Donations Associate - Level 3

Community Aid•Mechanicsburg, PA

About The Position

The Donations Associate – Level 3 is a subject matter expert in inventory management and warehouse operations. The role ensures accurate tracking, organization, and movement of donated goods, and maintains clean, safe, and organized donation and warehouse areas. Associates provide customer service at the donation door, sort and organize donations by quality and standards, and identify items that are unsellable or must be discarded. They support other associates by reinforcing best practices, safety standards, and efficient workflows in a fast-paced, high-volume environment. The role requires learning and using manual machinery, including pallet jacks, dollies, and hand trucks, and obtaining certification for heavy machinery, including balers, compactors, electric pallet jacks, walking stackers, and forklifts. Associates also cross-train in at least one production area and assist with production tasks as needed. The posted starting wage is $18.00 per hour, increasing to $18.50 per hour after 90 days of employment. The company also advertises an incentive program for all employees.

Requirements

At least 18 years of age, required for heavy-machinery certification.
Proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.
Ability to obtain and maintain forklift certification and certifications for required electronic machines, including electric pallet jack, walking stacker, compactor, and baler.
Ability to learn and use manual pallet jacks, hand trucks, and dollies.
Scheduling flexibility, including evening and weekend availability.
Consistent attendance and meeting weekly-hours expectations for full-time non-exempt status.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and push and pull up to 75 pounds.
Ability to stand for extended periods and to work extended periods wearing a mask or respirator and other PPE.
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.
Reliability, consistency, and ability to work independently or with minimal supervision.
Ability to multitask and work in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to embrace, exemplify, and endorse CommunityAid’s 12 Core Behaviors and support its mission.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Forklift experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Operate and obtain certification for all required heavy machinery; use manual pallet jacks, dollies, and hand trucks.
Move inventory and backstock, and help load or unload shipments and heavy-load drop-offs.
Assist supervisors and assistant managers with warehouse inventory tracking and rotation based on season, needs, or in-store promotions.
Prepare inventory for special sales or events and keep warehouse and backstock areas clean, neat, organized, and safe.
Prevent bottlenecks in warehouse, donation, and production areas; organize incoming backstock, bins, and gaylords for safety.
Track and document gaylords, backstock, and bins moving through the system; ensure gaylords are properly labeled and tracked when moved or loaded into trailers or backstock.
Coordinate with supervisors, assistant managers, and the Logistics Department on tracking and moving goods between stores.
Greet donors professionally, provide a positive donation experience, follow donation guidelines, and answer questions about donations and their impact.
Assess donated goods for quality, damage, or restrictions; turn away items that cannot be accepted and explain why.
Use an electronic tablet to track partner donations and products moving from the donation door to production, sorting stations, or backstock, and support donor loyalty.
Sort incoming donations by department and identify trash or unsellable items before they reach production or backstock.
Maintain a clean donation area by clearing trash and organizing or breaking down cardboard.
Assist with production tasks, including disinfecting and pricing furniture and supporting clothing production, dumping, and baling; learn other production areas for sorting and trash removal.
Cross-train in at least one production area for sorting, cleaning, and pricing; work with Production and Retail to handle unsellable or Ragout items.
Use required safety equipment, including puncture-resistant gloves and safety blades, and follow safety requirements for machinery and disinfection, including Sterifab and PPE requirements.
Identify safety issues, communicate them, and help coach others on safety guidelines.
Maintain working knowledge of CommunityAid sales and marketing efforts and current store needs.
Communicate donation volume and issues to the Donations Supervisor; participate in daily huddles and shift handoffs.
Perform additional responsibilities as needed to support departmental and store goals.