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Job Openings:

Title: Distribution Specialist/Fleet Driver (Non-CDL Driver)
Reports to: Fleet Team Manager
FLSA Classification: Hourly
Job Status: Full-time

Who We Are:
We are looking for someone passionate about helping close the literacy gap in this country. You will have the opportunity to be a part of an organization that has distributed nearly 20 million free books to children in underserved communities over the last 11 years as we reopen to our approximately 40,000 volunteers a year. We are looking for an energetic team player who is passionate about our mission to significantly increase BOOK OWNERSHIP among underserved infants, toddlers and school-age children.

The Role:
Bernie’s Book Bank is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated individual to join our Fleet Team. The Fleet Team is the face of Bernie’s Book Bank to our book distribution partners and book collection partners. They work in pairs driving trucks throughout Chicago and the collar counties to deliver bags of books to Title 1 schools and other partners to underserved children. They get to see the joy and excitement on the faces of children daily as they gain access to the joy of books. Our drivers are the face of our organization on a daily basis.

A Typical Day On The Job:
A typical day starts around 7:30am with loading up our trucks with rolling totes for a list of stops in the city or suburbs. You and your driving partner will work together to get the box truck ready to go out and then drive together to each stop on the list. At each stop, the team will unload the needed totes, roll them into the schools/partner location, communicate with school staff, unload bags into assigned locations, reload empty totes onto the truck and move onto the next location as a team. The team will complete their route and return to the facility between 2-4:30pm. They will unload the trucks and reset for the next day, reporting numbers of deliveries for the day. Any remaining time on their shift is spent prepping books for distributions in our processing center in Lake Bluff, IL. Some days they will also collect books from donations partners which may require lifting and moving boxes of books and/or use of a pallet jack etc. This job does NOT require a CDL and is primarily Monday – Friday.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

  • Collect and distribute books and materials, to various book collection and distribution partners across Chicagoland (schools, WIC sites, libraries etc).
  • Drive a box truck with a driving partner to locations throughout Chicago and the six collar counties to distribute books.
  • Load and unload wheeled totes and pallets of boxed books on and off our trucks and into delivery locations. Unload bags of books from totes at delivery locations.
  • Assist in the preparation of book collection and distribution materials.
  • Provide excellent customer service to our partner schools.
  • Assist in the book processing center, as needed.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  • Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and willing to show proof of full vaccination at time of hire.
  • Must be passionate about the mission of Bernie’s Book Bank.
  • Must have an exceptionally positive, “I CAN/I WILL” attitude and be self-motivated.
  • Must exhibit the following qualities: problem-solving, team player, strong work ethic, sense of urgency, flexibility, communicative, organized, personable/diplomatic, multi-tasking, relationship-building.
  • Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
  • Must be available Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, some holidays, weekends, and overtime as required.
  • Must have a clean driving record and acceptable background check results.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent will typically be working in a warehouse environment and operating a vehicle. Must be able to lift 50 pounds unassisted and be able to move and load books. At times, may be required to work within the book processing center. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential job duties.

Interested in applying? Email your resume and cover letter to Amber Emken, Human Resources Business Specialist at [email protected] 

Title:  Processing Center Specialist
Reports to:  Processing Center Manager
Job Status:  Part-time

We are looking for someone passionate about helping close the literacy gap in this country. You will have the opportunity to be a part of an organization that has distributed nearly 20 million free books to children in underserved communities over the last 11 years as we reopen to our approximately 40,000 volunteers a year. We are looking for an energetic team player who is passionate about our mission to significantly increase BOOK OWNERSHIP among underserved infants, toddlers and school-age children.

Bernie’s Book Bank is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated member of our team to be a PART-TIME Processing Center Specialist (PC Specialist) who will work closely with our volunteer workforce. The Processing Center (PC) is the heart of our organization. This position will be integral in our successful reopening to volunteers and creating a welcoming, fun and productive environment for our team and volunteers.

We are looking for someone willing to work about 20 hours per week primarily evenings from approximately 4pm-7pm (hours are flexible) and on Saturdays 8am-5pm. This is a great role for someone looking for a job after classes etc.

Our Processing Center Specialists work as part of the Processing Center Team and works on all activities in the Processing Center with a focus on production, quality, and safety. The PC Specialist must emphasize meeting distribution goals while providing an exceptional volunteer experience.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

  • Train and lead volunteers during sessions to ensure distribution goals and quality standards are being met.
  • Execute all dynamic production objectives pertaining to the processing of incoming books.
  • Interact with all volunteers to ensure a positive, friendly and safe environment, leading to return visits.
  • Execute Processing Center operations (i.e. organization, efficiency, workflow, supplies, inventory and cleanliness).
  • Liaison with the Back of House team to facilitate processing and inventory management.
  • Execute pre-session set up by resetting the Processing Center 3-4 times a day to effectively meet volunteer/session requirements.
  • Execute post-session clean-up and breakdown 3-4 times a day to effectively meet safety and cleanliness standards.
  • Liaison with Processing Center Manager to implement and provide input on new projects.
  • Support accurate and relevant representation of Bernie’s Book Bank brand.
  • Effective use of VolunteerHub to plan and execute volunteer sessions.
  • All other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  • Must have and exude an exceptionally positive, “I CAN/I WILL” attitude and be self-motivated, and goal-driven.
  • Must understand the value of relationships as the lifeblood of Bernie’s Book Bank.
  • Minimum 1-3 years experience in working in a public-facing role dealing with customer needs (examples include retail, restaurant work, librarian, reception etc).
  • Willingness to change/be dynamic to meet the needs of the business.
  • Ability to deal with changes that may mean rearranging priorities on the fly due to changing needs (volunteer attendance, distribution goals).
  • Comfortable speaking and articulating our mission to large groups of volunteers.
  • Skills & attributes: Interpersonal communication, organization, anticipation, multi-tasking, problem-solving, positive attitude, flexibility, appropriate sense of urgency.
  • High School Diploma; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
  • Ability to become trained and certified if needed on a forklift, stacker, reach truck and electric pallet jack.
  • Working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite and ability to be trained on Volunteer scheduling applications.
  • Must treat cleanliness, organization, process, and safety as essential functions of the Processing Center.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent will typically be working in a warehouse environment. Will be required to see, hear, and touch on a regular basis. Must be able to lift 30 pounds unassisted as may be needed to help move or load books. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential job duties.

Interested in applying? Email your resume and cover letter to Amber Emken, Human Resources Business Specialist at [email protected] 

Visitor Services Specialist – Front Desk Reception – Part Time

We are looking for someone passionate about helping close the literacy gap in this country. You will have the opportunity to be a part of an organization that has distributed over 20 million free books to children in underserved communities over the last 12 years. We are looking for an energetic team player who is passionate about our mission to significantly increase BOOK OWNERSHIP among underserved infants, toddlers and school-age children.

The Visitor Services Specialist will greet all volunteers and guests as they arrive in our facility, ensure a smooth registration process and ensure a quality experience for all those coming to our book bank. They will also help create a pipeline of new volunteers through contact over the phone and in person with local corporations and organizations to build interest in the Bernie’s Book Bank volunteering experience. While fulfilling responsibilities, the Visitor Services Specialist will be expected to maintain the integrity of Bernie’s Book Bank’s mission, culture, brand standards, core values and goals at all times.

Hours:
Wednesday and Thursday – 4pm – 6:30pm
Saturday 8-5pm
1 night every other week on Wednesday or Thursday staying until 7:45/8:15pm

Essential Job Responsibilities:

  • Answer/direct calls and greet visitors to Bernie’s Book Bank.
  • Maintain a clean, welcoming and professional front desk environment.
  • Help visitors check in at kiosks and direct guests as needed.
  • Assure “clean” handoff of all volunteers to transition team member
  • Maintain an up-to-date volunteer calendar by confirming volunteer reservations, opening sessions and recording advanced bookings.
  • Assist in building and maintaining a robust volunteer pipeline through volunteer recruitment efforts including; cold calling, logging interactions and researching local businesses and organizations.
  • Keep Bernie’s Vault stocked and assist in inventory management.
  • Assist visitors with purchases from Bernie’s Vault.
  • Respond to public inquiries
  • Assist with financial tracking (i.e. creating invoices, processing credit card transactions and submitting bills and check log deposits).
  • Provide administrative support to team members, such as ordering office supplies, organizing anniversary and birthday celebrations and managing printer stock, meter readings and service requests.
  • Provide support related to CRM data management (i.e. contact management in Salesforce, assisting with FormAssembly and Salesforce issues).
  • Secure VSS back up when absent (i.e. breaks, lunches).
  • Assist with events (set up/tear down, etc.).
  • All other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  • MUST have and exude an exceptionally positive, “I CAN/I WILL” attitude.
  • MUST understand the value of relationships as the lifeblood of Bernie’s Book Bank
  • Minimum 1 year experience.
  • High School Diploma/GED.
  • Possess the following qualities: organized, able to multitask/prioritize, detail-oriented, problem-solving, self-motivated, system-driven, friendly, enthusiastic, team-oriented.
  • Effective knowledge of computer systems and databases and ability to use them.
  • Is comfortable working with external audiences and representing Bernie’s Book Bank to the public.
  • Excellent customer service and oral/written communication skills.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent will typically be working in an office environment and be required to sit, reach with arms and hands, talk and hear. May require lifting up to 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential job duties.

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