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Job: Seasonal Bike Mechanic – Bike Works Seattle

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Job Title
Seasonal Bike Mechanic

Company/Organization
Bike Works Seattle

Job Description
Seasonal Bike Shop Mechanic

Bike Works, the Seattle bike education and community-focused non-profit, is hiring a Seasonal Mechanic in our community bike shop. This position is part-time (30 hours / week), temporary, and is paid hourly. The position starts May 1, 2015 and runs through September 30, 2015.

Position Summary: The Seasonal Mechanic is responsible for performing bicycle diagnosis and repair, providing customer service, and offering general retail support in our bike shop. Duties include bike repair, sales, opeining and closing the shop, and commuinicating about Bike Works program offerings to bike shop customers.

Start Date: May 1, 2015

Classification: Part-time, temporary, non-exempt, 30 hours / week

Reports to: Shop Director

Primary Responsibilities:

Perform professional-level bike repair services (50%)
Diagnose and process bikes dropped off for service at shop
Adhere to service writing process, seeking to provide value to customer through repair instructions written for mechanic
Perform bike repairs with close attention to detail, safety, and performance
Maintain organized work benches, tool areas, and work spcaces

Deliver professional, accessible, and helpful customer service to a diverse customer base (30%)
Assist customers in purchasing a bike, helping them find the size and style they need, within their price range
Help customers choose bike parts and accessories to purchase
Operate point of sale software and cash register to cash out customers
Act as public face of Bike Works, providing general information about our organization and program offerings
Diagnose repair and maintenance work needed on customer bikes

Support daily bike shop operations (20%)
Open and close bike shop
Answer phone calls and respond to voice messages
Maintain a clean and organized work environment
Assist with processing donated bikes, parts, and accessories as needed
Assist with the recycling of bicycle bi-products and shop materials as needed
Assist with inventory upkeep and yearly inventory reporting
Work to create and maintain an environment in our bike shop where youth and adults feel safe, supported, and respected

Required Qualifications and Desired Skills

Minimum one year experience as mechanic in bike shop or related setting
Retail experience with strong customer service and communication skills
Strong foundational knowledge of bicycles, bike parts, accessories, and apparel
Ability to work professionally and efficiently in a fast-paced environment
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
Proficiency with technology including point of sale software
Hard-working, optimistic and enthusiastic demeanor that takes initiative and possesses a high tolerance for ambiguity.
Ability to work well independently and execute projects with minimal supervision, as well as a collaboratively.
Experience with, and understanding of, diverse South Seattle communities
Commitment to environmental stewardship, social justice, and youth development.
Passion for the mission, vision, and values of Bike Works

Job Location & Schedule

Typical hours for this part-time position are between 10am and 6:30pm, or 10:30am and 7pm, and will include weekends. This job is primarily based in our earned-income bike shop, at 3709 S Ferdinand St., Seattle, WA 98118.

Compensation

$12-14 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications, paid hourly

Conditions of Employment

Bike Works is an equal opportunity employer committed to assembling a diverse and talented staff. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, Bike Works does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or marital status. Candidates of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter, including names, email addresses and phone numbers of three professional references to steve@bikeworks.org. Applications received by March 27, 2015 will receive priority consideration.

New ad for women’s jeans raises the bar for marketing bike products

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We shared the news in this week’s Monday Roundup that Levi’s has just launched some new fits, including a line for women, of their Commuter brand jeans. The jeans are designed for bike transportation with high-rise waists, skinny legs and slightly reflective seams.

And befitting a clothing line that’s built for everyday riding, the video they launched today bursts through a dozen dull stereotypes about both biking and about marketing women’s bike products.

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Kaiser Permanente completes new bike path through North Portland campus

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Workers put finishing touches on the new bike path just south of N Failing Street. It opened yesterday.
(Photos: Kaiser Permanente)

Kaiser Permanente has just opened a new bike path through their campus on North Interstate Avenue. It helps close a troublesome gap and makes biking east-west through the Mississippi area and Overlook neighborhood much easier.

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River View bike ban might not be permanent, Fritz says

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Amanda Fritz

Portland Parks Commissioner Amanda Fritz has taken a lot of heat over the past week for the decision she made along with Environmental Services Commissioner Nick Fish to ban biking at River View Natural Area as of March 16th. The decision was made abruptly and came as a huge shock to many advocates who were working in partnership with the City of Portland to restore the 146-acre parcel and hoped to see biking access improved and officially sanctioned at the end of a public process.

We are working on the story and hoping to understand more about the decision from the commissioners, advocates, and other insiders this week.

In the meantime however, it looks like Commissioner Fritz has already heard from so many concerned Portlanders that she has issued an update about the decision, saying that there’s still a chance the city will reverse course. Here’s what she just posted to the official River View Natural Area website:

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Hundreds to attend ride to protest River View bike ban

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These shirts will be available at the ride.
(Design by Charlie Sponsel)

Update 3/12 at 5:30 pm: This ride was originally named the “River View Freedom Ride” but after hearing concerns from the community that the name co-opted important civil rights era history, the organizers decided to change the name to River View Protest Ride.

Portlanders are livid at the recent decision by Commissioners Amanda Fritz and Nick Fish to ban bicycling at River View Natural Area.

In response, 259 people (so far) have said they plan to attend the “Freedom Ride” that’s planned for March 16th — the first day of the new ban.

The ride is being organized by Charlie Sponsel, a member of the Parks bureau’s River View Natural Area Technical Advisory Committee and a lifelong bike rider who has used the trails inside River View for many years. Sponsel graduated from Lewis & Clark College (which is directly adjacent to the 146 acre parcel) in 2013 and has become the leader of a grassroots revolt against the bike ban.

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State’s anti-speeding photo radar bill flips ‘scofflaw’ narrative

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Just another day on SW Barbur Boulevard, one of 10 streets that could be fitted with radar cameras under a proposed state law.
(Photos: J.Maus/BikePortland)

When it comes to the rules of the road, there are a few facts of life — or, as sociologists might call them, social norms.

When people are in cars, they tend to drive over the speed limit if they feel it’s safe to do so and they can get away with it.

When people are on bikes, they tend to roll through stop signs if they feel it’s safe to do so and they can get away with it.

When people are on foot, they tend to cross the street whenever they feel it’s safe to do so and they can get away with it.

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Job: Part Time Keyholder – Chrome Industries

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Job Title
Part Time Keyholder

Company/Organization
Chrome Industries

Job Description
General Summary:
Chrome is looking for a kick ass person to become the newest member of the Chrome Familia PDX. This new member will be responsible for delivering a best-in-class brand and customer experience, hitting sales goals, and creating an easy-to-shop environment. Key responsibilities will include servicing customers on the sales floor, merchandising the space and keeping it clean, supporting inventory management, and an excellent understanding of a detailed POS system.
In addition, Chrome PDX shop familia are involved in community outreach, local guerilla marketing, pre-release product testing and development, and throwing legendary parties at Chrome PDX.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities
• Deliver a best-in-class brand and buying experience
• Help to keep the shop merchandised, well-organized, and clean
• Proficiently opening and closing the store
• Self-motivated and able to motivate other team members
• Support inventory management, including counting, back-stock organization, and reporting
• Help organize and run parties, local community events, and marketing efforts
• Provide input on key company initiatives, including product development and testing
• Proficient computer & communication skills
• Reaching and exceeding daily sales goals

Requirements
• 1.5+ years retail key holder experience
• Entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to find innovative ways to drive the business
• Knowledge of cycling industry and culture
• Knowledge of retail processes and procedures
• Strong understanding of the Chrome brand
• Stoked to become part of the Chrome Familia

How to Apply
Please stop in the shop with your resume and cover letter.

425 SW 10th Ave.
Portland

Congressmen Blumenauer and Buchanan introduce $30 million ‘vision zero’ grant programs

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Blumenauer would like to be safer on the road.
(Photo: J. Maus/BikePortland)

On the same week that the nation’s bike advocates roll onto Capitol Hill for the National Bike Summit, U.S. House Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL) have introduced the Vision Zero Act of 2015 (H.R. 1274).

The bill would set aside grants worth $30 million for cities to plan and implement road safety projects.

In a statement, Blumenauer’s office said the bill is a recognition that “communities across the country are recognizing that there is only one number of acceptable deaths on our streets: zero.” The goal of the legislation is ambitious: “eliminating all transportation-related fatalities, including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists and passengers.”

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Bike-camping group Cycle Wild now offers memberships – and travel insurance

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Lilly Rollby

A three-day Cycle Wild trip to Cape Lookout in 2013.
(Photo: Ferrous Büller)

The Portland-based nonprofit dedicated to using bikes to connect people with the joys of nature is doing something new.

As of last month, Cycle Wild has become a membership organization, and has begun selling memberships at the price of $10 a year.

Aside from supporting the organization and getting a formal stake in its leadership, the key perk is that members who participate in Cycle Wild trips will now be covered by an accident insurance policy provided by the League of American Bicyclists.

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PSU grad students will help plan Green Loop and North Portland Greenway

green loop options

Examples from (in order) San Francisco, Copenhagen, New York City and New York City in an online survey about preferred ideas for a “green loop” bikeway connecting the South Park Blocks with Tilikum Crossing.
(Screenshot from survey)

Two of Portland’s most visionary long-term biking projects will get a boost this spring from two teams of Portland State University planners-in-training.

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