Ready to turn your passion for great customer service and retail into a role where your voice—and your style—help shape a thriving community?
As Assistant, Distribution Center & Truck Driver, you collaborate with the Coordinator, Distribution Center and take lead from the Supervisor, Distribution Center, to ensure efficient movement of goods between UGM locations, and delivery and receipt of donations and guest purchases. You provide great customer service in a variety of pickup and delivery situations, being a positive example to interns, helping to find ways to make the movement of goods more efficient, and the physical activity of moving goods. You will provide an efficient and positive experience in the movement of goods. You will collaborate with the Social Enterprise team to provide safe, timely and courteous service.
This is a permanent, part-time (22.5 hours per week) position. The starting range for this position is $19.60 to $21.42 per hour. A valid and clean Class 5 Driver's license is required for this position.
Who We Are
Demonstrating the love of Christ, UGM feeds hope and changes lives through a faith-based continuum of care. We are a proud member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities and have earned the Best Christian Workplace award again in 2021. We provide competitive salaries, generous vacation and sick leave, an RRSP matching program, as well as the potential for educational assistance and flexible work arrangements. In addition, our extensive benefits plan is fully employer-paid and includes extended dental and medical, as well as $4,500 per year in pooled paramedical expenses. A focus on employee resilience, support for professional development, engagement in meaningful work, and a fun and caring environment are all part of being a member of the UGM team. If you are someone who desires to learn and grow, has a passion to serve and make a difference, and connects with others with both humility and humour, then you will be a great fit at UGM.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Customer Support Duties
- Model Christ in word and deed
- Create an atmosphere of calmness and compassion in the store by acknowledging each customer who comes through the door, greeting them, and inviting them to feel welcome.
- Build strong relationships with long-term The goal is to increase customer retention and provide vulnerable people with a place they can shop safely and feel welcome.
- From a perspective of Trauma Informed Care relate to and help meet the needs of the guests entering the Thrift Store.
- Provide short-term emotional support for customers who are in need and refer to other agencies and UGM’s continuum of care.
- Collaborate with other UGM team members in Hastings Chaplaincy & Outreach, A&D Recovery Services, Women and Families Centre, and Housing to provide assistance for high-needs customers when they can and are willing to be helped by UGM’s continuum of care.
- Maintain accurate information on community resources available to our guests beyond the Thrift Store.
- Among the Thrift Store team, act as the go-to for crisis management with customers.
- Coordinate with UGM Cornerstone/Outreach regarding consistently challenging customers or customers on “breaks.” Maintain and update “break” lists for customers who are on “breaks.”
- Appropriately engage with customers who are acting inappropriately or suspected of theft. Treat these customers with dignity and firmness, while using best practices to safely de- escalate and prevent violence or further issues.
- Maintain composure and compassion in the midst of challenging customer interactions.
- Maintain a high level of personal and staff Always carefully follow procedures related to customers suspected of theft.
- Peacefully manage customer conflicts via Non-Violent Crisis Intervention techniques.
- Maintain an accurate record of statistics as well as important information on guests/clients for future reference through ETO.
Other
- Adhere to all UGM published policies, practices and procedures, including Occupational Health and Safety.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Agreement with UGM’s Mission Statement (see www.ugm.ca) and Statement of Faith.
- Personal knowledge and experience of the saving work of Jesus Christ.
- Completion of high school required. A diploma or associate degree in social work or social science would be an asset.
- Related work experience is required. A mix of experience in retail and outreach or social work or urban ministry is an asset.
- Consideration may be given to alternate combinations of lived experience and education.
- Background in second-hand clothing an asset.
- Good English skills (verbal, reading and writing).
- Basic computer skills (Excel, Word and Outlook).
- Complete UGM Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Course.
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- High degree of comfort in a fast-paced environment.
- Must be able to lift 35lbs.
- High degree of comfort in a fast-paced environment.
Working Conditions
- Work Location
Work is generally performed indoors within a retail environment, with up to 10% of the time spent outdoors in all types of weather. Work is generally performed in a vehicle.
- Physical Requirements
Duties require extended periods of standing and/ or walking. Duties require occasional periods of climbing, pulling/pushing items, lifting/carrying items, reaching with hands and arms, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. Must understand and use safe lifting practices, and be able to lift loads of over 50lbs, as required.
- Work Conditions
Working environment is generally favorable. Lighting and temperature are adequate. Work is performed amid normal conditions of dust, odors, fumes, and noises. This position is required to work in an environment often dealing with clients in crisis situations brought about by diverse problems.
- Hours of Work
Some extra hours may be required.
- Hazards
Job requires working with chemicals. Job requires frequent interaction with the public some of whom may be upset, abusive, and/or violent. Job requires working frequently in unhealthy conditions, including exposure to bodily fluids, lice and bedbugs. Employee is required to hear information about clients’ lives which may be troubling or upsetting, and may cause emotional issues including vicarious trauma.
- Other
Due to the nature of the job, and our commitment to a safe environment, the candidate is subject to a criminal record check.
