Christmas Assistant / Kettle Driver

The Salvation Army Southern California; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army is seeking a Christmas Assistant / Kettle Driver in the Northwest region for a temporary season. This role involves driving kettle routes, organizing volunteers, and assisting with toy and gift distribution at multiple local sites.

You will work up to 40 hours per week, Monday through Saturday, November through January, with responsibilities including inventory, coordinating kettles, and ensuring proper safety and compliance.

Qualifications

• Must possess a valid Washington State driver's license.
• Must pass The Salvation Army's driving test and Motor Vehicles Records check.
• Must be willing to continually lift 30–50 pounds.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

Responsibilities

• Pick up and drop off kettles six days per week on assigned routes.
• Secure kettles at the end of each day.
• Provide daily supplies to kettle workers and supervise breaks.
• Report kettle hours and assist with inventory as needed.
• Assist in Christmas distribution setup and volunteer organization.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors.

Skills

Driver's license

Background check cleared

Physical ability 30–50 lbs

Criminal background check

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Christmas Assistant / Kettle Driver

REPORTS TO: 1) Family Services Director 2) Corps Officer

STATUS: Temporary/Seasonal, Non-Exempt

WORK HOURS: Monday through Saturday – some split shifts up to 40 hours a week. Start date: November 2, 2026 - End date: January 15, 2027

The Salvation Army is an inspiring place to work. With offices in every major US city and over 120 countries around the globe, it’s a place where people can invest in people on every level. In the Northwest region of the US, we serve people with food to shelter opportunities and almost everything in between. We are committed to being an efficient and effective network of local offices that make up a huge western regional team. In other words, we’re committed to being big and small at the same time. That makes us a seriously great place to work. As one of the most impactful social service organizations in the world, we hire people who constantly seek new ways to keep us moving forward. We welcome you on finding your place to offer opportunities for people in need!

General Statement

The Salvation Army is a branch of the Christian Church, and the ultimate goal of all programs is spiritual regeneration of all people.

The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer.

Scope Of Position

Drive kettle stands and collection buckets to their locations daily per the routes scheduled. Perform other Christmas related duties that require driving such as food pick up, toy collections pick ups and other duties as assigned by the Commanding Officer.

Accountability

Your primary immediate supervisor is the Family Services director. You will be directed by the Corps Officers as it related to kettles and the Family Services Director as it relates to aspects of our toy assistance program.

Qualifications

• Must posses a valid Washington State driver’s license.
• Must pass The Salvation Army ‘s in hour driving test and Motor vehicles Records check.
• Must be willing to continually lift 30 pounds and occasionally 50 pounds.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

Summary Of Kettle Driver Duties

• Pick up and drop off kettles six (6) days per week per an assigned kettle route
• Secure the kettles at the end of the day when dropped off
• Ensure kettle workers have daily supplies as needed
• Instruct kettle workers as to their daily duties, ensuring breaks and lunches are observed
• Ensure kettle workers hours are reported accurately to CO
• Report each morning to participate in kettle counting
• Report IMMEDIATELY to CO and concerns regarding workers, equipment or location logistics
• Bring items to kettle locations when neededInventory and sort, as directed, all kettle supplies
• Prepare a kettle inventory for CO, indicating needed additions or repairs for next season

Summary Of Christmas Assistant Duties

• Organize and assist in setting up Christmas distribution area
• Organize volunteers to sort gifts in the assigned areas
• Organize gifts and items as they are returned by donors
• Organize excess and unmarked gifts/clothes to assure each child has gifts
• Ensure family gift bags are complete and sealed
• Deliver tags to companies participating in Angel Tree program as needed
• Pick up toys from Angel Trees as needed
• Keep distribution area neat and tidy, disposing of trash and unnecessary items each day
• Inventory and sort, as directed, all remaining toys following distribution, assuring they are properly stored.
• Assist in putting away all equipment and furnishings used for distribution
• Any other duty as assigned

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, kneel and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis.
• Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, boxes of food or other objects and reach overhead.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds.
• Ability to operate a telephone.
• Ability to understand, use and respond to written information.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to operate a pallet jack.
• Ability to perform all tasks as assigned

Working Conditions

Some work may be performed in outside inclement weather, and there may be some physical discomforts associated with changes in weather or discomfort with noise, rain, snow, dust, dirt, and similar.

Work Schedule / Location

Monday through Saturday / In-person at various jobsites throughout local area.

The Salvation Army reserves the right to reassign, review the job or to require that different or additional tasks be performed based on the organization’s need or when circumstances change.

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests as long as the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

The Salvation Army Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love…

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. Such equal opportunity for employment will apply to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, salaries and other compensation, transfers and layoffs or termination.