Book Distributor Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Who We are:

Reading is the single most important skill a child needs. Yet many children lack access to books, especially books of their own. That’s why Bernie’s Book Bank works so hard to provide free quality books to children in our local areas to build personal libraries.

Our purpose is simple: Enable positive life experiences through books and book ownership. We envision a future where every child has equal access to books and the opportunities they inspire.

In order to accomplish all of this, we source, process, and distribute eight books annually to children ages birth through sixth grade at Title I schools and early childhood programs. Bernie’s Book Bank focuses on communities where children are the least likely to have access to books of their own and delivers the age appropriate, high interest, and culturally relevant books children deserve.

Bernie’s Book Bank creates pathways to success through book ownership and empowers children to explore new ideas, gain knowledge and strengthen reading skills. With the support of generous donors and volunteers, Bernie’s Book Bank is transforming children’s stories.

Since 2009, Bernie's Book Bank has distributed almost 30 MILLION free children's books.

The Role:

Bernie’s Book Bank is looking for an enthusiastic and dedicated individual to join our Fleet Team. The Fleet Team is the face of Bernie’s Book Bank to our book distribution partners and book collection partners. They work alone and in pairs driving trucks throughout the five-county Greater Milwaukee region to deliver bags of books to Title 1 schools and other partner organizations. They get to see the joy and excitement on the faces of children daily as they gain access to the joy of books. Our drivers are the face of our organization on a daily basis.

A Typical Day On The Job:

A typical day starts around 7:30am, loading up our trucks with rolling totes for a list of stops in the city or suburbs. You and possible you and your driving partner will work together to get the box truck ready to go out and then drive ogether to each stop on the list. At each stop the team will unload the needed totes, roll them into schools/partner location, communicate with school staff, and unload bags into assigned locations, reload empty totes on to the truck and move onto the next location as a team.

You/the team will complete their route and return to the building between 2-4:30pm. They will unload the trucks and reset for the next day, reporting numbers of deliveries for the day. Any remaining time on their shift is spent prepping books for distributions in our processing center in Glendale, WI.

Some days they will also collect books from donations partners which may require lifting and moving boxes of books and/or use of a pallet jack etc. This job does NOT require a CDL and is primarily Monday - Friday.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Collect and distribute books and materials, to various book collection and distribution partners across Greater Milwaukee (schools, WIC sites, libraries etc)
• Drive a 16-ft box truck alone and/or with a driving partner to locations throughout Milwaukee counties to distribute books
• Load and unload wheeled totes and pallets of boxed books on and off our trucks and into delivery locations. Unload bags of books from totes at delivery locations
• Assist in the preparation of book collection and distribution materials
• Provide excellent customer service to our partner schools
• Assist in the book processing center, as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements:

• Must be passionate about the mission of Bernie’s Book Bank
• Must have an exceptionally positive, “I CAN/I WILL” attitude and be self-motivated
• Must exhibit the following qualities: problem-solving, team player, strong work ethic, sense of urgency, flexibility, communicative, organized, personable/diplomatic, multi-tasking, relationship-building
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be available Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, some holidays, weekends, and overtime as required
• Willing to commute to Glendale, WI to start and end all shifts
• Must have a clean driving record and acceptable background check results

Benefits and Pay:

• Medical Insurance via BCBS, PPO and HMO options available, starting day 1
• Dental and Vision Insurance, starting day 1
• Employer covered Long Term Disability Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance available
• 401k with match after 1 year
• 17 Days of PTO a year
• 4 Floating Holidays per year
• 9 Paid holidays per year

Working Conditions/Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent will typically be working in a warehouse environment and operating a vehicle. Must be able to lift 50 pounds unassisted and be able to move and load books. At times, may be required to work within the book processing center. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential job duties. Job Type: Full-time

Bernie's Book Bank is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or any other basis protected by law