Thrift Store Sales Associate: part-time

Join the NVFS Family : As a Sales Associate with the Clock Tower Thrift Shop, you will play a key role in supporting our mission by creating a welcoming and enjoyable shopping experience for every customer and donor. In this role, you will provide quality customer service, support daily retail operations, perform cash register and front-of-store duties, process merchandise and donations, and help maximize sales by maintaining an attractive and organized sales floor.

You will work closely with the Store Manager, Assistant Manager, staff, and volunteers to support daily, weekly, and monthly sales goals while ensuring every interaction reflects the mission and values of NVFS. Timeliness, dependability, and reliability are essential to providing excellent customer service and supporting the successful day-to-day operation of the shop.

Why This Role Matters: The Clock Tower Thrift Shop is a unique retail program of NVFS that offers affordable, unique, high-quality merchandise while generating critical funding to support programs that strengthen the Northern Virginia community. For over 100 years, NVFS has helped individuals and families achieve stability and self-sufficiency, and every purchase and donation made through the Thrift Shop helps advance that mission.

Benefits and Compensation : We want you to be well, have work/life flexibility, grow your career with us, and have the resources and support you need. Check out our comprehensive benefit offerings here in support of various dimensions of your wellbeing.

This position has a pay of $15 per hour and is an on-site role.

Work hours: Weekends strongly preferred;
Minimum commitment of 20 hours per week.

In this role, you will :

• Accurately process customer purchases, returns when applicable, and other point-of-sale transactions while responsibly handling cash, credit, and electronic payments.
• Balance the cash drawer and follow established cash-handling procedures.
• Maintain the appearance and cleanliness of checkout and customer service spaces.
• Create a superior customer experience for shoppers, donors, and visitors.
• Engage customers, understand their needs, and identify sales and donation opportunities.
• Stock, organize, and replenish merchandise throughout the sales floor.
• Create visually appealing displays that showcase merchandise and encourage sales.
• Ensure shelves, racks, and displays remain organized, clean, safe, and stocked throughout the day.
• Rotate merchandise and assist with seasonal displays, promotions, and store resets as needed.
• Process merchandise and store donations according to established guidelines.
• Work collaboratively with the Store Manager, Assistant Manager, staff, and volunteers to achieve operational and sales goals.
• Foster a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive environment for customers, donors, volunteers, and staff.
• Assist with annual inventories, special events, marketing efforts, and other operational projects as needed.
• Attend meetings and provide regular updates as requested by the Store Manager and/or Assistant Manager.
• Communicate customer feedback, concerns, and safety issues promptly to store leadership.
• Maintain current knowledge of NVFS programs and events to effectively engage customers and donors.
• As assigned, supervise, train, support, and/or collaborate with volunteers and interns.

Your Background: We understand that you may obtain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences.

• Ability to use a cash register, calculator, and credit card processing machine and make change accurately.
• Related work experience in retail sales and customer service preferred; familiarity with thrift store and aftermarket pricing is a plus.
• Marketing experience is a plus.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English and interact with English-speaking customers and donors;
  Spanish language fluency is a plus.
• Strong customer service orientation with the ability to communicate respectfully, clearly, effectively, tactfully, and patiently in person and on the phone.
• Ability to work collaboratively with thrift store staff and volunteers.
• Excellent multitasking skills with a solution-oriented and collaborative approach.
• Digital and technical proficiency, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to demonstrate a One-NVFS mindset by being mission-oriented, accountable to the organization, and supportive of colleagues across programs and departments.
• Team-oriented and willing to collaborate, support colleagues, and share…