Customer Engagement Associate

Housing Works requires employees working in our Health Services division to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless approved for a legal accommodation. If you need an accommodation for any reason, including related to this job requirement, please contact Human Resources.

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Housing Works was founded in 1990; With a long-term commitment to AIDS advocacy. Housing Works established New York State’s first harm reduction-based, OASAS-licensed outpatient drug treatment program. Other services include Health Home care management, behavioral health, and syringe exchange programs. A pioneer in the social entrepreneurship movement, Housing Works operates 10 high-end thrift shops in Manhattan and Brooklyn and a much-loved Bookstore Cafe in Soho. For more information, visit www.housingworks.org
Housing Works fights for funding and legislation to ensure that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, HIV prevention, and treatment, among other lifesaving services. 

Benefits:
We have three comprehensive healthcare plans to choose from based on your priorities and budget. Housing Works covers most of the plan; you pay a portion, based on your salary. Staff begins accruing PTO immediately for a total of up to 30 days earned in the first year. We offer employees an educational benefit. This money is available for tuition loan reimbursement, tuition costs, and text books.
Housing Works provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements. Housing Works complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Housing Works also does not request prior salary information during the hiring process. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
This position is included in a bargaining unit of Housing Works’ New York City employees represented by a labor union known as the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (“RWDSU”). Accordingly, the RWDSU has the exclusive right to bargain over the terms and conditions of employment related to this position and this position may become covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement (a “CBA”) between Housing Works and the RWDSU

Compensation: $17/hr

Overview:
The Customer Engagement Associate works to provide first-rate customer and donor services, maximizing sales and to support the daily operations of the store.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for opening and closing of the store in the absence of the Store Manager.
• Utilize Housing Works’ tools to ensure store operations and standards are met.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with all Housing Works’ policies and procedures.
• Constantly review store environment to improve operations and merchandising.
• Ensure that store uses daily focus with staff/volunteer deployment, sales goals, special promotions, and daily to-dos.
• Work closely with Management to train and develop skills of all employees and volunteers to ensure that all fully understand standards, organizational goals and direction.
• Ensure staff and volunteers have been thoroughly trained on register operations, visual merchandising techniques, and store maintenance standards.
• Demonstrate proper care, handling and maintenance of donations, store merchandise and all interior fixturing.
• Ensure store is merchandised in accordance with Housing Works standards. This would include but is not limited to creating exciting displays, displays that promote upcoming events, and execute floor plans that feature and highlight premium quality product. 

• Prior retail experience preferred.
• Commitment to excellent customer service.
• Experience/knowledge of thrift store environment preferred.
• Excellent communications skills (both verbal and written), interpersonal and team oriented skills.
• Self-starting, self motivating mindset.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong interest in the HW mission to end the dual crises of homelessness and HIV/AIDS.
• Basic mathematical skills to include adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and calculating percentages.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and web based email applications.
• Flexibility in schedule, weekends and holidays are required.
• Ability to stand, walk, kneel, and bend for long periods of time and lift up to 40 pounds.