PSA: Compass Cycles in Seattle has an open position for a bike mechanic

[fiamme red]

https://www.compasscycle.com/jobs/

Career Opportunities

Bike Mechanic, Customer Service and Operations

Starting Salary: $ 38-45,000

Seattle, WA

Compass Cycles is hiring a multi-faceted, long-term, full-time position in customer service, shipping, operations, and as a bike mechanic. Join our team and be part of a company that is reshaping the bike industry.

1. Help customers select the right components and answer their questions via e-mail.
2. Ship retail and wholesale orders.
3. Assemble the components we sell and the bikes we use for testing them.
4. Assist with the operations of the company.

Since 2011, Compass has designed, distributed and retailed high-performance bicycle components. We enjoy great relationships with our customers. We value our collaborative work environment and solicit everybody’s input. Our employees enjoy generous benefits and vacation. Our office/warehouse is located in the popular Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. We tend to promote from within, so there are future opportunities as our company continues to grow.

You have:

• college education
• excellent writing skills
• good typing skills
• proficient on Macs
• knowledge of Excel and spreadsheets
• solid experience as a bike mechanic
• ability to lift 50 lb

You will work 40 hours weekly with a flexible schedule (core time 9 – 2 Monday – Friday, remaining hours flexible). You will enjoy full benefits (health insurance, dental, sick leave), and 10 annual days paid vacation, accruing from the first day of work. Competitive salary is based on your qualifications.

Please submit your resume and cover letter. We will review applications immediately and schedule first interviews. We will select our hire after a second round of interviews with the finalists. We plan to fill the position as soon as possible.

Submit resume and cover letter to kenneth@compasscycle.com

[andeww]

9-2pm holy crap
i could be both kelly slater and lance armstrong by the end of summer.

[Spaghetti Legs]

Sounds like a good job.

[PacNW2Ford]

Ummm, 9-2 means you have to be there during those hours, the other 15 hours are open.

[Bruce K]

Sounds like good compensation but don’t they mostly sell components?

How much wrenching is really involved?

Interesting opportunity

BK

[zzy]

building test rigs for compass would actually be really fun

[charliedid]

Originally Posted by Bruce K

Sounds like good compensation but don’t they mostly sell components?

How much wrenching is really involved?

Interesting opportunity

BK

Probably not much in the overall scheme. I think they are looking for an all-rounder that has solid mech. skills to be able to assist customers with the right choices. I have no idea how many bikes roll through for review purposes.

My guess anyway.

[m_sasso]

Good luck trying to exist on that renumeration in Seattle, WA.

Like you would even have the ability to pay back student loans for your college education?

10 annual days paid vacation, next to slave labor!

[Bruce K]

Marc, are you being serious, and, if so, which parts?

10 days paid vacation in your first year of employment is pretty good by most standards.

Student loans could be an issue, but if you got s degree from a private college that has limited/no marketability, that would be an issue in almost any entry level job.

I was curious about rent/living costs there.

The bike industry as a whole does not pay well for most folks below management level jobs.

BK

[fa63]

That would be an excellent salary for a bike mechanic in Atlanta, but I imagine it is hard to live off of that in Seattle. Sounds like it would still be a neat job though!

[Blown Reek]

A qualified bike shop mechanic with a college degree is doing something wrong.

[m_sasso]

The cost of living in Seattle has to be on the upper end of the US scale, Seattle was the latest big city awarded a NHL franchise, young peoples demand for ice facilities and skating time are going to explode, want minimal education/work skills employment in Seattle learn to make ice and drive a Zamboni. You will be compensated triple what Compass is willing to pay.

[Kirk007]

Bruce,

Minimum salary for a single person to be considered above the poverty line in Seattle is over $50,000. I run a nonprofit that focuses on conservation issues across North America and made the decision this year to relocate all non Pacific NW program staff (6-7 positions) to Salt Lake City where the cost of living is 39% less and access to outdoors, at least mountains, better. SLC isn't perfect but Seattle is out of control from a cost of living perspective. That mechanic will either need a second job, a working partner or be independently wealthy or live an hour plus away from the City to make that salary work.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by Kirk007

That mechanic will either need a second job, a working partner or be independently wealthy or live an hour plus away from the City to make that salary work.

you are forgetting, by far - the most probable situation for that mechanic to be in - living with mom and pop.

it's a tough situation out there, especially in the big cities. on one hand, i am surprised and happy to see that compass is in a financial position to hire what appears to be an "extra" at a reasonable salary, offer benefits and paid time off, for such a small company, that is rather impressive and means they must be doing well.

on the other hand, once you really think about it, as mentioned above, living in Seattle, or needing to commute in and out of the city every day, and making under $40k/year is going to be tough.

everyone needs to start somewhere, and this could be the right move for a younger person who doesnt mind 5 room mates, lives with their parents or is in a relationship with someone who they share finances, who is also gainfully employed. a household income of 80k or so should be workable in the city, not living large, but workable, i would think - especially without a car or other expenses like student loans.

good for compass. they are trying.

[R3awak3n]

Interestingly my first job in Seattle I was making 45k, this was in 2007. I was just fine and lived on that salary for 2 solid years. My then gf was working and were had a pretty good life.

However, Seattle has changed, a lot. Prices for housing and food are out of control there so I bet 45k in Seattle is not so good anymore now a days. However, if you are young, have a roomate or 2, it is not that bad of a job. Also the hours are pretty good and seems like a cool job and some people will be ok with it