Donations Associate - Level 3

COMMUNITY AID INC•Mechanicsburg, PA

2d•$18 - $18•Onsite

About The Position

The Donations Associate – Level 3 is a subject matter expert in inventory management and warehouse operations. The role ensures donated goods are accurately tracked, organized, and moved through the facility, while maintaining clean, safe, and orderly donation and warehouse areas. The associate provides customer service at the donation door, sorts donations according to quality and acceptance standards, and supports other associates by reinforcing best practices, safety standards, and efficient workflows in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. The role requires learning manual equipment and obtaining certification to operate all required heavy machinery. Responsibilities span warehouse inventory movement and tracking, donor interactions, sorting and documenting donations, supporting production work, and promoting safety. The associate is cross-trained in at least one production area and communicates donation volume and issues to the Donations Supervisor. The position is full-time and located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The listed starting wage is $18.00 per hour, increasing to $18.50 per hour after 90 days of employment; the posting also mentions a company incentive program for all employees.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Must be at least 18 years old for heavy machinery certification.
Flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend availability.
Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.
Consistent attendance and meeting weekly-hours expectations for full-time, non-exempt status.
Ability to achieve and maintain forklift certification; forklift experience preferred.
Strong communication skills, with emphasis on clarity and listening.
Critical-thinking and problem-solving ability.
Ability to follow standardized work processes and quality guidelines.
Strong attention to detail when reviewing, sorting, and pricing products.
Ability to lift, move, and process merchandise of varying weights.
Reliability, consistency, and ability to work independently or with minimal supervision.
Ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Ability to push and pull up to 75 pounds.
Ability to stand for extended periods.
Ability to work for extended periods while wearing a mask or respirator and other PPE.
Ability to learn and use manual pallet jacks, dollies, and hand trucks and to become certified on required heavy machinery.

Nice To Haves

Forklift experience.
High school diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Use and become certified to operate all required heavy machinery.
Assist with moving inventory and backstock, and loading or unloading shipments and heavy-load drop-offs.
Assist Supervisors and Assistant Managers with warehouse inventory maintenance, tracking, and rotation based on season, needs, or in-store promotions.
Prepare inventory for special sales or events.
Keep backstock and warehouse areas clean, neat, and organized, and prevent bottlenecks or congestion in warehouse, donation, and production areas.
Organize incoming backstock, bins, or gaylords for safety; consistently track and document them as they move through the system.
Ensure gaylords are properly labeled and tracked when moved or loaded into trailers or backstock.
Assist Supervisors, Assistant Managers, and the Logistics Department with tracking and moving goods between stores.
Greet donors in a friendly, professional manner and provide a positive donation experience, including during busy periods.
Follow donation guidelines; assess donated goods for poor quality, damage, or restrictions, and explain why items cannot be accepted when turning them away.
Answer donation questions accurately, explain donation impacts, maintain donation flow, and use an electronic tablet for partner donation tracking and donor loyalty.
Sort incoming donations quickly and accurately by department, and identify trash or unsellable items before they reach production or backstock.
Use an electronic tablet to track products moving from the donation door to production, sorting stations, or backstock.
Maintain a clean donation area by clearing trash and organizing or breaking down cardboard.
Assist with production tasks such as disinfecting and pricing furniture and supporting clothing production, dumping, and baling.
Cross-train in at least one production area involving sorting, cleaning, and pricing; learn other production areas as needed for sorting and trash removal.
Work with Production and Retail to handle unsellable or Ragout items.
Use required safety equipment, including puncture-resistant gloves and safety blades, and learn to use pallet jacks, hand trucks, and dollies.
Learn, use, and maintain certification for electric pallet jacks, walking stackers, compactors, balers, and forklifts.
Champion machine safety requirements at the donation door and in the warehouse; identify issues, communicate them, and help coach others on safety guidelines.
Learn and follow safety requirements for disinfection, including Sterifab and PPE requirements.
Maintain working knowledge of CommunityAid sales and marketing efforts, including current store needs.
Communicate donation volume and issues to the Donations Supervisor and participate in daily huddles and shift handoffs.
Perform additional responsibilities as needed to support departmental and store goals.