United Way of Bucks County
Hourly Rate: $16 | Avg. Weekly Hours: 16-18 | Opening(s): 1
Job Description
About the HELP Center
United Way of Bucks County’s HELP Center provides food, clothing, home goods, cleaning supplies and other essential items free of charge to Bucks County residents experiencing financial hardship. The HELP Center offers a welcoming, retail-style shopping experience centered on dignity, choice and exceptional service.
The Work-Study Associate will work approximately 12–18 daytime hours per week, Monday through Friday with occasional weekend opportunities
Position Summary
The HELP Center is seeking a reliable, service-oriented college student to support customer service, merchandising and daily operations. This position is ideal for a student interested in community service, nonprofit operations, retail merchandising or customer engagement.
The Associate will welcome and assist shoppers, maintain an organized and inviting shopping environment, replenish merchandise and help ensure every visitor has a positive and dignified experience. The position will also support donation processing, volunteer activities and product distribution.
Professional Development
This position provides meaningful professional experience and opportunities to:
* Strengthen customer service and interpersonal communication skills
* Develop retail merchandising and inventory management experience
* Build professional work habits, confidence and accountability
* Learn about nonprofit programs and community impact
* Gain experience working with diverse populations
* Build a strong professional résumé and employment record
Primary Responsibilities
Customer Service
* Warmly welcome shoppers, donors, volunteers and community partners
* Assist shoppers in navigating the HELP Center and locating needed items
* Provide courteous, respectful and responsive service
* Support scheduled appointments, agency pickups and product distributions
* Help create an inclusive environment that protects each shopper’s dignity and privacy
* Communicate program guidelines clearly and professionally
* Respond to questions and refer concerns to the appropriate staff member
Merchandising and Inventory
* Stock and replenish merchandise throughout the shopping area
* Organize and display products in an attractive, accessible and easy-to-shop manner
* Sort merchandise by category, size, season and intended use
* Fold, hang, arrange and label merchandise according to HELP Center standards
* Monitor inventory levels and identify areas needing replenishment
* Help maintain clear aisles, orderly displays and a clean shopping environment
* Receive, sort and prepare donated products for distribution
* Support periodic inventory counts and special merchandising projects
Program and Volunteer Support
* Assist staff with volunteer orientation and project coordination
* Help volunteers understand their assignments and the community impact of their work
* Prepare items for community distributions and partner pickups
* Maintain accurate and organized paperwork
* Help keep workspaces, storage areas and program areas clean and safe
* Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
* Must be enrolled at an accredited college or university
* Must be eligible for a work-study position
* Valid driver’s license required
* Authorization to work in the United States required
* Customer service or retail experience is helpful but not required
* Interest in community service, nonprofit work, merchandising or customer engagement preferred
* Availability during daytime hours and occasional Saturdays
Essential Skills
* Friendly, welcoming and respectful approach to customer service
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills
* Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds
* Dependability, professionalism and a strong work ethic
* Attention to detail and an eye for organization and presentation
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team
* Strong follow-through and problem-solving skills
Contact Information
Will be provided to eligible interested students by the Financial Aid Office.
Does this position meet the Federal Community Service Definition? Yes
