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About the Role

APA! Thrift began in May 2017 with its 1st thrift store location on Burnet Rd, and we now operate 5 stores in the Austin area! Our stores are boutique-style, selling high-quality new and gently used items for low prices. All net proceeds directly support the innovative lifesaving programs of Austin Pets Alive!, a 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization. The Thrift Store Associate consistently delivers strong sales and service results. This is a hands-on, mission-driven role focused on results, reliability, and teamwork.

Responsibilities

Actively contribute to a volunteer-powered culture by partnering with volunteers during every shift and helping create an inclusive, welcoming environment
Work alongside volunteers to complete daily tasks, ensuring the work is shared and collaborative—not siloed
Support the recruitment and onboarding process by welcoming new volunteers and helping them get oriented to the program
Help retain volunteers by offering encouragement, guidance, and feedback during shared work
Recommend strong volunteers for deeper involvement or specialized roles to your supervisor or volunteer manager
Contribute to a positive culture by recognizing volunteer contributions through appreciation, gratitude, and shoutouts
Help set volunteers up for success by clearly explaining tasks, providing hands-on guidance, and offering in-the-moment support
Supports the front of house (FOH) team
Assist customers in all aspects of service and create enhanced shopping experiences
Ensure the store's optimal daily operation, including ensuring volunteers are assigned to the most urgent tasks and generally running the store per the store's standard operating procedures
Maintain a professional attitude with sincerity and enthusiasm reflecting APA!’s commitment to our customers
Greet donors and help them with their incoming donations
Resolve customer complaints in a fair and impartial matter referring all unsettled disputes to the Store Manager
Answer the phone and be friendly and helpful to all incoming phone calls
Be knowledgeable of and perform sales support functions related to point-of-sale procedures
Adhere to work schedule set by the Store Manager
Regular, dependable attendance & punctuality
Assist in performing daily administrative/clerical functions of store operations and cash transactions
Maintain the general appearance of stores and premises according to APA! Thrift standards
Assist the Store Manager with the overall operation of the retail store
Open and close the store as necessary
May be responsible for activities in the absence of the Store Manager; ie, act as the manager on duty in the event that a managerial decision needs to be made relating to pricing, urgent maintenance issues, etc.
Engage and drive new and existing volunteers to the store
Use APA! Volunteer software such as Better Impact and Airtable to engage volunteers
Touch base with volunteers on a regular basis (once every two weeks)
Create a recognition program for store volunteers
Use events such at Second Chance Saturdays to recruit new volunteers
Ensure there is current signage in store for volunteers to sign up
Work with the Store Manager on incentive ideas the store can roll out for volunteer engagement
Attend and participate in all required training sessions and meetings
Maintain open and consistent communication with Program Manager or designee, supervisor, and other colleagues
Partner with Volunteer Managers to learn about the volunteer programs and support volunteers interested in your department on an ongoing basis
Able to react to change productively and perform other related duties as assigned
Able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed
Able to work in a high-volume, fast-paced, high-stress environment
Comfortable working autonomously when given goals and deadlines

Requirements

Retail and/or customer service experience preferred
Effective written and verbal skills, ability to interpret instructional documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
Self-starter, able to work independently and as part of a team and must have good time management skills
Committed to embodying APA!’s Core Values: Innovation, Respect, Drive, Resourcefulness, and Inclusion and cultural values: Humble, Hungry, Smart
Commitment to APA!'s customer experience expectations
Passion for working well with staff, volunteers, and customers—helping all individuals feel successful, appreciated, and connected to APA!’s mission
Strong commitment to volunteer engagement and support; dedicated to working well with volunteers across all roles
Comfortable working cross-functionally and serving as a liaison between volunteers, customers, and team members
Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to interpret rules, procedures, and instructional materials
Self-starter with strong time management; able to work independently and collaboratively
Excellent interpersonal skills; maintains a calm and professional presence in all situations
Strong attention to detail and high standards for quality
Adaptable to change and able to perform related duties as needed
Dedicated to delivering an exceptional and inclusive customer experience
Must be able to routinely stack, lift, and sort boxes and individual donations which may be up to or over 50 lbs
Must be able to access merchandise, tools, and other necessary items in places that may be out of reach from a standing or sitting position
Some stores have stairs-only access to areas that will be required for this position to work in on a daily basis
Can be on the sales floor providing active service for an entire 8 or 10-hour shift
If reasonable accommodations are requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job absent undue hardship to the organization
Work is normally performed inside the Thrift Store, some outside work may be required
Uses own transportation to travel and transport
Occasional after-hours or weekend work may be required to support program needs

Skills

Communication Skills
Reasoning Ability
Time Management
Interpersonal Skills
Attention to Detail

Location

Austin, TX
Round Rock, TX
Pflugerville, TX

Work Type

Part-time
Non-exempt (hourly)
Onsite

Experience Level

Entry Level

Benefits

Access to an Employee Assistance Program
Discounted Perks Programs
Fully subsidized Pet Insurance
Time off incentives

About the Company

Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is one of Austin’s most dynamic and beloved nonprofits.
The organization leads the No Kill movement nationally and is considered a national thought leader in animal welfare.
APA! locally rescues, treats, and adopts out 10,000 homeless dogs and cats each year, providing the safety net for Austin’s most at-risk shelter pets, which helps Austin to be a No Kill city, while also assisting other communities in saving homeless animals.
The organization is distinguished by its large volunteer workforce and the scrappiness of its grassroots and its non-traditional, community-based animal rescue work.
The organization continues to innovate best practices to save lives and spreads its impact by offering resources and mentorship related to its renowned lifesaving model through American Pets Alive!, APA!’s national division.
In 2020, American Pets Alive! began the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) - an innovative initiative aimed at rethinking the traditional model of animal sheltering.
It focuses on supporting both people and pets in the community to reduce the number of animals entering shelters and improve outcomes for both.
The project encourages collaboration between animal welfare organizations and community-based services, with a goal of providing personalized, proactive support that positions animal welfare as a social service.

Equal Opportunity

Austin Pets Alive! is an equal employment opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by the issues we engage on.
We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ people, women, transgender and gender non-conforming people, and people with disabilities to apply.
Austin Pets Alive! does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Austin Pets Alive! is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, community focus, and innovation.
APA! is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in the employment application process.
To request an accommodation, please contact Talent Acquisition at job@austinpetsalive.org at least one week in advance of your interview.