Job Description

The Company:

At Digs with Dignity, we aspire to break the cycle of homelessness by furnishing homes with creative, custom designs using sustainable, upcycled solutions. As a 501(c)(3), we partner with Chicago-based social service agencies to identify families in need and utilize a warehouse of donated and refurbished furniture and home goods to outfit homes. Founded in 2019, we have helped furnish homes for over 250 families (and counting) in Chicago, keeping over 275,000 lbs of furniture and waste out of landfills in the process.

Job Summary:

The Part-Time Designer will bring creativity, sustainability, and client-centered design to every home DIGS furnishes. Working closely with the design and internal operations team, this role measures and creates floorplans for each client home, selects furniture and decor for one weekly DIGS Day, and leads on-site installation. The Designer ensures each home reflects a thoughtful, functional, and beautiful space that meets client needs.

This is an ideal opportunity for a creative professional looking to apply design skills in a hands-on, mission-driven environment while collaborating closely with a dynamic team.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Design & Space Planning

• Develop creative, functional, and thoughtful layouts for client homes.
• Select and style furniture, decor, and accessories to meet the needs of each family in collaboration with warehouse staff, movers and volunteers. 
• Ensure all designs are sustainable, upcycled, and aligned with DIGS’ standards.

On-Site Support & Installation

• Lead weekly DIGS Day, to set up home according to planned layouts.
• Problem solve on-site to adjust designs as needed for real-world conditions.
• Work collaboratively with warehouse staff, movers, and volunteers to ensure smooth installation.

Collaboration & Process Support

• Communicate with the internal operations team to coordinate design timelines, inventory, and installation logistics.
• Assist in documenting design ideas, standards, and processes for future reference.
• Support other design initiatives as needed, including staging, organization events, photography, and donor-facing materials.

Qualifications & Requirements:Core Competencies

• Creative and resourceful, with a strong eye for design and attention to detail.
• Experience with interior decoration, space planning, and project management.
• Experience measuring job sites and creating furniture floor plans. 
• Collaborative and flexible; able to work in dynamic, hands-on environments.
• Mission-aligned; prioritizes dignity, care, and client experience in every action.
• Comfortable problem-solving in real-time, adapting to space or inventory constraints.

Nice-to-Haves / Trainable

• Familiarity with upcycling, sustainable design, or furniture restoration.

Experience & Education

• 5+ Years of professional design experience 
• Experience with space planning software
• Demonstrated creativity, organization, and ability to translate ideas into functional spaces.

Working Conditions

• Part-time, on-site schedule at warehouse and client homes; hours may vary based on move schedules. Warehouse weekdays operate from 9am-3pm and DIGS Days on Thursdays or Fridays from 9am-3pm
• Physically active role; able to lift, move, and arrange furniture and décor items.
• Occasional evenings or weekends required to support DIGS Days or special projects.

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive hourly pay based on experience.
• Opportunities for professional development and creative growth.
• Work in a collaborative, mission-driven environment with a passionate and committed team.

To Apply

Email your resume to joinourteam@digswithdignity.org.

At Digs with Dignity, we believe that diversity strengthens our team and enriches our work. We are an equal-opportunity employer and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment for everyone. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, prioritizing those with experience serving the populations we work with. Everyone deserves respect and equal opportunity regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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