Sustainability Associate - FT

POSITION TITLE: Sustainability Associate
STATUS: Non-Exempt
DEPARTMENT: 5282 – DGR Operations Management
REPORTS TO: Director of Sustainability
SAFETY SENSITIVE: HIGH - This position is designated as safety sensitive and is subject to pre-employment physical, drug, and alcohol screening.

The starting wage for this position is $20.00 per hour.

Characteristics of the Job: As a member of the sustainability team, the Sustainability Associate will be an integral part of all sustainability programs and initiatives. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills are required to assist the Director of Sustainability in the implementation of procedures and activities to minimize our environmental impacts across the organization. The Sustainability Associate will support all efforts to comply with local Zero-Waste efforts, and state and federal regulations regarding the recycling of and proper disposal of unsold or unsellable donations including e-waste and household hazardous waste.

PROVIDES SUPERVISION TO: None

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

NOTE: Assignments may vary by day.

Materials Handling and Disposal:

• Identify and sort e-waste and household hazardous waste appropriately.
• Assist in building and maintaining reference database regarding unsellable donations and their appropriate waste streams, including e-waste and household hazardous waste.
• Assist store managers and staff regarding classification of sellable items, and the storage and disposal of non-sellable items.
• Identify items for sale in Goodwill’s Outlet, as directed.
• Assist in scheduling and completion of e-waste and household hazardous waste pickups and drop-offs, including by outside vendors, as directed.

Sustainability Programs:

• Assist in organizing and coordinating sustainability events and activities.
• Assist in promoting awareness and engagement in sustainability within the community.

ANCILLARY FUNCTIONS:

• • Adhere to all Goodwill personnel policies and procedures.
  • Maintain cleanliness of workplace.
  • Conduct oneself in a courteous and professional manner.
  • Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required.
  • Attend location and online meetings as scheduled.
  • Follow all safety protocols and report any unsafe conditions.
  • Report all incidents of injury, safety, theft, or harassment immediately.
• Perform all other job-related duties as assigned.
• Assist and support other Goodwill staff as necessary.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma, or equivalent preferred.
• Valid CA Class C Driver’s License, and an MVR allowing insurable status.
• Proof of personal auto insurance.
• Must have access to a reliable passenger vehicle that supports completion of essential and ancillary functions of the position.
• Successful completion of Hazwoper (24 hours) certification within 45 days of hire and maintain active status throughout employment.
• Experience using Microsoft Suite at a basic level: Word, Excel, and Outlook, and ability to learn new software/apps in support of work.
• Proven ability to speak, read, and write in English.
• Ability to perform basic math skills including addition and subtraction.
• Physical stamina to stand, bend and stretch to perform tasks for full work shift.

• Demonstrated ability to provide outstanding internal and external customer service.

DESIRED TRAITS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Respect for others.
• Ability to perform effectively and cooperatively as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Good communication skills, both in writing and orally, to relay information within the business; to respond appropriately to legal and/or sensitive issues.
• Ability to take direction and work independently or with minimal supervision.
• Desire to care for and protect the environment from harm.

• Ability to meet work habit expectations, including, but not limited to regular attendance, punctuality, teamwork, focus, efficiency, willingness to learn, dependability, promptness, and integrity.
• Willingness to learn and ability to understand and classify waste characteristics and types.
• The ability to maintain productivity and work with a sense of accomplishment and a sense of urgency.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in a variety of settings including climate-controlled offices, stores, warehouses, and the outdoors. Exposure to all weather conditions/elements. May be working outside with uneven walking surfaces and cement floors and/or inside on carpet, linoleum, tile or cement floors. Will experience moderate to extreme variations in temperature and weather, exposure to vehicle fumes, moderate to low noise level, and moderate to high levels of dust. May experience overhead lighting as well as both direct and indirect sunlight. Frequent interactions with the general public, including employees, donors, customers, clients, and business partners. Frequent travel in personal or company vehicles.

This position will require regular travel inside the main GIRE service area of Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Lake counties.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Able to withstand frequent standing and walking on concrete and/or uneven surfaces. Ability to perform continuous lifting, bending, stooping, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling and stretching. Frequent pushing and pulling on varying surfaces. Mobility throughout the location is required. Continuous speech and visual skills required. Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds repetitively, up to 50 pounds occasionally and maneuver heavier weights using proper lifting techniques and assistive equipment.

PROMOTIONAL & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
Position may be promotable to higher level positions with the department or organization with demonstrated mastery of this position, while also taking on new responsibilities. Training and/or certifications may be required; and any promotion is based on business needs.