Reliability
Attendance, timekeeping, preparation, communication, and follow-through.
Concept visualizationThe progression
People advance through evidence—not inspirational guesswork.
ObserveLearn the mission, zones, safety rules, customer-property controls, and career options without performing productive sales work.
PracticeBuild technique, documentation, safety, quality, and customer-service skill under supervision. Required or productive training is paid.
ProveDemonstrate competency through checklists, quality samples, safe conduct, accurate work orders, and reliable timekeeping.
EarnComplete approved paid production and service work through lawful payroll and timekeeping.
LeadAdvance toward bench captain, customer service, inventory, trainer, peer governance, or external employment roles as evidence supports readiness.
What evidence travels with the worker?
Safety
PPE, materials, equipment, contamination, emergency, and stop-work competency.
Craft
Authorized task list, material methods, quality samples, rework history, and honest limitations.
Leadership
Coaching, customer service, inventory accuracy, shift responsibility, partnership work, and references.
Peer and workforce roles across the full shoe lifecycle
Roles may be combined during a controlled pilot, but decision rights must stay clear. A worker should know what they may do, what evidence proves readiness, who supervises the task, and when to stop or escalate.
Front doorEarn
Donation & Intake Coordinator
Receives approved footwear, explains the current status, verifies source or customer authorization, and starts the chain of custody.
Evidence of readinessComplete intake, ownership-transfer, privacy, and handoff records.
SafetyPractice → Prove
Condition Screening Associate
Screens for prohibited contamination, unsafe structure, recalls, counterfeit indicators, and work outside approved scope.
Evidence of readinessAccurate accept, quarantine, refer, or decline decisions.
OperationsProve → Earn
Inventory & Custody Associate
Photographs, tags, locates, moves, counts, and reconciles customer property and donated inventory.
Evidence of readinessZero unexplained custody gaps and accurate cycle counts.
CraftPractice → Prove
Material Assessment Assistant
Identifies common materials, performs hidden-area testing, records limitations, and prepares the approved task plan.
Evidence of readinessCorrect material identification and method selection.
ProductionPractice → Earn
Footwear Care Associate
Completes basic and deep-clean tasks with approved tools, PPE, product controls, timekeeping, and work-order documentation.
Evidence of readinessSafe technique, reliable attendance, and quality-pass samples.
Advanced craftProve → Earn
Restoration & Finishing Associate
Completes competency-gated conditioning, edge work, cosmetic touch-up, and minor restoration within written limits.
Evidence of readinessHigher-level samples, low rework, and authorized task list.
ProductionPractice → Earn
Drying & Reassembly Associate
Controls airflow, reshaping, laces, removable insoles, drying-status tags, and final reassembly.
Evidence of readinessNo hidden moisture, heat damage, mismatch, or missing components.
QualityLead
Quality Reviewer
Independently checks scope, dryness, cleanliness, finish, defects, records, and release readiness.
Evidence of readinessConsistent release decisions and documented corrections.
RetailEarn
Product Photography & Listing Associate
Produces consistent product images and truthful size, condition, defect, source, and price-status listings.
Evidence of readinessAccurate listings with no hidden defects or unsupported claims.
CustomerEarn → Lead
Customer Service & Handoff Associate
Explains scope and limitations, reconciles identifiers, completes return or sale, and routes complaints without defensiveness.
Evidence of readinessAccurate handoffs, receipts, feedback, and timely resolutions.
PartnershipsLead
B2B Batch Coordinator
Plans controlled batch size, manifests, cadence, pickup and delivery, capacity, quality reporting, and renewal review.
Evidence of readinessOn-time reconciled batches within written capacity.
CharitableLead
Fresh Pair Coordinator
Administers eligibility, restricted funds, conflicts, fit, privacy, release, and inventory removal after the lane is activated.
Evidence of readinessPrivate, fair, restriction-compliant awards with full reconciliation.
WorkforceLead
Bench Captain / Peer Mentor
Runs shift huddles, demonstrates technique, monitors workload, coaches behavior, authorizes corrections, and escalates risk.
Evidence of readinessSafe shifts, reliable production, improved worker competency, and respectful coaching.
WorkforceLead
Training & Competency Coach
Delivers orientation, supervised drills, observation, competency checks, refreshers, and task authorization.
Evidence of readinessCurrent training files and demonstrated competency—not attendance alone.
CommunityEarn → Lead
Community Outreach Coordinator
Builds donation drives, school and employer relationships, events, and public education while protecting dignity and privacy.
Evidence of readinessApproved partnerships, accurate public language, and documented event results.
GovernanceLead
Peer Council / Governance Liaison
Carries lived-experience priorities into budgets, policies, evaluation, complaints, workforce design, and succession decisions.
Evidence of readinessMinutes, reserved decisions, follow-through, and measurable influence—not a ceremonial title.
What STEP refuses
No unpaid productive labor. No “work therapy.” No false ownership or income promise. No employment conditioned on treatment, recovery disclosure, club participation, benefits, housing, or storytelling.
