Provide warm, attentive, and Christlike hospitality to every guest entering the WRC.
• Assist visitors by answering questions, sharing ECHO’s mission and programs, and directing them to tours, resources, or staff as appropriate.
• Support tour operations through tasks such as helping with check-in, processing payments, and ensuring guests have needed materials.
• Respond to incoming phone calls with professionalism, accuracy, and a ministry-oriented mindset.

SALES, MERCHANDISING & RESOURCE CENTER SUPPORT

• Operate the point-of-sale (POS) system to process transactions accurately and efficiently.
• Maintain a clean and organized retail environment, ensuring products and literature are well-stocked and attractively displayed.
• Assist with receiving, unpacking, and stocking merchandise and printed materials.
• Prepare online orders for shipment, following established procedures and timelines.
• Support data entry and simple administrative tasks that contribute to sales reporting and inventory management.

NURSERY SUPPORT

• Assist visitors with plant selection and basic horticulture questions under the direction of nursery leadership.
• Support nursery sales transactions as needed.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and guest-friendly nursery environment.
• Carry out simple plant care tasks (watering, staging, labeling) as assigned.

FACILITY & OPERATIONAL SUPPORT

• Maintain cleanliness and order in public-facing areas of the WRC, including displays, resource shelves, café seating, counters, and workstations.
• Ensure brochures, educational materials, and promotional items are neatly arranged and available for guests.
• Monitor supplies and communicate restocking needs to the Guest Experience Manager.
• Assist staff and docents by preparing materials for tours, events, and special programs.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this role successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

1. Must subscribe to the ECHO Statement of Faith or Apostle’s Creed and embody ECHO’s core values.
2. Ability to use or learn basic computer systems.
3. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to read, write, and respond professionally to guests, peers, and management.
4. Ability to multitask while maintaining a guest-focused and flexible approach.
5. Enthusiastic, friendly, and energetic with a commitment to excellent guest experience.
6. Availability to work some weekends.

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Previous guest services, retail, hospitality, sales, or cash handling preferred.
• Horticultural knowledge or experience (e.g., plant nursery, landscaping, or gardening) preferred.
• Knowledge of and/or interest in tropical plants.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Warm, approachable, and service-oriented interpersonal skills.
• Strong communication abilities, including clear verbal interaction with guests and staff.
• Ability to operate a point-of-sale system and handle basic administrative tasks.
• Comfort working in a dynamic, guest-facing environment with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. and work outdoors in Florida’s climate when assisting in the nursery.
• Dependability, punctuality, and a team-oriented attitude.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position involves both indoor and outdoor work. Weather conditions may include heat, rain, and wind. The general environment is typically quiet but may become fast-paced due to urgent tasks and deadlines. The role requires the ability to handle pressure constructively and be flexible with business needs.

POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
This is a part-time position. Workdays and hours may vary based on business needs.

TRAVEL:
None.

OTHER DUTIES:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive
listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this
job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT:
ECHO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner.

In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status, genetic information, or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes.  It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job.

ECHO is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. ECHO’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.