Donation Attendant Part-Time

Goodwill Industries Of Northern Il; Ottawa (IL); On-site; USD 21,352 - 26,174; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedule

Store discount

Illinois PTO

Cultural observance day

Tuition reimbursement

401(k)

Voluntary Aflac

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

Goodwill of Northern Illinois is seeking a part-time Associate for the Ottawa store to handle donations, assist customers, and keep the sales floor organized. This role requires standing, bending, lifting, and occasional evening/weekend shifts in a retail setting.

Responsibilities include processing donations, greeting donors, and maintaining safety and warehouse operations. The team emphasizes service excellence and accurate donor documentation, with store-wide benefits and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate with the public and customers.
• Ability to count, add, and subtract.
• Ability to follow instructions and work independently.
• Ability to follow all safety rules.
• Must be able to operate a pricing gun and price merchandise appropriately.

Responsibilities

• Provide responsive and respectful donor service and answer questions.
• Educate donors on the “Can’t Use” list and recall items; provide tax information and donor receipts.
• Process hard goods (wares, electrical, furniture, books, shoes, accessories) and textiles per store standards.
• Assist in preparing and receiving trucks and unload donations.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and orderly workspace; use pallet jacks and dollies; follow safety rules.
• Track number of donations and donor zip codes in laptop.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Inventory management

Safety procedures

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Ottawa Store - Ottawa, IL 61350
Position Type: Part Time
Salary Range: $15.50 - $19.00 Hourly
Job Category: Retail

Accountability

Responsible for all duties as assigned by the Store Manager, including receiving donations; providing exceptional customer service; sorting, salvaging, trashing and processing textiles, hard goods, and commercial goods; and preparing goods for transit.

Responsibilities & Essential Functions

Communication

• Provides responsive and respectful service to donors, demonstrating a commitment to excellence in customer service through effective communication. Greet donors promptly and politely (within 30 seconds), assist in unloading vehicles, thank donors for supporting Goodwill, answer questions, appropriately decline donations, educate donors on the “Can’t Use” list and recall items, provide tax information, complete donor receipts and all required forms accurately and efficiently while maintaining positive communication with the donor.
• Responsive and respectful towards others within the organization. Promotes internal and external customer service through effective communication and displays courteous and respectful interactions with fellow employees.

Inventory Management

• Processes hard goods (wares, electrical, furniture, books, shoes, accessories). This includes sorting based on store criteria, minimizing trash, and salvaging as applicable.
• Sorts textiles based on the store standards. Discards only approved items into trash, and places miscellaneous items in appropriate containers (e.g., recycling, totes, carts).
• Identifies items that are priced by management (e.g., wedding gowns, furs, formals).
• Assists in preparing and receiving trucks.

Safety

• Consistently follows established safety rules. Reports safety accidents and hazards when known and in a timely manner. Maintains a safe, clean, and orderly work area. Utilizes the proper equipment and supplies to meet safety standards.
• Uses assigned tools and equipment such as pallet jacks and dollies, and may be trained and certified on a power stacker.

Other

• Tracks number of donations and zip codes for donors by entering information into laptop.
• Maintains workstation supplies.
• Completes a 5‑minute cleanup of the workstation daily.
• Demonstrates regard for Goodwill’s assets, including property and equipment.

Environment

This position is based in a retail store environment and involves regular interaction with customers and team members. Duties include work in the warehouse area, which can involve exposure to varying temperatures, noise, dust, and the physical handling of goods. The role requires standing and walking for extended periods, frequent bending and lifting, and the ability to safely move merchandise and materials. Flexibility to shift between customer‑facing and warehouse responsibilities is essential. Weekend and evening work are required.

Sensory and Physical Requirements

Ability to efficiently and effectively perform all functions of the job. Ability to stand, bend, lift, and reach for long periods of time. Ability to lift up to 40 pounds and occasionally up to 80 pounds. Use of both hands. Good manual and finger dexterity. Ability to inspect and eliminate non‑saleable donations.

Qualifications

• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate with the public and customers (internal and external).
• Ability to count, add, and subtract.
• Ability to follow instructions and work independently.
• Ability to follow all safety rules.
• Must be able to operate a pricing gun and price merchandise appropriately.

Key Benefits We Offer

• Flexible work schedule
• Store discount
• Illinois Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Cultural observance day
• Tuition reimbursement
• 401(k)
• Voluntary Aflac
• Career advancement opportunities

Goodwill of Northern Illinois is an equal opportunity employer. The employment relationship is at will.