Shop Assistant at Creative Reuse (Work Study)

Chatham University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 13,000 - 18,000; Part time

Job summary

Chatham University is seeking a part-time Shop Assistant for the Pittsburgh Center For Creative Reuse (PCCR). You will staff the shop, assist with events, handle donations, and create engaging displays.

This role requires strong organizational skills, excellent people skills, and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Reporting to the Shop Manager, you will work closely with the Materials Coordinator and other shop staff to maintain an inviting, well-stocked retail space and support fundraising

Qualifications

• Must have been awarded Federal Work Study.
• Experience with art materials, tools, and techniques.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent people skills and sense of humor.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Staff the retail shop and events.
• Operate register and assist customers.
• Price and research donations, plan sales and promotions.
• Maintain shop signage and display in a quirky voice.
• Direct interns and volunteers and keep areas tidy.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Multitasking

People skills

Social media

Education

Federal Work Study

Job description

We value our students! If you see an open position that is right for you, we encourage you to apply!

Name of position: Shop Assistant

Classification of the position: Community Service

Name and address of department: Pittsburgh Center For Creative Reuse, 214 N Lexington St, Pittsburgh, PA 15208

Pay rate: $11/hr

Employment dates: 8/24/2026 - 12/11/2026

Supervisor info: Leigh Williams, Shop Manager

Purpose:

Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse (PCCR) inspires creativity, conservation, and community engagement through reuse. Creative Reuse is for everyone! We welcome and embrace difference, and we are committed to equity and inclusion. It’s important to us that our volunteers, board, and staff reflect the diversity of our community. Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified persons of any race, ethnicity, gender expression, orientation, ability, and age to apply.

Reporting to the Shop Manager, the Shop Assistant will work closely with the Materials Coordinator and other Shop Assistants to staff the shop and assist as needed with all areas of the retail operation and organization.

Responsibilities

• Staff the retail shop and staff shop events as needed
• Operate register, answer phone, process donations, answer questions, and provide inspiration
• Check and respond to phone messages and relay messages to the appropriate staff
• Price and research donations and help plan sales/promotions
• Ensure the shop floor is fully and appropriately stocked in cooperation with Materials Coordinator
• Create signage for the retail floor and ensure signage is kept up to date, appropriate, accessible, friendly, and within the established quirky voice of the PCCR shop
• Assist customers with generating creative reuse ideas and with sourcing materials
• Clean bathrooms and kitchen, sweep, mop, and vacuum, take out trash and recycling, etc.
• Direct interns and volunteers
• Keep communal areas tidy (Magic Room, kitchen, bathrooms, desks, donation center, warehouse)
• Maintain necessary shop records (donations, volunteers, customer requests, discounts, etc)
• Check and respond to PCCR emails during each shift
• Use social media to share pictures and inspirations with the world
• Keep shop impeccably organized, tidy, clean, and beautiful
• Help with special projects as needed (fundraisers, events, etc)
• Scheme with the Shop Manager regarding the overall vision and awesomeness of the shop

Qualifications

• Must have been awarded Federal Work Study
• Passion for the environment, creativity, and community engagement
• Familiarity with and interest in fine art and craft materials, tools, and techniques
• Familiarity and interest in the Pittsburgh art scene, art history, contemporary art, the DIY movement, craft traditions, and creative reuse
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and great multi-tasking abilities
• Excellent people skills – outgoing, personable, and with good humor
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds, and bend, reach, lift, and stand for extended periods
• Good grammar, spelling, and writing abilities
• Good handwriting and interest in fostering sign making skills
• An eye for design, display, and pleasing spatial arrangement
• Cultural competency and ability to work effectively with diverse populations
• Money handling, mental math, and general math skills
• Able to manage conflict with grace, patience, and compassion
• Excellent technology and social media skills,
• Willingness to take other staff members’ shifts as needed, and flexibility with scheduling
• Must be able to work weekends and occasional evenings

A perfect candidate for this position is:

• Willing to pitch in whenever and however is needed
• Professional but also playful
• Respectful of deadlines and timelines
• Cooperative and collaborative
• A self starter who thrives on working independently
• Committed to finishing projects swiftly and with quality
• Able to maintain a sense of organizational priorities over personal priorities
• Unfailingly dependable and honest
• Able to easily produce quirky alliteration, puns, and jokes
• Passionate about educating others about reuse and recycling
• Committed to recycling, reuse, and other earth-friendly practices
• Passionate about learning new skills
• Really, really good at talking to all types of people

This is a part-time position. Our work hours are generally 10:30-5:30pm, every day of the week, with some half-day shifts available. We will work together to develop a great schedule that works for you.

All current student employees should notify their other manager(s) if you work multiple jobs on campus at the same time. Additionally, students may not work more than 20 hours per week (combined between all campus jobs) during the academic year. Students may not exceed 980 work hours per calendar year.

Student jobs do not automatically roll over to the next academic year or summer.

Chatham University strives to promote a campus environment that understands and embraces multiculturalism while increasing individuals’ intercultural competence. We actively work to build and sustain a diverse and culturally vibrant campus, which promotes employee and student success and retention.

Chatham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. Chatham University does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, age, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital or family status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.