Generalist I & Generalist II

Generalist Positions Available

We have openings for full-time generalist positions at two of our retail stores: Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, and Powell's Books on Hawthorne.

The successful candidates will have a strong and demonstrated commitment to excellent customer service, adaptability and flexibility, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and attention to detail. Powell's Books is known worldwide as a premier independent bookstore and an icon in the Portland community. We're committed to fostering a culture and environment of inclusion, empowerment, and respect – a place where everyone can show up fully as themselves and do their best work every day.

All regular full-time employees enjoy benefits including: generous healthcare plan (medical, vision, and dental), 401(k) savings plan, education benefit, childcare subsidy, substantial employee discount that is also available to your significant other, children, parents, and siblings, book borrowing privileges.

Schedule: Schedules are to be determined, but will include Saturdays and Sundays, and will include shifts ending as late as 9pm.

Pay Range: $16.80 per hour, increasing to $17.50 per hour, effective the first day of the pay period following the 31st calendar day from hire.

Additional Information: When applying, please include a resume and a cover letter with a brief description of relevant skills and experience and the reason why you're interested in the position. Please include your hours of availability, as well as location preference.

Closing Date: Sunday, August 23rd, 2026

Position Summary

Individuals in this position are involved in a wide variety of tasks within the store. As employees become familiar with various duties, they are assigned more complex tasks and responsibilities. Individuals may have more focused responsibility in certain functions, but Generalists may do any or all of the essential functions below based on scheduling and business priorities. Reports to department managers.

Essential Functions

• Customer Service: Understands and consistently upholds Powell's customer service standards; uses knowledge of Powell's products, tools, and services to make recommendations and meet customer needs. May provide event and publicity support.
• Communication/Teamwork: Effectively communicates with teammates, supervisors, and other departments/locations as needed. Demonstrates flexibility and ability to adapt to change and revised priorities. Competently learns new skills and tasks. May participate in training others.
• Cashiering: Processes sales and returns at registers ensuring accurate cash handling, paperwork, data entry, inventory integrity, and effective line management. Maintains awareness of surroundings, performing duties with high regard to safety and security protocols.
• Merchandising/Section Maintenance: Actively merchandises within sections; maintains integrity of section organization, shelf labels, shelf talkers, endcaps, and overstock. May partner with corporate marketing specialists to create displays that generate customer interest and sell books and gifts.
• Shelving: Understands and upholds Powell's sorting, restocking, shelving, and visual presentation standards as well as productivity expectations.
• Running/Transfers: Effectively participates in tasks across product lines such as pulling and processing returns, culls, and internet orders.
• Inventory Management: Attains competence in a range of processes including markdowns, cycle counting, data entry, receiving product into inventory. May be trained in other aspects of purchasing and/or used book buying.
• Work Environment: Demonstrates consistent adherence to safety protocols; maintains sanitary and organized work stations, workspaces, and sales areas.

Requirements / Qualifications

• Demonstrated retail experience, book sales, or restaurant experience preferred.
• Customer service skills.
• Computer skills preferred.
• Love of books and reading.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Excellent communication/interpersonal skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities.
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Physical requirements – Group U