Thrift Store Associate - Multiple Locations (Summit, Mission, & Selah)

Description

Job Purpose
This position plays a vital role in promoting and embodying the mission, vision, and values of YUGM. This role is responsible for the everyday functions of the processing or retail side of the YUGM thrift stores Including our NEW Selah location (opening 2026), as well as Mission and Summit Thrift.  

You may indicate on your application if you have a strong desire for one area or the other. However, you could be offered a position in either of these areas depending on current need and best fit determined during the interview process.  Our Thrift Associate level positions are all part-time, but there are opportunities for advancement into full-time positions. 

Mission, Vision, and Core Values

At YUGM we are committed to our mission of, “following Christ in helping people move from homelessness to wholeness,” so that every homeless person in Yakima County has the opportunity for permanent life transformation in Jesus Christ. Our mission is rooted in Christian values, and we believe by combining Love + Professionalism, we focus on achieving meaningful Outcomes that transform lives. Relationships are at the heart of our work, guiding how we connect with our clients, our team, and our community.

To perform successfully in any role within our organization, employees are expected to exemplify YUGM’s Core Values of Love + Professionalism = Outcomes. These competencies are demonstrated in the following ways: 

LOVE

• Enhance Christ’s reputation through personal interactions with others. 
• Pursue God personally, relationally, emotionally, and intellectually. 
• Be present, authentic, and relationally available in all contexts. 
• Demonstrate genuine and sacrificial care for the wellbeing of others.   

PROFESSIONALISM 

• Be consistently punctual and present at work, meetings, and appointments. 
• Meet deadlines and fulfill commitments with thorough follow-through. 
• Proactively measure work to ensure continuous learning and improvement. 
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. 

OUTCOMES 

• Pursue constant growth, learning, and improvement. 
• Think creatively, strategically, and spiritually. 
• Be regularly sought after for input and value. 
• Maintain YUGM’s mission clarity and exemplify a Christ-like attitude under stress. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Cultural and Ministerial Responsibilities 

• Uphold and promote YUGM’s Christian beliefs and behaviors, core values, policies, and procedures with a high-level of integrity.
• Develop professional, caring, strengths-based relationships built on truth, respect, encouragement, and trust.
• Provide ministry and show kindness and grace to staff, volunteers, clients, donors, and the community.
• Support initiatives that foster a culture of services, compassion, and faith within the workplace.
• Engage in opportunities to pray for individuals, departments, strategic plans and other YUGM needs.

 Retail Functional Responsibilities

• Assist the Retail Management Team in the building of the team, by being an example of “revealing Christ” to all staff, donors, and customers. 
• Provide a friendly and joyful welcoming to all customers when they enter the store and throughout their shopping experience.
• Assist the Retail Management team in register transactions including handling of cash and credit card payments and any non-cash purchases, in order to ensure accuracy and security of all transactions.  
• Work with the Retail Management Team to establish and maintain customer service standards in order to ensure compliance with the company mission statement and to provide a pleasant shopping experience for each customer.  
• Work with store staff in maintaining the physical appearance of the store on every shift, including by not limited to: communicating and restocking of janitorial and restroom supplies, removing safety hazards, picking up store merchandise and restoring to proper place, cleaning parking lot, sidewalks, windows and doors, store floors, break rooms(s), restrooms and other public areas, to ensure the safety and health of customers and employees. 
• Maintain and clean out fitting rooms on a regular basis. 
• Assist store staff in stocking store shelves and clothing racks, in order to provide customers with maximum shopping opportunities.  
• Under the direction of the Retail Management team, assist store staff, as needed, to set up or change store displays in order to provide a pleasant shopping environment and to entice customers to shop new areas or items within the store. 
• Communicate daily all events related to customer service issues or problems, register mistakes, employee issues or accidents, and general store operations to the manager, in order to ensure all issues are handled properly and in accordance with company policies and procedures.  
• Attend as required, or requested, all training events provided by the company and all store meetings as scheduled by the manager in order to keep current on any policy changes, new procedures, and other information essential to performing the job.  

Processing Functional Responsibilities

• Perform any of the required duties within the processing team. This includes all requirements related to accepting donations, presorting and pricing merchandise. 
• Welcome donors in a timely manner in a way that they feel confident that Yakima Union Gospel Mission appreciates them and understands their value. Look for opportunities to pray with donors.  
• As needed, handle the receiving and donation process with the utmost respect and care including greeting the donor, assisting in unloading donations, telling the Yakima Union Gospel Mission story, collecting donor information, repeating details back to donor and issuing a receipt.
• Help maintain clean and well-organized reception, presort and processing areas. 
• Maintain a clean and well-organized personal processing station.
• Adhere to, daily, all employee policies and procedures at outlined in the Employee Policy and Procedures manual and the YUGM Mission Statement.
• Recognize quality merchandise and effectively seek guidance on pricing from Processing Manager.
• Work with and effectively communicate with the Processing Manager, other processing employees, volunteers and donors on a daily basis.  
• Daily serve with fellow employees in a way that promotes a healthy and productive work environment.  
• Adhere to daily and weekly production goals. 
• Produce quick and accurate work in a fast-paced environment.  
• Understand and comply with policies and procedures related to donated items, including prohibited items and pricing guides. 
• Effectively use the donation receiving script to communicate appreciation, the Yakima Union Gospel Mission Story, and Corner of Your Field to donors.  

Requirements

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

The primary duties of this position are performed in a well-lit, climate-controlled environment.  The noise level in the environment is usually moderate. Conditions and physical requirements can vary by position and location. All Thrift Associate positions require significant amounts of walking, standing, bending, balancing, reaching, and lifting.