Thrift Shop Associate

Job Overview

The Thrift Shop Associate provides daily receiving and sorting of goods, routine inventory processing and display, customer service, cashiering, and sales floor maintenance support for the Mercer Island Thrift Shop. Supports routine clerical processes and interacts professionally with the public.

Work is performed under general supervision with limited latitude in the use of initiative and independent judgment. The position exercises some judgment in accordance with well‑defined policies, procedures, and techniques. All Thrift Shop positions require weekend work.

This is a part‑time (up to 29 hours/week), limited‑term position that will be re‑evaluated for continuation 12/31/2026.

• Ensures the delivery of quality customer service to patrons, donors, and donation site hosts
• Organizes a daily work plan with the scheduled supervisor and communicates with staff and volunteers regarding shift activities
• Receives, sorts, processes, and prices donated items, inbound materials in the location/system as inventory, and prepares items for retail display and use
• Recommends appropriate products and solutions to keep the store shelves well stocked
• Responds to inquiries, questions, and comments from the public per established standards and protocols
• Maintains visual standards, stock levels, and cleanliness of the store
• Monitors assigned and/or standard operations supplies/inventory, requesting and coordinating replenishment in a timely manner
• Assists with coordinating the transfer of priced goods between storage and the Thrift Shop
• Assists with preparing items for ongoing and current sales/promotions
• Assists with handling excess donations and the removal of garbage and recycling
• Conducts, as assigned, routine opening and closing processes per established policies and guidelines
• Monitors patron and staff safety and security, reporting any illegal behaviors, injuries, and accidents per all established policies, procedures, and guidelines; observes for loss prevention and reports to suspected thefts to assigned supervisor
• Assists volunteers with technology issues as needed
• Assists directly with retail activities, as requested
• Demonstrates and promotes safe work practices through awareness and observation
• Ensures adherence to all established City policies, procedures, and protocols
• When required by management, responds to Emergency Operations Center to support the City’s response during an emergency

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities

High school diploma or GED required; supplemented by some previous directly related experience; or an equivalent combination of education, certification, training, and/or experience.

• Valid WA State Driver’s License with a driving record free from frequent or serious violations. A three (3) year driving record abstract must be submitted prior to hire
• CPR and First Aid certification within first six months of employment

• Knowledge of customer service principles, practices, and the ability to learn established organizational standards
• Knowledge of standard inventory and merchandising procedures and practices
• Knowledge of clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, and other office procedures
• Ability to learn to use Microsoft Office products (Word, Outlook, and Excel) and applicable department / organization‑specific software, including a computer‑based Point of Sale (POS) system
• Skill in using mathematics required for the work
• Ability to clearly communicate and understand information in English, both orally and in writing
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Ability to read, update, and maintain various records and files in numerical, alphabetical, or chronological sequence
• Ability to review, compile, and organize forms, documents, and related records for efficient processing and ready retrieval
• Ability to work around allergy‑aggravating used merchandise
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those interacted with during work regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin,…