Dock Helper

Goodwill South Florida; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwill Outlet in Fort Lauderdale seeks a Dock Helper to support daily dock operations, including loading and unloading trucks, receiving donations, and moving materials. The role emphasizes safety, organization, and adherence to OSHA procedures.

Responsibilities include sorting and transporting merchandise, maintaining clean dock areas, and assisting with salvage and trash handling. Prior warehouse experience is helpful but not required.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Less than high school education; or up to one month of related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience preferred in warehouse/dock operations but not required.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, safety rules, labels, schedules, and basic procedures.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload trucks, trailers, containers, and company vehicles safely and efficiently.
• Receive, move, stage, and organize donations, salvage, trash, and other materials in dock/storage areas.
• Assist with sorting, separating, baling, and transporting merchandise as directed by management.
• Maintain dock area, backroom, and surrounding work areas clean, safe, organized, and hazard-free.
• Operate pallet jacks, carts, baling machines, and other approved equipment per safety procedures.
• Report damaged equipment, unsafe conditions, spills, injuries, or hazards to management immediately.

Skills

Safety procedures

Teamwork

Physical stamina

Attention to detail

Reading & instructions

Education

Less than high school education

Tools

Pallet jack

Carts

Bail machine

Forklift (permits)

Balers

Job description

Summary:The Dock Helper is responsible for supporting daily dock operations at the Goodwill Outlet, including receiving, loading, and unloading trucks, moving donated goods, maintaining dock cleanliness and organization, assisting with salvage and trash handling, and following all safety procedures to support efficient store and warehouse operations.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Load and unload trucks, trailers, containers, and company vehicles safely and efficiently.Receive, move, stage, and organize donations, salvage, trash, and other materials in designated dock and storage areas.Assist with sorting, separating, baling, and transporting merchandise and materials as directed by management.Maintain the dock area, backroom, and surrounding work areas clean, safe, organized, and free of hazards.Operate pallet jacks, bail machines, carts, containers, and other approved merchandise movement equipment according to company safety procedures.Helpers with a valid forklift permit may operate a forklift only when authorized and must follow all OSHA and company safety procedures.Follow instructions from the Distribution Center Manager or designated supervisor regarding dock workflow, truck schedules, donation flow, and material movement.Report damaged equipment, unsafe conditions, spills, injuries, or hazards to management immediately.Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Distribution Center Manager or management team.Education and Experience:Less than high school education; or up to one month of related experience or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous warehouse, dock, material handling, or donation processing experience preferred but not required.Language Skills:Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, safety rules, labels, schedules, and basic operational procedures.Reasoning Ability:Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out written or oral instructions and complete tasks safely and efficiently.Equipment, Machines and Tools Used:Pallet jack, carts, hampers, gaylords, merchandise movement and storage containers, baling machine, trash containers, and forklift when properly permitted and authorized.CompetenciesTo perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies: safety awareness, dependability, teamwork, quality of work, customer service, attention to detail, and ability to follow directions.Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; reports potentially unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly; follows lifting, loading, unloading, and dock safety procedures at all times.Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction, completes assigned tasks on time, and notifies the appropriate supervisor when assistance is needed.Physical Demands – The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, bend, reach, push, pull, lift, carry, and use hands and arms to handle merchandise and equipment. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and may occasionally assist with heavier items using proper equipment or team lifting. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.Work Environment - The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.Outdoor weather conditions range from 40 to 100 degrees. Must be able to work in wet, humid, or hot conditions depending on weather