Flexible Watermelon Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Founded in Santa Clara County in 1928, Goodwill of Silicon is dedicated to improving employment opportunities, increasing standards of living, providing economic independence, and restoring our clients’ sense of self-worth. We achieve this through workforce creation, vocational training, and environmental stewardship. With 18 retail stores, an online store, an extensive reuse/recycling operation, and our Contract Services division, we help individuals overcome barriers to employment, build sustainable lives and communities. 

Major Responsibilities: 

• Receives, moves and places carts, containers and barrels containing donations, trash, and as-Is for processing in designated areas. Weighs and tracks where applicable. 

• Unloads trailers and transports products to appropriate departments. 

• Loads trailers and trucks with products for shipping.   

• Place appropriate storage labels on the container.   

• Tracks production output as well as product levels throughout the day. 

• Replenishes unsorted donations at the sorter workstations. 

• Tests electrical products and/or stack and wrap E-waste pallets. 

• Stocks designated departments for processing or sales and removes residual product for transport to compactor or other departments. 

• Setup and breakdown of As-Is sales floor to include movement of product and trash boxes, handling of furniture, receiving donations from the public. 

• While working on the recycle line, extracts recyclable material from the conveyor belt, removes full boxes, and/or operates a “tipper” to feed the line with material. 

• Tracks productivity according to the workstation using proper forms. 

• Handles mattresses, household hazardous waste, metal, furniture, tires, etc, when necessary. 

• Fill cap sacks with clothing, use a bag closer (sewing machine) to close the bag, and prep for shipping. 

• Maintains work areas in a neat and orderly manner with clean-up activities performed throughout the day. 

• Works with clients who are assigned for vocational services as requested. 

• Follows and enforces all company procedures. 

• Performs other duties as requested. 

Requirements 

• Knowledge of general arithmetic (adding/subtracting) required.   

• Experience in material handling 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Basic ability to read and write in English 

Equipment Used 

• Pallet jacks, Electric walkie stacker, watermelon boxes, barrels, plastic totes, hand truck, furniture dolly and forklift (if certified to operate), electric and manual hand tools. 

Aptitudes/skills/temperament 

• Ability to drive company vehicles.  

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends and/or holidays as required. 

• Ability to follow company dress code, which requires wearing a uniform at all times, including weekends and holidays. 

• Ability to coordinate hand-eye-foot movement to safely maneuver in and out of trucks and trailers, operate vehicle controls, walk up and down ramps and lift and/or stack donations. 

• Ability to understand and accept directions, follow procedures. 

• Ability to perform routine work, but also to adapt to changes as they occur without loss of efficiency. 

• Ability to maintain self-control, deal effectively with the public and work in cooperation with others. 

• Ability to read maps and plan route schedules based on address/locations of scheduled tickets. 

• Ability to understand and speak English, accept directions and follow procedures. 

• Ability to receive a series of tasks and carry them out as instructed.   

• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule and work extended shifts based on operational needs. 

• Ability to perform routine work, adapting to change as it relates to workflow. 

• Ability to maintain self-control and work in coordination and with cooperation with co-workers. 

• Ability to examine items and visually differentiate between them based on quality standards. 

• Willingness to learn and take direction from supervisors, leads, and other coworkers. 

• Ability to meet and maintain established standards 

• Being able to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions 

• Being respectful of and conform with set limits, tolerances and standards 

• The ability to work independently and in groups, while maximizing time and resources 

Working conditions 

• The noise volume is moderately high throughout the day depending on the amount of activity, equipment in operation, radio operation and television testing.  

• Material handling equipment (forklift, hand truck, moveable containers) may be operated in or near work areas. 

• Work is performed outside at loading docks, donation sites, stores and donor’s homes. Work is performed inside buildings and inside cabs while driving for brief periods of time. The temperature and exposure to elements will fluctuate depending on weather conditions. 

• There is exposure to dust and dirt, vehicle fumes and other airborne particles. Occasionally drivers must handle household toxic products which are received in donations. There is regular exposure to gasoline, diesel fuel and engine oil. 

• Work is completed independently but in cooperation with others. There is occasional contact with donation station personnel and the public.  

• The noise volume will vary throughout the day with exposure to both truck engine noise and other traffic noise and general noise at the stores, donation stations and plant. 

• Material handling equipment (forklift, hand truck, moveable containers/racks) and trucks may be operated in or near work areas. 

Emotional Effort 

• The job is routine with occasional periods of high activity/demand and some short deadlines which may require some overtime to complete the assignment. 

Physical Requirements 

• The work pace is steady requiring lifting and/or carrying of up to 50 lbs consistently. On a regular basis heavier items of up to 75 lbs will be lifted. Heavy items will be moved either with assistance from another person or by using appropriate material handling equipment.  

• Normal or corrected talking, hearing, and seeing abilities are sufficient to perform the required tasks. 

• Mobility required walking up and down ramps and climbing in and out of trucks and walking on uneven ground 

Responsibilities may be added, deleted or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally either orally or in writing.