EcoStore Program Associate

Job Title: Store Program Associate

Reporting To: Store Program Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Part-Time Hourly Benefited

Union Status: This is a Union position

Summary

The Store Program Associate is responsible for providing support for all store operations and backup for management of the Store. Duties include product sales, customer service, cash handling, receiving, stocking, deposit preparation, displays, inventory ordering, and occasional event staffing. The Store Program Associate reports directly to the Store Program Manager. This 50% position averages around 24 hours per week with a schedule to work Wednesday through Saturday. This position is covered under the Ecology Center/ IWW Collective Bargaining Agreement and requires union membership.

Essential Duties

• Greet and assist customers: Provide friendly and professional customer service, greet
• customers as they enter the Store, and offer assistance with finding products or answering questions.
• Process sales transactions: Operate cash registers and POS systems accurately, process payments, issue receipts, and give appropriate change to customers and work responsibly and independently in the Store Manager's absence.
• Assist in creating Store displays, merchandising, advertisements, and development of marketing strategies
• Work in collaboration with the Store Program Manager and the Communications program team to support social media initiatives, newsletters and other communication channels to support outreach, marketing, and community engagement.
• Receive, price, and stock store inventory & sales reports
• Assist in conducting annual inventory for year-end closing.
• Ensure that all store monies received are handled safely, following established cash

handling procedures.

• Assist in the preparation of store deposits within 24 hours of receipt of funds
• Maintain familiarity with, follow, and ensure staff compliance with all Ecology Center policies and procedures in the performance of daily duties
• Maintain product knowledge: Stay informed about the Store's merchandise, including sustainability features, benefits, and pricing, to assist customers with their product inquiries and purchase decisions.
• Ensure that store staff and customers observe safe operating practices and comply with organizational safety policies
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Retail experience, including customer service, sales and cash handling.
• Demonstrated ability to provide quality customer service, including strong communication and interpersonal skills, active listening, and the ability to address customer needs and concerns effectively.
• Knowledge of environmental issues and interest in sustainability.
• Prior experience of working on social media postings, newsletter or writing would be preferred.
• Must be detail-oriented, accurate, efficient, and well-organized.
• Proven ability to work independently and exercise good judgment in a variety of environments and situations.
• Proven ability to assist in the management of Store operations.
• Competency with word processing, spreadsheets, data entry and ability and willingness to learn new applications as needed.
• Proven ability and enthusiasm for developing and maintaining relationships with participants including vendors, customers, neighbors, and other members of the public.
• The ability and willingness to monitor and enforce policies with vendors and the public.
• Flexibility and creativity, capacity to adapt quickly and find innovative solutions to unique challenges.
• Strong verbal communication and organizational/time-management skills.
• Strong team collaboration skills, fostering a cooperative and inclusive work environment.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma/GED
• One year of prior work experience including retail and cash handling experience

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required to:

• Regularly talk or hear up to 8 hours a day;
• Regularly sit, type, and use the mouse up to 7 hours a day;
• Regularly sit and stand from chair up to 20 times a day;
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Regularly stand, kneel, climb, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms;
• Regularly stand and walk for up to 7 hours at a time;
• Occasionally get in and out of a car up to 4 times a day.
• Regularly climb stairs and/or take elevator;
• Regularly lift, carry, and/or move up to thirty-five (35) pounds.
• This position is a Part-time position with benefits at 25 hours per week.
• This position is eligible for partly paid benefits which includes employee medical, dental, optional vision plan, fully vested 401K plan, vacation/sick/holiday pay, Employee Assistance Program. This position is covered under the Ecology Center/ IWW Collective Bargaining Agreement and requires union membership.

Wage and Benefits:

Starting hourly rate is $22.22-$24.00 depending on qualifications. This position is eligible for benefits which are partly paid employee medical, dental, optional vision plan, fully vested 401K plan, vacation/sick/holiday pay, Employee Assistance Program. This position is covered under the Ecology Center/ IWW Collective Bargaining Agreement and requires union membership.

Ecology Center requires a successful background check contingent to hire.