The 2nd Cycle program and shop assistant’s job is to support the Youth and Volunteer programs as well as assist the open shop with daily operations. The division of labor involved with each program will depend on the applicant’s abilities and interest which will be discussed during training. Involvement with the open shop would look like helping with the daily tasks such as cleaning, striping bikes for parts, and other projects. This position is good for people that are just starting out in the bicycle industry, folks who want to learn more about bikes, get a hands-on learning experience, or want an outlet to help those in need in their community. The program and shop assistant will acquire basic bike skills and learn proper tool handling. The position is intended to teach and inspire the community who will in turn help 2nd Cycle operate smoothly and efficiently. While assisting the youth programs the job will entail teaching youth how to ride in a group and how to handle tools and fix their bikes. The volunteer program will require teaching volunteers bike skills and helping the volunteer coordinator with creating the daily to do lists for volunteers. Assisting the volunteer program can also involve projects that improve the space such as putting up shelving, rearranging the bikes, and implementing storage systems.
Service Activities
Open Shop Responsibilities:
- Clean and organize shop
- Fill cleaning and lubrication bottles
- Take out trash and metal recycling
- Clean bathrooms
- Wipe down counters
- Vacuum and sweep
- Check and pump up the sale bike tires
- Answer phones
- Assist customers in retail space
- Teach customers mechanical skills in open shop
- Create service quotes for on the spot and full service
- Perform on the spot repairs
- Open and close the register
- Operate the point of sale system
- Take in donations from the community
Youth Programs Responsibilities:
- Teach youth how to handle tools/fix their bicycles
- Ride with/be a sweep for group rides
- Maintain cleanliness of the classroom
- Restock resources as needed for youth open shop
- Be a positive adult presence for youth
Volunteer Program Responsibilities:
- Teach volunteers how to handle tools, strip bikes, build bikes, and organize the space
- Help create daily tasks lists/prioritize donations center needs
- Strip bikes for parts
- Sort donations
- Sort small parts
- Organize the bike storage room
- True wheels for sale
- Help with special projects (ex: installing storage fixtures, hanging signage, etc.)
Community Need Addressed
Young people often come into contact with the criminal justice system as a result of normal adolescent behavior, such as taking risks and pushing boundaries. Due to institutional racism and implicit bias, this happens more often for Black and Brown youth through the over-policing of communities of color, racial profiling, and disproportionate minority sentencing. The isolation and stigma surrounding criminal justice system involvement create additional barriers preventing youth and young adults from achieving their full potential. Protective factors, such as participation in positive youth development programs and connection to caring adults, can create safe and supportive environments for youth that prevent and reduce contact with the criminal justice system.
Position Outcomes
The Imagine Justice Project is a collaborative Pierce County effort to strengthen youth development and advance equitable, community-centered justice systems. One of the primary strategies of the Imagine Justice program is to leverage AmeriCorps volunteers to build the capacity of local organizations to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed positive youth development programs, and services.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
- Access to an emergency fund to address financial emergencies that may affect completion of
service term
- Access to tools and stand time for personal projects (off the clock)
- Occasional perks such as food and beverages for the team
- Discount on merchandise
Education Benefits
Skills and knowledge related to positive youth development
Skills you will gain
Trauma-informed care, adverse childhood experiences, Youth Program Quality (YPQ) methods, implicit bias, systemic racism, social-emotional learning
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment