SODO Community Market Assistant Full Time

About The Position

Requirements

• General knowledge of non-profit organizations and issues related to food, hunger, housing, poverty issues and hunger relief systems. This includes but is not limited to cultural and institutional racism and their impact on society
• General knowledge and insight into the root causes of hunger
• General knowledge of and appreciation for the experiences of people living in poverty and with food insecurity
• General knowledge of food inventory operations: accurate product receipt and safe storage, FIFO/FEFO rotation, merchandizing, and zoning
• General knowledge of safety requirements: food handling practices, equipment usage, and site-specific needs
• General knowledge or the willingness to learn new systems such as Microsoft Office applications; particularly Word, Excel, PPT, Outlook, and Teams, and ability to work efficiently and effectively with other organizational platforms such as ADP, Asana, Mural, Zoom, SharePoint, and Microsoft Dynamics NAV Systems
• Understand individuals who experience poverty or food insecurity and demonstrate empathy towards all shoppers visiting the Market.
• Commit to Northwest Harvest’s PACI Values: Purpose-Driven, Anti-Racist, Connected, Interwoven
• Commit to Northwest Harvest’s Six Agreements: speak truths responsibly, listen to understand, stay engaged, experience discomfort and do things differently, expect and accept non-closure, and honor confidentiality
• Integrate equity principles and practices into all functions
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including the ability to listen effectively and to explain complex issues with multiple audiences.
• Demonstrate interest and commitment to equity and inclusion for members of historically marginalized groups, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ populations, people living with disabilities or chronic illnesses (including substance use), people experiencing homelessness, and people who do not speak English as their primary language
• Provide compassionate, trauma-informed customer service in demanding or potentially difficult situations
• Quickly organize, prioritize, and lead multiple tasks
• Build a high aptitude for developing trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Possess a high attention to detail to ensure accuracy, completeness, consistency, while anticipating and solving for potential problems
• Respond quickly to inquiries and issues; customer service skills are essential
• Take initiative and think critically by identifying, analyzing, and solving problems
• Ability to successfully handle independent work and team collaboration in a changing environment with multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Be nimble and curious by asking questions to understand the merits of different approaches, and shift approach in response to demands of a situation
• Have and exercise a sense of humor
• High School Diploma, GED Certification and/or equal combination of education and relevant work experience with a personal orientation as a life-long learner.
• Minimum (1) year experience in customer service, social services, human services, or similar work in a non-profit setting.
• Successful completion of a Background check is required.

Nice To Haves

• Non-profit experience is desired but not required
• The ability to speak, additional language(s) is desired but not required
• WA State food worker card certification is desired or can be completed within 14 days after date of hire.
• Forklift/electric pallet jack certification is desired or can be completed within 30 days after date of hire
• De-escalation and conflict resolution training to be completed within 30 days after date of hire

Responsibilities

• Promote empathy, dignity, and respect in all interactions with shoppers, volunteers, staff, and visitors
• Provide customer service to our market shoppers, volunteers, donors, vendors, and visitors, by assisting with access to NWH services, this includes but is not limited to; facilitating an environment that celebrates food, creativity, nutrition, dignity, holistic care, and fun
• Assist shoppers in identifying and connecting with appropriate community resources in the area, including organizations using the Northwest Harvest Community Resource Room
• Support implementation of shopper feedback through surveys, conversation, and other engagement opportunities
• Ensure a safe and friendly Market environment, and maintain an orderly and timely flow through the Market space during in store shopping and drive through distribution days
• Model appropriate crisis prevention and de-escalation skills when interacting with shoppers experiencing hunger, crisis, or hardship and participate in follow-up debriefing and documentation
• Foster community building and relationship building with shoppers and community members
• Collaborate with the SCMM and Team to provide support, direction, and appreciation to volunteers as they distribute, re-package and sort food, or other assigned tasks
• Assist with leading volunteer orientations, team huddles, and information sharing
• Set up and break down the work areas throughout the day to set volunteers up for success and maintain a clean and safe work environment
• Merchandise and re-stock the Market with available product to maintain a clean, engaging, and well-stocked grocery store setting
• Work with the SCMM and Team to ensure proper maintenance and cleaning of facility and equipment
• Assist with food receipts and distribution, ensuring proper temperature control, sanitary conditions, FIFO rotation, documentation, and appropriate handling
• Ensure all inventory protocols are tracked and observed (weights, receipts, inventory counts, data entry, etc.)
• Assist with loading and unloading delivery vehicles from Northwest Harvest’s Distribution Center, as well as the vehicles of vendors and individual donors
• Operate Northwest Harvest forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and other warehouse equipment in accordance with OSHA standards
• Adhere to OSHA and WISHA safety requirements to ensure a safe working environment
• Create and maintain a positive culture of hospitality, generosity, empathy, and graciousness, and model these Northwest Harvest values when interacting with other Northwest Harvest staff, volunteers, shoppers, donors, and visitors
• Attend team, department, and all-staff meetings, and serve on Northwest Harvest ad hoc committees/ cross functional teams, as necessary Participate in equity, strategy, and visioning initiatives
• Maintain a valid Washington State food worker card
• Performs other duties as assigned by the SODO Community Market Manager.

Benefits

• medical/dental/ vision/ insurance
• long term disability insurance
• Life/AD&D insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Vacation and Sick leave
• 8 paid holidays; New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day
• Floating holidays
• birthday holiday
• Flexible Spending account-HRA and DCE
• various AFLAC and New York Life plans