Worker Owned Pedal Express Job Opening

WHAT?! Become a worker owner!

Pedal Express is looking for a new worker-owner to start training in December, 2014.  This position is part time, 24 hours to 32 hours per week plus a bimonthly 2 hour meeting.  Must be available to work Wednesdays and Fridays - the rest of the schedule is otherwise flexible. Work hours are 9am-5pm.

Pedal Express is Hiring a New Worker Owner

There is a 3 month trial period during which you will be considered an “employee.”  You will not receive most benefits during the trial period.  Upon conclusion of the trial, a vote will be held to determine your becoming an owner.  Owners are required to contribute a $750 “buy-in,” which can be paid in installments.  

Who We Are:

Pedal Express is the East Bay’s premier bicycle courier service.  We are a worker-owned cooperative that opened for business in 1994.  We offer same-day deliveries in  Berkeley, Oakland, and Emeryville.  While we do offer cargo delivery up to 200 pounds, the majority of our work is not oversized and much of it occurs along regularly scheduled routes.  We are a small company with 2 worker-owners and a handful of “Emergency Riders.”  We have always been cooperatively owned, and all of our company decisions are made democratically through consensus.  

Our New Worker Owner:

Will work a minimum of three, 8-hour shifts, and will also be responsible for a share of our administrative and marketing duties.  We are actively growing and seeking new clients, so enthusiasm for running a small business is just as important - if not more so - than enthusiasm for cycling.  The most challenging part of this job is all the little details and larger side projects that go into being an organized business owner.  

 

You are required to use your own bicycle, and will need to have a rack and multiple gears.  We can provide a front rack.  In addition, you will have access to our fleet of cargo bikes, trailers, and tools.  

 

We are looking for someone who meets all of our required qualifications and at least some of the desired ones. We are happy to work to train you in some areas that you do not have experience in.  

 

We are looking for someone interested in running and owning a small, local business.  Our ideal candidate will be able to make a year commitment to Pedal Express.

 

Women and/or people of color are encouraged to apply.

Required Qualifications:

  • Prepared and excited to own and grow a business and participate in all forms of marketing, including print, online, by telephone and in person

  • Competent cyclist willing and able to push yourself physically when the need arises

  • Prepared and equipped to ride in all Bay Area weather conditions, including pouring rain

  • General computer skills

  • Ability to take initiative on projects and see them through to completion

  • Excellent attention to detail and follow through

  • Sense of humor and good cooperative attitude  (large egos need not apply)

Desired Qualifications:

  • Bookkeeping and accounting experience

  • Marketing experience (print, online, telephone and/or in person)

  • Graphic design skills/experience

  • Basic bike mechanics (can fix a flat and other issues that come up on the road)

  • Advanced bike mechanics (can perform in depth repairs on our fleet of cargo bikes)

  • Skilled in the following computer programs: Quickbooks, Microsoft Office, Facebook and Twitter for businesses, Google Apps, Adobe Creative Suite

  • Experience working in a cooperative or democratically run setting

Compensation and Benefits:

Pay:

  • Pay is $15/hour.  

Benefits:

  • Owners are entitled to patronage (or, profit-sharing) at the end of the year.  The amount of patronage you receive will depend on how much profit the company makes, and how many hours you worked.

  • Owners receive a $100/month health stipend to be used towards health insurance/health care.  Pedal Express does not offer health coverage.

  • $250 annual stipend for bike repairs and/or parts and clothing

  • Considerable discounts for work-related bicycle parts and gear at supporting bike shops

  • NoBAWC (Network of Bay Area Worker Cooperative) membership, with 10% discounts to all other NoBAWC member workplaces

  • No boss

  • Regular 9am-5pm work hours with weekends and holidays off

Emergency Riders:

  • Not interested in being a worker/owner? Let us know if you’re interested in being an E-rider.

  • Occasionally we need irregular coverage when riders are sick or on vacation. E-riders fill in gaps in the schedule.

  • Pay is $13/hr with no worker/owner responsibilities, get paid to ride your bike

  • Best for people with flexible schedules looking for occasional, irregular work

Hiring Timeline:

  • Interviews between November 17th-26th.

  • Approximate start date December 1st - 8th, we are flexible outside of these dates

How to apply:

  • Tell us if you are applying to be a worker/owner, an e-rider, or both

  • Send us a resume and cover letter describing your qualifications

  • Your general availability for interviews between November 17th to 26th, starting between 9am-7pm.

  • Send all info to [email protected]

  • No phone calls please


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