WHO WE ARE

Through the vision to eliminate poverty in our community and guided by a passionate concern for the dignity and well-being of each individual, Bissell Centre’s work is based on building relationships, hope and trust. Our mission is to work with others to empower people to move from poverty to cultural, social, and economic prosperity. We empower people to meet their own basic daily needs, participate in community and have sustainable livelihoods, secure housing, feel hope for the future and make plans for a prosperous life. By joining Bissell Centre, you will become part of a fast-paced and dedicated team that works together to realize our vision. 

Are you looking to make an impact in your community? Do you have endless optimism, ready to move and create change in the community? Through the vision to eliminate poverty in our community and guided by a passionate concern for the dignity and well-being of each individual, Bissell Centre’s work is based on building relationships, hope and trust. Our community comes from all walks of life and so do we. 

Through our programs we work to empower people from meeting their own basic daily needs to having sustainable livelihoods, secure housing, and feeling hope for the future and make plans for a prosperous life. By joining Bissell Centre, you will become part of a fast-paced and dedicated team that works together to realize our vision.

Currently, Bissell Centre is looking for an individual wanting to join our Retail Thrift Shop team. Are you ready to be our Store Associate - Summer Contract and make an impact in our community?

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Associate Store Manager, Thrift Shop, the Store Associate - Summer Contract is an essential member of our retail thrift shop team, responsible for providing excellent customer service and assisting with various store operations.

As a Store Associate, you will engage with customers, process transactions, organize merchandise, and support the overall functioning of the thrift shop. This would be a great opportunity for to get practical experience in a dynamic and diverse environment, where their efforts contribute to the success of our charitable mission.

This position is 9-week contract funded through the Canada Summer Jobs program. In accordance with program requirements, applicants must be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of employment. Candidates must also be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee protection under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and must be legally authorized to work in Canada.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ambassadorship

• Model the values of Bissell Centre and communicate these principles in a clear and compelling fashion both internally and externally. Translate organizational values into departmental culture and everyday activities to foster a welcoming and engaging working environment.
• Mission and Vision focused and driven to provide human-centered services and access to clothing and hygienic security for community members.
• Show empathy and the ability to communicate with and support individuals experiencing mental health, addictions, chronic illness, houselessness, poverty, and other complex life challenges. Able to respond appropriately to intense situations, provide conflict resolution, and work directly with individuals living with unique barriers.

Departmental Operations

• Customer Service:
• Greet and welcome customers with a friendly and approachable demeanor.
• Assist customers in finding items, answering questions, and providing product information.
• Offer prompt and courteous service, ensuring a positive shopping experience for every customer.
• Assist customers with fitting rooms and ensure fitting rooms are clean and maintained for a high quality ‘try-on’ experience.
• Point of Sale (POS) Operations:
• Operate the cash register and handle cash, credit/debit card transactions accurately.
• Process purchases, returns, and exchanges efficiently while adhering to shop policies.
• Maintain accurate transaction records and provide receipts to customers.
• Merchandising and Inventory Management:
• Help maintain a well-organized and visually appealing sales floor.
• Assist with restocking shelves and racks with newly processed merchandise and inform the Processing Coordinator and store management of low inventory.
• Perform regular checks for damaged or unsellable items and remove them from the sales floor.
• Donation Processing Support:
• Assist the Processing Coordinator in receiving, sorting, and tagging incoming donations.
• Collaborate in pricing merchandise based on established guidelines.
• Ensure the timely placement of processed items onto the sales floor.
• Cleaning and Store Maintenance:
• Keep the store clean, tidy, and free from clutter.
• Dust and clean shelves, display units, and windows regularly.
• Assist in maintaining a safe and hazard-free environment for customers, staff, and volunteers.
• Customer Engagement:
• Engage customers in conversations to promote the thrift shop's mission and programs.
• Encourage customers to participate in donation drives and events.
• Teamwork and Communication:
• Collaborate with staff and volunteers on various operational tasks including following the direction of supervisors in assigned projects.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, ensuring a smooth flow of operations.
• Contribute to the creative innovation and atmosphere of the store through idea sharing and collaborative decision making.
• Special Events and Promotions:
• Assist in setting up and organizing special events or promotional displays.
• Participate in store sales, discount days, and seasonal promotions.
• E-Commerce:
• Assist in product curation for the online store including taking photos and posting to the business website.
• Monitor, prepare, and package customer’s online orders.
• Participate in the optimization of the photo room and online order storage space.

General and Administrative

• Adherence to all organizational policies and procedures including but not limited to reporting of staff complaints, health and safety concerns, and critical incidents.
• Participate in probationary period reviews and annual development appraisals.
• Attend staff meetings, training sessions, supervision meetings, and performance check-ins.
• Participate in organizational wide Community Safety Walks in the assigned community area(s).
• Signing authority as determined by the position and the policies and procedures of Bissell Centre.
• Attendance at and participation in organizational events including but not limited to the Annual General Meeting, Staff Gala, fundraising events (ie. Coldest Night of the Year), and departmental specific events.
• Perform other duties as required that may not be listed in the formal job description, or as assigned by the Associate Store Manager.

Qualifications

Formal Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous experience in retail or customer service is beneficial but not required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a positive, customer-focused attitude.
• Ability to work in a team and adapt to a fast-paced retail environment.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to engage with diverse customer demographics.
• Basic math skills for cash handling and transactions.
• Willingness to learn and adhere to shop policies and procedures.
• Physical stamina for standing, walking, and lifting items of moderate weight.
• Familiarity with issues of poverty and houselessness in Edmonton’s urban core is considered an asset.
• Familiarity with the not-for-profit sector and/or social enterprise operations is considered an asset.

Conditions of Work

Bissell Centre works with community members who are experiencing poverty, houselessness, and other complex life challenges. As such, the position requires a calm and empathetic demeanor with the ability to de-escalate conflict and intense situations using clear and effective communication methods (training is provided). 

Ability to spend frequent periods of time standing or sitting, and frequent periods of time moving, bending, and lifting. It is a frequent requirement to stoop or lift material, fixtures and equipment, and climb ladders. This individual must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.

Ability to work in a fast paced and agile commercial environment with varying air temperatures, and frequent exposure to dust, pet hair, cigarette smoke residue, and potential airborne and physical allergens.

Flexibility of the working week is inherent in the position as workload fluctuates. Working of some evenings, weekends, overnights, and holidays may be required and is compensated in alignment with Bissell Centre policies and procedures, and provincial government employment standards.

Personal Characteristics

The Store Associate should demonstrate competence in all of the following:

•       Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the mission and core values of Bissell Centre.

•       Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.

•       Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.

•       Focus on Participant Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of participants and the community to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.

•       Foster Teamwork: Foster, sustain and role model productive team management practices, and contribute to a positive team environment. Share expertise and knowledge to support, coach and develop others.

•       Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions that are timely and in the best interests of the organization.

•       Organizational Skills: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.

•       Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement action plans, and evaluate the process and results.

•       Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Screening Requirements

•       Between the ages of 15 and 30 years of age (per funding requirements) 

•       Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or individual granted refugee protection under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and must be legally authorized to work in Canada (per funding requirements) 

•       Vulnerable Sector Record Check  

•       Child Welfare and Intervention Record Check  

Training Requirements

•       Conflict into Calm Training - must be completed during the first month of employment

•       Narcan/Naloxone Training

•       WHMIS 2015 Training

•       Other required training may be identified as required

HOW TO APPLY                                                                                                          

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter to:

Rathi Ramakrishnan (Associate Store Manager)

Email:

Position Details: This position will run for a 9-week duration at 30 hours per week.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

Bissell Centre is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to diversity within our community and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, or disability. Bissell Centre is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees, in accordance with provincially and federally legislated protected grounds.