Dock Helper (3798)

Goodwill Industries of South Florida; Fort Lauderdale (FL); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwill Industries of South Florida is seeking a Dock Helper to support daily dock operations at the Outlet. You will receive, load, and unload donations, move goods, and maintain a clean, safe dock area.

Responsibilities include sorting and transporting merchandise, using pallet jacks and other equipment, and following OSHA safety procedures. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and work in variable weather conditions.

Qualifications

• Education and experience may be minimal; on‑the‑job training available.
• Ability to read and comprehend safety instructions, labels, schedules, and basic operating procedures.
• Basic math and counting skills for donations, pallets, and inventory.

Responsibilities

• Load and unload trucks and containers safely and efficiently.
• Receive, move, stage, and organize donations and materials in dock/storage areas.
• Assist with sorting, baling, transporting merchandise as directed by management.
• Keep dock, backroom, and work areas clean, safe, and organized.
• Operate pallet jacks, carts, and other movement equipment per safety rules.
• Forklift use allowed only with valid permit and supervisor authorization.
• Follow instructions from the DC Manager regarding dock workflow and schedules.
• Report damaged equipment, spills, injuries, or hazards immediately.

Skills

Safety awareness

Dependability

Teamwork

Quality of work

Customer service

Attention to detail

Follow directions

Education

Less than high school education

Tools

Pallet jack

Carts

Hampers

Gaylords

Baling machine

Trash containers

Forklift (with permit)

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.

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. 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.

Competencies

To 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