Retail Associate

POSITION SUMMARY

826 Valencia is seeking an adventurous crew member to warmly welcome all who seek explorer supplies, information, or services at our two store locations (which also serve as reception for our Writing Centers). Retail Associates sell 826 Valencia products and student publications, inspire people to get involved, and provide program and event support as needed.

POSITION SNAPSHOT

• Greet, engage, and support store and Writing Center customers and visitors
• Maintain, receive, and track store inventory, process purchases, and ensure store upkeep
• Support with tabling, space rentals, and special events
• Part-time, typically 2–4 shifts per week, weekend availability required; no more than 29 hours per week, possible additional hours for events and space rentals
• Locations and hours of operation: Pirate Supply Store (826 Valencia St.) 11:30 am to 6:30 pm, Woodland Creature Outfitters (1310 4th St.) 11:30 am to 6:30 pm

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

The Retail Associate reports to the Interim Retail Manager.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Customer service and outreach: create a welcoming and engaging experience for families we serve, students, volunteers, customers, and donors
• Provide information to patrons about our programs and inventory, or refer individuals to those who can help
• Sell store products and student publications
• Manage register, ring up orders, handle payments and receipts, and reconcile end-of-shift report
• Maintain and process store inventory, including daily stocking and quarterly counts
• Complete daily and weekly cleaning tasks to maintain a tidy and inviting environment
• Monitor health of the fish tank in the Pirate Supply Store and immediately report problems to supervisor
• Report problems with store facilities, equipment, or customer service to supervisor
• Ensure safety of patrons and security of our Centers, including de-escalating conflicts with the public and following lock-up procedures
• Table at events to sell products and engage the public in our mission
• Support processing of phone, online, and special orders
• Support with space rentals and ensure cleanliness, security, and safety of space before, after, and during events; be a resource to renters and event attendees
• Develop new designs for products and displays

Other Responsibilities

• Support programs and represent 826 Valencia at community events as needed
• Use Google Calendar to track schedule, upcoming events, and meetings
• Attend in-person Retail Team meetings and participate in the performance appraisal process

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Experience in retail, customer service, and/or visual merchandising
• Basic knowledge of Google Suite
• Conversational Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, or Arabic (preferred)
• Comfortable interacting with youth ages six to eighteen in the stores
• Preferred: Creative experience in Adobe Creative Suite, window display installation, product development; experience in event management; power drill/tools and fix-it skills
• Weekend and holiday availability and flexibility
• Able to complete a background check and tuberculosis screening. We will consider applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment, pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, but will not hire anyone with a record that includes a conviction of a serious or violent felony, sexual offense, or controlled substance offense.

Required Competencies

• Openly and regularly communicates information about progress toward goals with manager and team
• Understands when and how to escalate issues through appropriate channels
• Demonstrates awareness of one’s feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, and their impact on others
• Actively builds relationships and engages authentically with a variety of stakeholders

WORKING CONDITIONS AND TRAVEL

• This position will primarily be based out of one of our two stores, but individuals should be able to work in any of our locations and travel between them and to off-site events throughout the city
• Retail staff stand to greet customers but have a chair available
• The role involves moving and unpacking boxes, transporting items between Writing Centers and to events, climbing a 6’+ ladder to access inventory, and related activities (inventory can weigh 20–40 lbs)

826 Valencia is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. 826 Valencia does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, political orientation, disability, veteran status, or gender identity or expression. For more information, read the 826 Stand: https://826valencia.org/the-826-stand/. You can read about our core values at https://826valencia.org/core-values/.

• Paid Time Off: accrues 1 hour of Wellness for every 30 hours worked
• Employee Assistance Program, group life insurance
• Pre-Tax Savings: 401(k) plan with 3% employer match, Commuter Benefits, Medical Reimbursement account through SF City Option
• Support applying for affordable health insurance coverage and CalFresh, if eligible
• 40% discount at both 826 Valencia stores

Conversational Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, or Arabic (preferred)