Organization
The Rescue Mission Alliance (RMA) is a Christian non-profit organization serving the less fortunate in Southern California through emergency and long-term rehabilitation services since 1972. RMA partners with local churches to meet the spiritual needs of the people we serve. The Central Coast Super Thrift Store provides revenue to support the Rescue Mission Alliance drug and alcohol recovery programs.
Summary
The Warehouse Associate I assists retail and production associates to complete all necessary tasks, including receiving, sorting, preparing, staging, and shipping merchandise. This is a full-time, non-exempt regular position located in Santa Maria, California, reporting directly to the Thrift Store Supervisor. This position is eligible for overtime and benefits according to applicable guidelines.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
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Maintain cleanliness and sanitary conditions of site.
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Clean and organize production area.
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Close production and staging areas.
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Maintain organization and cleanliness of store, offices, bathrooms, parking lots, etc.
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Front area support (hangers, bagging, customer service for carry out).
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Unload trucks when necessary.
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Perform ‘floater’ and ‘unloader’ duties (trash removal, barrel removal, assists sorters).
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Unload and sort donation carts.
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Separate salable items from recycle, baler, and trash.
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Assist preparer when necessary.
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Track carts and time on board and with pricer for production report.
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Minimum requirement of 30 minutes per hard goods carts & 15 minutes per clothing carts.
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Put out remaining merchandise onto sales floor.
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Maintain organization and cleanliness of production and warehouse including parking lot and front entrance of store.
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Ensure task checklist is completed daily.
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Maintain MSDS inventory.
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Ensure all chemicals and supplies are in stock.
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Ensure all recyclables are labeled and in compliance with EPA.
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Check to make sure all electrical appliances are turned off at end of shift.
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Load and unload dump truck.
Route Driver Responsibilities
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Pick up donations using a box truck or cargo van throughout the Central Coast region.
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Load and unload donations safely using proper lifting techniques.
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Navigate a variety of environments including residential areas, businesses, stairs, and uneven surfaces.
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Perform daily vehicle inspections (gas, oil, tires, fluids) to ensure safe operation.
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Maintain vehicle logs and report mechanical issues promptly.
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Communicate regularly with store leadership regarding routes and schedules.
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Follow mapped routes and adjust as needed to meet daily pick-up goals.
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Operate vehicles in compliance with all Federal, State, and local driving laws.
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Maintain a clean driving record and safe driving practices at all times.
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Report all accidents, injuries, or incidents immediately.
Customer Support
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Provide exceptional customer service by creating a welcoming, respectful, and helpful environment for all customers, donors, and guests.
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Greet and assist customers on the sales floor and at donation drop-off areas in a friendly and professional manner, ensuring a positive shopping and donation experience.
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Respond to customer inquiries and concerns promptly, maintaining a service-oriented attitude that reflects the organization’s mission and values.
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Represent the organization with professionalism and compassion in all customer interactions.
Store Cleanliness & Maintenance
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Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment at all times, including the sales floor, donation areas, production spaces, and backroom areas.
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Perform general housekeeping duties such as sweeping, mopping, dusting, organizing merchandise, and removing trash as needed.
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Ensure assigned work areas are consistently clean, stocked, and presentable throughout the shift.
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Follow all safety and cleanliness standards to promote a positive shopping experience and a safe workplace.
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Take initiative to support overall store cleanliness; maintaining a clean store is a shared responsibility of all team members.
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Maintain all store areas, including restrooms and common areas, in a safe and orderly condition.
Production & Operations Support
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Support production operations, including clothing and hard goods processing tables.
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Assist with opening and closing duties for production and staging areas as needed.
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Maintain organization and workflow efficiency in production and backroom areas.
Other Duties & Responsibilities
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Adhere to all RMA safety programs, including the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP).
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Follow all organizational policies and procedures.
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Perform other duties as assigned by the Thrift Store Supervisor.
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Know and adhere to store policies and procedures.
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Answer telephone and use paging system.
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Be familiar with basic donation procedures and RMA directory extensions.
Supervisory Responsibilities
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This position has no formal supervisory duties but may provide guidance to new team members on production processes and safety practices.
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Assist with workflow coordination to meet production goals and maintain store organization.
Qualifications
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High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required.
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Experience in retail, thrift store production, or warehouse operations preferred but not required.
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Ability to work in a fast-paced, physically demanding environment.
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Must be able to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 60 lbs.
Skills
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Demonstrated work ethic with consistent attendance and punctuality.
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Ability to work as part of a team and multi-task effectively.
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Strong attention to detail in organizing and staging merchandise.
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Customer service oriented with professional communication skills.
Software
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No specific software required.
Physical Demands
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Ability to lift, push, pull, reach, kneel, and stand for extended periods.
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Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry up to 60 lbs.
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Hands-on position, including moving and organizing merchandise and boxes.
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Frequent movement between sales floor and backroom areas.
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May require use of stairs depending on store layout.
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Repetitive use of hands.
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Must be able to work on feet for long periods of time and able to walk or stand most of the work shift.
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Hands-on position, including moving/stacking boxes, lifting merchandise, etc.
Equipment
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Medium-duty warehouse equipment (e.g., forklifts) may be in use.
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Carts, racks, and standard retail/warehouse equipment for supervised customer transaction support.
Work Environment
This position will function in a Thrift Store and warehouse setting where medium duty equipment for retail and warehouse settings are in use. Will also be working in proximity with an at-risk population where errant behavior and disease risk may be present. Adherence to safety protocols is required to prevent injury or illness.
