Store Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 10:00am - 7:00pm | Sunday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm

Red Balloon will be closed early on Wednesday, March 20 at 5:30pm to set up for an event.

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Employment

Red Balloon Bookshop is Hiring! 
Job Title: Receiver / Bookseller

  • Position Type: Full Time OR 2 Part Time Positions
  • Starting Pay: $14.50–$16.50 depending on the agreed-upon roles and responsibilities as well as the candidate’s previous experience

Red Balloon is looking for an individual who is energized, organized, and has a passion for books to join our team of booksellers. We are looking to hire a new person to work full time (30–40 hrs/ week) in both roles, or part-time (15–20 hrs/week) in one of these roles. Hours could include some weekdays as a Receiver and some weekends and evenings on the sales floor as a Bookseller. See below for details of each role. 

Position: Receiver 

Receivers are responsible for the flow of merchandise coming into and out of the store. Receivers are primarily responsible for accurately entering books and other merchandise into the store’s inventory software as items arrive, and preparing them for shelving and merchandising. Receivers are also responsible for processing returns to the publisher. Receivers communicate with the Buyer, Staff Manager, and Owner about shelving and inventory issues. They are also responsible for maintaining records and paperwork, contacting vendors as needed, and coordinating with other staff members on inventory related to special orders, offsite events, and web orders. Receivers are also responsible for shipping all customer orders. While this role is mostly a back-of-house position, the person in this position will be expected to work at least one regular bookselling shift per week and to help out on the sales floor as needed.

The responsibilities of this position are subject to change based on business needs. 

 Summary of Responsibilities include:

  • Receive daily shipments for the sales floor and offsite events
  • Work constructively and collaboratively with Red Balloon booksellers on all inventory- related matters
  • Maintain and regularly clean the receiving and back room workspace in a way that best manages inventory, equipment, and space needs 
  • Communicate with sales floor about shelving, section details, return pulls, and inventory issues 
  • Maintain pack lists, invoices, and claims for credits in a timely manner
  • Process and ship publisher returns 
  • Help deliver books to offsite book events
  • Ship orders and packages for all customers and other special projects
  • Update section changes in conversation with owner
  • Participate in annual physical inventory
  • Maintain markdown stock
  • Provide coverage and assistance on the sales floor (including shelving, merchandising, and general customer service) as needed 

Candidates applying for this position must have the following skills and characteristics:

  • Prior experience as a bookseller or other warehouse inventory management experience. 
  • Availability to work flexible hours including evenings and possible weekends
  • Interest in learning about operations and processes
  • Physically able to to work a job that requires manual labor throughout the day.  A receiver is required to lift boxes that are 30–40 lbs., pack boxes, stand for the majority of the shift, walk up and down stairs, and shelve books
  • A positive and professional attitude
  • Strong communication skills with staff
  • Ability to multitask and adapt 
  • Ability to learn and work with new technology
  • Available to work a minimum of 15 hrs per week
  • Flexibility and desire to work extra shifts when needed
  • Willing to assist in other areas of the bookstore as needed

Position: Bookseller

Red Balloon is looking for an individual who is energized, organized, and creative to join our team of booksellers. This person must have a passion for books, love working with people (especially children!), and have the desire to deliver excellent customer service while sharing the love of reading with all ages. Booksellers at Red Balloon help customers in person, by phone, and online.

Summary of Responsibilities include:

  • Offer assistance to customers as they are shopping
  • Ring sales for customers accurately and efficiently
  • Gift wrap for customers
  • Assist other staff in helping customers and preparing for events
  • Attend offsite events and book fairs as needed
  • Bring up “ready-to-shelve” merchandise from the basement and shelve in appropriate locations
  • Write a minimum of one shelftalker every month and one newsletter review 4 times a year
  • Regular cleaning duties as assigned

Candidates applying for this position must have the following skills and characteristics:

  • A positive and professional attitude
  • Enjoy working and having fun at the same time
  • Ability to deliver excellent customer service 
  • Strong communication skills with customers and staff
  • Ability to multitask and adapt 
  • Ability to learn and work with new technology
  • Available to work a minimum of 10 hrs per week
  • Flexibility and desire to work extra shifts when needed
  • Available to regularly work both weekdays and weekends 
  • Physically able to lift 40 lb. boxes, walk up and down stairs, and shelve books
  • Willing to assist in other areas of the bookstore as needed
  • A good knowledge of children’s books for all ages and an interest in continually learning more

Compensation: Hourly rate starts from $14.50–$16.50 depending on the agreed-upon roles and responsibilities as well as the candidate’s previous experience. This is an hourly, year-round position with the potential to add hours and responsibilities. Benefits include earned PTO, Simple IRA (optional), and a generous employee discount.

***If you are interested in applying for this position, please email a letter of intent and a resume to info@redballoonbookshop.com or drop off at Red Balloon.***

Red Balloon Bookshop is a locally-owned independent bookstore that has connected people of all ages with great children’s literature for 40 years. We are dedicated to serving our community with books, gifts, and events that inspire, inform, and entertain, helping children of all ages—and adults!—live imaginative and rich lives.

Red Balloon Bookshop is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.