Community Bike Shop Lead Mechanic

Cycles of Change is a 24 year old, collectively run, non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of East Bay residents by providing a variety of bicycle education services and education programs for youth and adults. For more info, please visit us at: https://cyclesofchange.org/

About The Bikery

The Bikery is a majority BIPOC and LGBTQ+ operated community bike shop offering used bikes for sale and full-service repairs. The Bikery also collaborates with other Cycles of Change youth and adult bicycle safety education programs. Through these endeavors we have built deep, multi-generational relationships with schools, community-based organizations, and families throughout East Oakland and Alameda County as a whole.

Staff at The Bikery are expected to operate as Mechanics, Educators, and Customer Service Representatives. We prioritize the learning and leadership of youth, people from Oakland and the Bay Area, women, queer and transgender folks. We work to empower each other with the skills, knowledge and resources of biking, partnering with youth from the community and local schools.

About the Role

Lead Mechanics are responsible for ensuring the day-to-day smooth operation of The Bikery and its programming, providing high-quality bicycle repair services, acting as leaders, mentors, and support to other Bikery staff, and demonstrating a high level of competency in all interactions with the public. Bikery Leads are asked to proactively watch for any needs that may arise, address issues, delegate to other staff, or properly communicate these needs to the Coordinator. Bikery Leads are expected to act with a high level of professionalism, to be reliable and communicative, to demonstrate the spirit of the missions and values of Cycles of Change, and to serve as an example to other staff to do the same. 

Lead Mechanic Qualifications/Responsibilities 

General 

• Keyholder duties: able to open/close the shop  
• Inventory receiving, tracking stock, ordering parts 
• In charge of  pulling bikes from the basement for new sales floor bike builds (choosing compatible parts, creating work orders, and keeping a productive flow going) 
• Fielding customer appointments/selling bikes 
• Completing quarterly metal recycling and bike donation pick-ups  

Mechanics 

• Level 5 - (see description in the Mechanics training and evaluation document)
• Must know how to search technical guides and how-tos.
• Must understand pitfalls and cautions that may lead to damaging bikes or components, and seek supervision/consultation when trying higher-risk projects. 
• Repairs/Intakes
• Follow Bikery’s Repair Intake procedure thoroughly. Ensure repairs are feasible and recommended. 
• Time estimates: give customers appropriate time estimates for repair completion; budget for a little more time than anticipated. 
• Cost estimates: give customers appropriate estimates for repair costs; communicate that estimates are not finalized, ask for an additional buffer for potential cost overruns, and inform customers we will call to authorize additional expenses.
• Ask the customer whether they want to keep pull-off parts. 
• Follow all guiding notes on the Repair Intake (eg. special requests like colored housing, component choices, fit specifications, etc).
• Save/put aside all take-off parts; label & store appropriately
• Ensures  all repairs are double-checked - gives and receives feedback in the spirit of collaboration and mutual growth. Is gracious and receptive to receiving feedback about mistakes they have made.
• Bike Builds
• Components are compatible and adjusted to Tune-Up standard
• Are priced appropriately, built under the budget according to the Parts Allowance
• Gets work double-checked; gets safety evaluation (ABCQ + stem twist check); is gracious and collaborative with feedback.

Point of Sales/Retail: We use Lightspeed POS merchant software. Lead mechanics are able to 

• handle Refunds, Deposits, split cash/card transactions, and other complex POS actions 
• Can handle cash, follow proper procedures for opening/closing register 
• Must be able to follow Bikery procedures for POS transactions, work order process, and bike build process 

Customer Service 

• Must be able to communicate clearly and professionally with members of the public 
• Must be able to handle stressful situations with caution and care; must be able to deescalate tense or chaotic situations (and/or seek support to do so) 

Professionalism / Leadership 

• Must be reliable, dependable, punctual, and consistently ready for work 
• Must be thorough with opening and closing tasks - especially those related to the security of the building and the business.  
• Watches to ensure that all staff complies with Bikery mechanic procedures 
• Watch for Staff Professionalism and give helpful feedback 
• Mentoring & Guidance 
• Can delegate tasks to staff suckas repairs, opening/closing, cleaning

Work Schedule: The Bikery is open 5 days a week (currently closed Wednesdays and Sundays). The applicant must be willing to work at least two Saturdays per month. This position is full-time ranging from 28-35 hours per week, 4-5 shifts per week, 7 hour shifts.  

Start Date:   Start date determined upon hire into position.