SODO Community Market Assistant

NW Harvest•Seattle, WA

13d•$24 - $26•Hybrid

About The Position

The SODO Community Market Assistant (SCMA) engages with Northwest Harvest’s (NWH) goal of cutting hunger rates in half by 2028 by: actively collaborating with and supporting the experiences of volunteers and shoppers; engaging with local communities; supporting dignified access to food resources utilizing a customer service approach; focusing on collaboration and teamwork; helping to ensure strategy alignment of all our programs and initiatives; and putting into practice our Six Agreements and our PACI values. As a member of the Innovative Programs Team, the SCMA will support programs and initiatives that are aligned with our strategies and contribute to a healthy, engaged, productive, and influential team committed to collaboration and innovation across our programs. The SCMA is responsible for contributing to the overall health of the SCM Team and Innovative Programs Teams by working to build trust, engaging in constructive conflict, demonstrating commitment to team decisions, holding oneself and others accountable, and focusing on results. This role will receive most of the support and guidance from the SODO Community Market Manager (SCMM). This position may work into the early evenings on Mondays and may be required to work other occasional off-shift hours as necessary for special events or other duties assigned. This position may be required to travel within the state of Washington.

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