We Are Hiring
Branch Bookseller
Politics and Prose Bookstore has a openings for a full-time (40 hours per week) Branch Bookseller. These positions will float between the branch stores located at the Wharf in SW DC, and Union Market in NE DC.
Job requirements:
- Excellent customer service skills
- Extensive knowledge of books
- Ability to lift 25-40 pounds
- Experience in retail strongly preferred
- Bookstore experience preferred
- Ability to work nights and weekends
Duties will include but are not limited to:
- Assisting customers with book selections
- Operating cash registers and answering phones
- Carrying and unpacking boxes
- Shelving books and assisting with events
- Receiving book orders
- Designing and maintaining displays
To do well in this position, aspiring booksellers must have an abiding love for books and ideas; the ability to multitask; an impeccable eye for detail; fantastic written and verbal communication skills; curiosity and a willingness to learn our systems; a cooperative spirit and goal-oriented attitude and, of course, they must be punctual and dependable.
Complete and submit the online application below and email a resume and with a brief introduction to Jobs@politics-prose.com
Event Staffer
Politics and Prose is seeking part-time (approximately 12-20 hours per week) Event Staffers.
Event staffers are responsible for facilitating the hundreds of events hosted by Politics and Prose. Events are held at all P&P locations (Connecticut Avenue NW, The Wharf, and Union Market) weeknight evenings and weekends.
Requirements:
- Able to work at least three event shifts per week
- Able to work evenings and weekends
- Able to work on your feet and lift at least 40 lbs.
- Able to set up and break down the event space, set up chairs, move boxes of books, etc.
- Detail-oriented and thoroughly follow standard operating procedures, including managing inventory and sales for event books
- Have a cooperative spirit, strong customer service skills, and a positive attitude, especially in stressful situations
- Be punctual and dependable
Duties will include but are not limited to:
- Work with the event coordinators and managers to prepare for daily events
- Brief authors about the event schedule before the event begins
- Introduce the speakers before the event as needed
- Work in the bookstore in a non-event related capacity during the holiday season or other high volume times
Complete and submit the online application and email a resume and a brief introduction to Jobs@politics-prose.com.
Supported Events Bookseller
Politics and Prose Bookstore is seeking Supported Events Booksellers for their offsite events. This is a part-time (25 events or more per year, generally lasting 3-5 hours each) hourly, non-exempt position that reports to the Director of Supported Events. This position involves working offsite on events that occur days, nights, and weekends.
Supported Events Booksellers play an important role in conducting book sales at all offsite customer events where they also serve as ambassadors of the Politics and Prose brand in the greater Washington community. Such events include house parties, lecture series, think tank talks, book festivals, conferences, and the like. These events can range in size from 100 people at a house party to thousands of attendees at festivals and conferences.
Duties will include but are not limited to:
- Setting up and organizing book displays at offsite event venues
- Conducting credit card and cash transactions at events using tablets and the Square system
- Resolving customer issues and handling any book-sale related problems at events with office personnel as back-up if necessary
- Performing post event sales and inventory reconciliations
Job Requirements:
- Excellent customer service skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Highly organized and detail oriented
- Creative problem solving skills
- Ability to remain calm under pressure, think on one’s feet, and feel comfortable going to new places, often solo
- Team-oriented with a can-do, pitch-in attitude
- Working knowledge of Outlook, Google Docs, and Square is a plus
- Ability to lift and move multiple boxes of books weighing between 20-40 pounds
- Ability to work evenings and weekends
- Ability to work two to three events per month
- Ability to stand for long periods of time
- Valid driver’s license required and willingness to drive the small company van
Complete and submit the online application and email a resume and a brief introduction to Jobs@politics-prose.com.
Cafe Cook
The Den, Politics and Prose’s coffeehouse at its main store on Connecticut Avenue NW in Washington, DC, needs a part-time (up to 24 hours per week) Back of House Short Order Cook for its small-scale industrial kitchen. We are looking for a kitchen professional with back of house or industrial kitchen experience. Food Safe certification a plus. To do well the Cook must be self-motivated and someone who thrives as part of a small dynamic team.
Duties will include but are not limited to:
- Working with fresh ingredients and commercial equipment to prepare food and ready ingredients for use in service and retail items.
- Working short order lines
- Cleaning and maintaining all kitchen equipment
- Maintaining baseline food safety standards in cleanliness
- Maintaining a high standard of hospitality by clearly communicating with front of house staff
Complete and submit the online application and email a resume and a brief introduction to Jobs@politics-prose.com.
Finance Manager
Politics and Prose Bookstore is seeking a Finance Manager. This is a full-time (40 hours per week) exempt position that reports to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and is based at the Connecticut Ave location. The Finance Manager is responsible for accounts receivable, sales reporting, employee finance matters, and other financial duties for the store.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Manage all aspects of accounts receivable, including daily receipts reconciliation, posting in the accounting program, and administering AR accounts
- Reconcile various revenue streams
- Compile weekly sales reports
- Administer petty cash
- Manage various tasks regarding employee health insurance, IRA plans, and some HR matters
- Prepare and send 1099s
- Manage some AP-related tasks
- Assist floor staff with finance related matters
- Assist CFO with reporting as needed
- Prepare and submit finance related government reporting, including paying sales tax
- Work on the bookstore sales floor during the holidays and other high volume times
Requirements:
- Accounting or bookkeeping experience preferred
- Team oriented with a cooperative spirit and positive attitude
- Proficiency with MS Excel
- Experience with accounting programs; Sage 300 experience is a plus
- Strong organization skills
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently
Complete and submit the online application and email a resume and a brief introduction to Jobs@politics-prose.com.