Assistant Director of Retail

Summary This position is located in the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), Retail Division. The Assistant Director of Retail supports the Director of Retail in managing the day-to-day operations and program execution of the CVC Gift Shops, warehouse operations, and eCommerce program.  Learn more about this agency Duties The Assistant Director of Retail provides operational leadership and program oversight for retail merchandising, store operations, and digital commerce activities. The position ensures effective execution of retail strategies, operational consistency, and integration of physical and digital retail channels to support the visitor experience and educational mission of the U.S. Capitol. Major Duties: Oversees daily retail operations across gift shop locations, warehouse, fulfillment, and eCommerce activities. Implements merchandising plans, including product assortment, inventory levels, pricing, and visual presentation aligned with organizational standards. Supports product development and lifecycle management to ensure offerings reflect appropriate historical and civic themes. Monitors sales performance, inventory levels, and operational metrics; identifies trends and recommends adjustments to improve performance. Ensures consistent customer service standards and compliance with established policies and procedures. Oversees point-of-sale and eCommerce systems; coordinates with IT stakeholders to maintain system functionality and operational continuity. Assists in executing omnichannel retail strategies that align in-store and online operations. Resolves operational issues, customer concerns, and workflow challenges within established guidelines.Serves as a supervisor over staff and/or subordinate team leads supporting retail operations, merchandising, and eCommerce functions. Assigns work, monitors performance, and provides coaching and feedback to support employee development. Assists with workforce planning, scheduling, hiring coordination, and performance management activities. Ensures compliance with applicable human resources policies, labor agreements, and safety requirements. Promotes a collaborative and service oriented work environment. Coordinates with internal stakeholders including Exhibits and Education, Communications/Marketing, and Planning, Evaluation and Operations to support integrated retail and visitor services. Acts on behalf of the Director of Retail, as delegated, for continuity of operations. Supports budget execution by tracking retail revenue, expenditures, and operational costs. Assists in analyzing financial data, sales trends, and performance metrics to support decision-making. Contributes to budget planning and justification efforts. Serves as backup Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), supporting contract monitoring, invoice review, and coordination with contracting staff. Ensures adherence to OSHA and workplace safety standards. Promotes safe work practices and proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Addresses safety concerns and supports corrective actions as needed. Due to operational requirements, this position oversees a six day a week operation and may be expected to work Sundays and/or evenings in support of special events. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen. You must be able to pass a drug test. You must meet the definition of specialized experience. Your resume and question responses must demonstrate the job-related KSAs. To be employed by the Architect of the Capitol in a paid position, an individual must meet one of the categories below: A citizen of the United States; A person who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence and is seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B); A person who is admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or is granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and has filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; A person who owes allegiance to the United States (nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other requirements described in 8 U.S.C. 1408); or A person who is currently an officer or employee of the Government of the United States Qualifications You must meet the United States Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) qualification requirements (including specialized experience and/or educational requirements) for the advertised position. You must meet all eligibility and qualifications requirements by the closing date of the job announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on the OPM web site at OPM qualification standards Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. To qualify, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 level in the Federal service (or equivalent experience) that includes: Managing or overseeing retail operations, merchandising programs, or commercial services environments Implementing merchandising strategies, including product selection, pricing, inventory management, or visual presentation Analyzing sales data or operational metrics to support business decisions Supervising staff, team leads, or work units, including assigning work and evaluating performance Supporting eCommerce or digital retail operations and coordinating with operational or technical stakeholders Coordinating day-to-day operations across multiple functional areas (retail, logistics, customer service, or systems support) Education There is no educational requirement for this position. Additional information Welcome Veterans. The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) gives veterans' preference rights in the legislative branch to certain veterans as applied by the Congressional Accountability Act. Veterans' preference is applied on this vacancy announcement. If you are a veteran and have been separated under honorable conditions, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility; SF-15, if applicable; and Department of Veterans Affairs documentation of disability, if applicable. For more information, please visit http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp#6.If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System.  If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law, you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.DRUG TESTING: The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is a Drug Free Workplace. As part of the AOC’s suitability assessment, a candidate tentatively selected for a position who is not currently an AOC employee is required to submit to screening for illegal drug use. Satisfactory completion of a drug test is a condition of employment with the Agency. A candidate must test negative prior to being eligible for appointment into a position. We will schedule, provide and cover the cost for the drug test. The selectee(s) under the vacancy announcement for this position is subject to a criminal record check by the U.S. Capitol Police and satisfactory adjudication to be eligible for employment at the Architect of the Capitol. The Architect of the Capitol is an E-VERIFY Participant. E-VERIFY is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization in the United States. If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the DHS Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" electronic system. For more information on E-Verify, please visit http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1185221678150.shtmThe Architect of the Capitol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information and/or disability.This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Moving expenses are not authorized. Relocation expenses are not authorized. Probationary Period - A newly appointed selectee is subject to the completion of a one-year trial/probationary period, regardless of whether or not a trial/probationary period has been completed previously with the Architect of the Capitol or another Federal agency.This vacancy announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in any of the jurisdictions of the Architect of the Capitol.All application materials become the property of the Architect of the Capitol. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. These benefits include a variety of health insurance plans, retirement system with investment options, paid holidays, paid sick and annual (vacation) leave, life insurance, incentive systems, subsidized transportation, training and development opportunities, etc. The Architect of the Capitol offers eligible employees' opportunity to participate in the Student Loan Repayment Program. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.