Retail Sales Associate

Transitions Mental Health Asso • San Luis Obispo, CA

1d • $18 - $19

About The Position

Growing Grounds Downtown (GGD) is a retail outlet specializing in houseplants and gift items in downtown San Luis Obispo serving as a vocational training site for adults with mental health diagnoses, offering an opportunity for this population to gain experience in customer service and retail sales in a supported employment environment. The Retail Sales Associate is responsible for all customer service and sales functions at the Growing Grounds Downtown site. Duties include serving as job coach working with consumers of mental health services; greeting and engaging customers; opening and closing the shop; processing cash and credit sales transactions; receiving and pricing new merchandise; packaging and wrapping sold items; merchandising goods for sale; and maintaining shop cleanliness. The position is responsible for providing clear trauma informed communication with the Program Supervisor regarding sales strategies, marketing, inventory, customer feedback and feedback for consumer staff. The Retail Sales Associate will be knowledgeable of TMHA’s philosophy and mission and is responsible for promoting this philosophy within the job role.

Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• At least one year of experience in retail sales.
• Experience working in a human services environment a plus.
• Strong plant knowledge and/or nursery sales experience a plus.
• Strong customer service skills required.
• Strong monetary recordkeeping and cash handling skills required.
• Must have the ability to self-regulate, take initiative, problem-solve, and work independently and flexibly.
• Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative work style and strong oral/written and communication skills.
• Well defined organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and flexibly
• Ability to handle intense situations, display good judgment and decision-making skills, and remain calm and clearheaded under pressure.
• Able to work effectively with a variety of people and personality types regardless of age, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or socio-economic level
• Ability to possess and maintain good physical and mental health.
• Ability to work well within a team and maintain a professional, respectful attitude in the workplace.
• Ability to be willing to work with supervisor oversight and direction.
• Attendance is an essential function of this job that requires face-to-face interaction with clients and/or other employees.
• Ability to mindfully promote equality and respect diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all of the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.
• Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services
• Knowledge of the various dimensions of diversity, including mental health, gender, race and ethnicity.
• Must use reasonable precautions in the performance of one’s duties and adhere to all applicable safety rules and practices while acting in such a manner as to assure at all times, maximum safety to one’s self, fellow employees, clients, and other persons contacted through TMHA business.
• Conditions of employment include:
• Must be at least 18 years of age; possess a valid CA Driver’s License, at least 2 years driving experience and DMV driving record that meets TMHA’s current vehicle insurance requirements. May be required to utilize reliable personal vehicle and auto insurance.
• Must comply with a TB assessment (possibly a TB test if needed to confirm a negative tuberculosis result) and receipt of a criminal record clearance through fingerprinting.
• Must be able to successfully complete CPR training.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a human services environment a plus.
• Strong plant knowledge and/or nursery sales experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide adult mental health consumers with on-site job training, work orientation, and support services including role modeling, skill teaching, task analysis, proper use of job materials and equipment, safety training, guidance and support, and problem solving.
• Assist mental health consumer workers in building appropriate relationships and communication between customers, co-workers, and supervisors. Also, help develop conflict resolution and coping skills.
• Provide accurate and complete paperwork regarding the progress of mental health consumer workers; this may include progress notes, client files, time sheets.
• Promote, encourage and maintain trauma-informed practices in all services and activities. Practice and promote, both individually and in team meetings, TMHA’s Collaborative Communication Guidelines in order to facilitate clear, empathetic and person-centered communication.
• Be able to operate in the dual role of sales associate and job coach.
• Greet customers and ascertain what each customer wants or needs.
• Open and close shop, perform tasks such as sales reports and reconciling cash.
• Maintain knowledge of current sales and promotions.
• Maintain knowledge of policies regarding payment, returns and exchanges, security practices, use of equipment such as cash register and point of sale terminal.
• Be able to learn and operate Square point of sale software. Be able to calculate sales prices, discounts, total purchases and receive and process cash, credit, or gift certificate payment.
• Issue and redeem gift certificates. Track information on the Gift Certificate Log.
• Make inter-agency sales per protocol. Track information on the Charge Form.
• Maintain accurate records related to sales.
• Watch for and recognize security risks and theft, and work to prevent or handle these situations.
• Watch for potential safety concerns and report issues to supervisor.
• Watch for potential damages to plants or merchandise.
• Recommend or help obtain merchandise based on customer requests. Enter information in Customer Request List.
• Answer questions regarding the store and its merchandise, as well as the overall mission of the agency.
• Describe merchandise and explain use, operation, and care of merchandise to customers.
• Receive, process, and price new shipments. Prepare vendor invoices for payment.
• Problem solve and be able to correct mistakes.
• Stock, arrange and display merchandise to promote sales.
• Clean shelves, counters, and display areas; maintain cleanliness and organization throughout the shop.
• Prune, water, and care for plant material as needed.
• Bag or package purchases and wrap gifts.
• Answer telephone to provide information and receive orders. Check answering machine for messages and follow up.
• Communicate with co-workers and supervisor of daily activities and occurrences of importance to maintain a continuum of organization and cohesiveness.
• Stay informed and attend monthly staff meetings.
• All other duties as assigned by program manager and program coordinator.

Benefits

• Includes paid sick time and a variety of helpful employee perks as well.
• A few of our helpful employee benefits include membership discounts to various local fitness centers, as well as a voucher to Sycamore Mineral Springs for discounts.
• We offer years of service gift cards to businesses of your choice.
• We offer gift cards for walking, biking, or carpooling to work as well as 20% discount for shopping at our Growing Grounds Downtown Store/Nursey/ Farm.
• We host two employee appreciation events for employees and their families yearly.
• We practice Trauma Informed Care Principles, Guidelines for Collaborative Conversations, and encourage the use of pronouns.
• TMHA is also a pet friendly workplace (upon approval)!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED