Autumn Leaves Bookseller/Book Buyer Position
Autumn Leaves is an independent bookstore nestled in the scenic Finger Lakes region of Ithaca, NY. We believe that freedom of knowledge is crucial and independent bookstores are vital to their local communities. Autumn Leaves offers critically important radical books and media that challenge traditional ways of thinking. Our two-story location features over 60,000 used and new books across a wide variety of topics, and we have proudly served our community for over 30 years. We are owned and operated by PM Press, an independent, radical publisher dedicated to delivering bold political ideas and vital stories.
We strongly encourage you to visit our websites before applying.
AutumnLeavesIthaca.com | PMPress.org
Autumn Leaves is proud to be a certified living wage employer in Tompkins County. This is a full-time salaried position (40 hours/week) with flexible PTO/vacation and an employee discount.
Autumn Leaves/PM Press operates within a cooperative business model and does not follow a traditional leadership structure. Our ideal candidate is an independently motivated individual with book-selling experience who can assess the needs of the business and plan accordingly.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Commitment to a minimum of two years with our organization.
- 2+ years of experience working as a bookseller.
- Strong knowledge of various genres, especially radical fiction and non-fiction, as well as politics, philosophy, and history.
- Solid customer service experience with the ability to build positive relationships with customers.
Preferred Qualifications:
- At least one year of experience as a book buyer across diverse genres.
- Experience coordinating events, managing logistics, and creating engaging experiences for attendees.
- Experience handling social media, creating engaging content, and using analytics to boost audience growth and interaction.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Book intake, evaluation, and pricing. On-site training will be provided. Book buyers curate and select titles for purchase from a variety of sources, including buying from the public, attending local book sales, and sourcing from private collections. Applicants should have the ability to continually develop the skills needed to buy books according to local book trends, customer preferences, store inventory and sales goals.
- Being knowledgeable about radical politics and literature, including titles published by PM Press.
- Processing, preparing, and distributing books.
- Learning open/close procedures, balancing the register, finalizing paperwork, and completing transactions at the point of sale system.
- Keeping the store neat and tidy by putting away books, restocking, organizing titles, and participating in regular inventory culling.
- Organizing and supporting in-store author events, including logistics, publicity, communication with authors and participants, and setting up and tearing down the event space.
- Creating a welcoming environment by engaging with customers and sharing your love of books through relevant recommendations and discussions.
- Communicating clearly, listening actively, and promoting a culture of collaboration.
Requirements:
- Must be available to work nights and weekends and commit to a schedule that adapts to the business’s needs, including seasonal changes (e.g., holidays, tourism).
- Ability to work autonomously without constant supervision.
- Ability to stand for up to 8-10 hours a day, lift up to 40 lbs., climb a ladder, and perform bending and reaching tasks.
Autumn Leaves/PM Press is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. PM Press does not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, economic status, religion, creed, sexual orientation, disability, union activity, marital or parental status, citizenship, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, size, age, military or veteran status, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
Work Hours, Wages, and Benefits:
- $42,000 salary per year with an internally equitable pay rate.
- Structured raises based on term of employment
- Flexible schedule.
- Employee discount.
- 40 hours per week, with some nights and weekends as necessary.
- 10 days of paid vacation per year.
- A modest relocation package for applicants needing to relocate to the Ithaca area.
How to Apply:
- Complete this form
- Submit Cover Letter
- Submit Resume
(A cover letter is required to apply for this position. Please use this as an opportunity to show us your personality, share why you are excited about the role, and explain how your experiences connect with what we do.)
Work Location: In-person
How to apply: Please complete this form, which includes links to upload a cover letter and resume:
https://tinyurl.com/AutumnLeavesApplication
PM Press is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. PM Press will not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, economic status, religion, creed, sexual orientation, disability, union activity, marital and/or parental status, citizenship, national origin or alienage, ancestry, genetic information, size, age, military or veteran status, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
