Join Housing Works as a Thrift Sales Volunteer or Intern Today!

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Summary Description

The Volunteer Sales Associate works to provide first-rate customer and donor services, maximizing sales and to support the daily operations of the store.

Essential Job Functions

Customer Service and Sales

• Understand and fully implement Housing Works’ customer service program
• Showcase exemplary customer/donor service, including but not limited to greeting, saying thank you, and explaining policies clearly and politely to the satisfaction of the customer.
• Prioritize assisting customers over all other store tasks.
• Ability to service multiple customers at one time with courtesy and sincerity.

• Employ suggestive selling techniques to better meet the customer’s needs.
• Know the daily sales goals and upcoming events or promotions.

• Actively promote upcoming events, sales, promotions and Housing Works mission at all stations and at all times.
• Assist with marketing store in neighborhood, especially during upcoming events.
• Cultivate relationships with repeat customers in order to serve them better.

• Preserve positive work-atmosphere by communicating with coworkers, volunteers, supervisors and customers/donors cordially and effectively.

Point of Sale/Cash Wrap

• Complete cash/charge transactions quickly and accurately, bag purchases efficiently and communicate upcoming events and promotions to the customer.
• Conduct furniture sales as outlined in policies and procedures manual.
• Maintain register cleanliness, cash wrap area must be clean and uncluttered, bags and supplies must be stocked and organized for efficiency.

Donations

• Greet and thank donors with walk-in donations and provide excellent customer service as per the Housing Works’ customer service program.
• Offer Donor Inventory Form and provide any assistance as necessary to the donor.
• Process merchandise according to store standards.
• Efficiently distribute goods to proper locations, taking into account all safety/processing guidelines.

General Duties/Asset Protection

• Maintain cleanliness and organization of sales floor, stock rooms, cash wrap, and fitting rooms.
• Demonstrate a high degree of integrity and enforce/uphold all Housing Works policies and procedures.
• Utilizing the 10/4 greeting, acknowledge all customers, monitor fitting rooms and be aware of potential theft/tag switching.
• Ensure register, cash handling and banking practices are in compliance with Housing Works policies and procedures.
• Ensure that inventory and pricing guidelines are complied with and maintained.
• Report unsafe working conditions immediately and demonstrate safe work habits.

Housing Works Ambassador

• Participate in at least one direct action per quarter aimed at ending the twin crises of homelessness and HIV/AIDS.
• Know the Housing Works’ Mission Statement and goals and be able to inform and discuss with customers.

Create Volunteer Culture

• Create and maintain a welcoming environment for volunteers.
• Work with all staff to train and develop volunteers.
• Actively recruit for volunteers from customers, donors, and neighborhood institutions.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Attend Info Session/Interview with Volunteer Program Manager
• Must be 16 and over to apply independently. People aged 14 and 15 must obtain working papers from their school and parent’s permission before attending a session.
• Complete in-store orientation and training after completing Info Session/Interview
• Strong interest in the HW mission to end the dual crises of homelessness and HIV/AIDS
• Commitment to excellent customer service
• Excellent communications skills (both verbal and written), interpersonal and team-oriented skills
• Self-starting, self motivating mindset
• Attention to detail
• Basic mathematical skills to include adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and calculating percentages
• Flexibility in schedule
• Ability to stand, walk, kneel, and bend for long periods of time and lift up to 40 pounds