Craigslist
Bookstore Staff Position (oakland lake merritt / grand)
Walden Pond Books is currently hiring to fill a part-time bookstore staff position. The position is 22-29 hours (3-4 days) per week, to begin by the end of October 2025. We are offering a starting wage of $21.00 per hour, as well as PTO and sick leave.
We are a family-owned, independent bookstore operating in the Lake Merritt neighborhood of Oakland, CA since 1973. Read more about the store on our website: www.waldenpondbooks.com
We are looking for a friendly, personable, knowledgeable, motivated, and organized new team member with the ability to interact positively with our loyal customers and tight-knit staff.
Typical job duties include shelving new and used books, conducting register sales, providing customers with recommendations, answering questions, keeping up to date with new releases, and helping with general store upkeep, including some cleaning. Future responsibilities may include used book buying, posting to store social media accounts, and curating various sections of the store. A lot of the work at the store is self-guided: we support each other in taking on new responsibilities that excite us. We like to think of the store not as static but as an ever-developing reflection of its staff.
This job frequently involves the following physical activity:
1. Lifting and moving large quantities of books and boxes weighing up to 40 lbs.
2. Pushing large, heavy, wheeled carts out of and back into the store.
3. Reaching up to the tops of shelves up to 7.5 feet in height, including climbing stools and ladders when necessary.
4. Remaining in a stationary position at the front counter for extended periods of time.
5. Ascending and descending stairs.
6. Using chemical cleaning products, including isopropyl alcohol, lighter fluid, Murphy’s Oil wood soap, and Windex, among others.
7. Working around dogs belonging to both staff and customers.
An ideal applicant should have:
1. A familiarity with current and classic literature.
2. An enthusiasm, appreciation, and respect for books and literature in general.
3. Experience in retail sales, including the ability to provide friendly, helpful customer service. An interest in selling books is, of course, essential.
4. An ability and desire to contribute to collective decision-making and work through disagreements in clear, respectful, and kind ways.
5. A knack for organization and attention to detail.
6. Experience with databases and Microsoft Office programs.
7. Experience and interest in social media is also preferred.
PLEASE NOTE: All staff are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
We are hiring for the following work schedule, with some flexibility around scheduling on Sunday and Monday:
Friday: 12:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday: 1:00pm - 9:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm - 7:00pm
Monday: 11:00am - 6:00pm
To apply, submit a resume along with a cover letter discussing your qualifications and why you are interested in working at Walden Pond. Please apply as soon as possible; we will begin reviewing applications on Monday, October 13th. Please provide two past employer references and include current phone numbers.
Please apply through the Craigslist "Reply" option at the top of this page ONLY. We will not respond to in-person or phone call applications. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to respond to all applicants, but we will respond if we would like to schedule an interview.
Grand Ave at Santa Clara Ave, Oakland, CA 94610, USA
$21/hour
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