Equipment Operator Trainee - Salvage Baler

Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona; United States; On-site; USD 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)

Dental plans

Vision plan

401K Traditional and Roth

Employer Paid Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Paid Time Off; Sick and Vacation

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona is seeking an Equipment Operator Trainee in Phoenix, AZ. The role trains for 90 days to learn handling baling machines and sit‑down forklift operation, with potential promotion to Equipment Operator after successful completion and supervisor approval.

The position is safety-sensitive, with daily tasks including loading/unloading, material handling, and equipment care. Must pass background checks, drug screen, and forklift certification; English proficiency

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED or equivalent.
• Forklift certification or ability to pass certification.
• Ability to be trained and take direction.
• Proficient in speaking and reading English.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Ability to pass a background check and drug screen where applicable.

Responsibilities

• Safeguards company property and donated goods.
• Reports incidents of theft or misappropriation.
• Operates baling machine and forklift safely.
• Loads/unloads merchandise; moves containers with pallet jack.
• Performs pre-shift forklift and tipper inspections.
• Follows Lockout/Tagout procedures and safety rules.
• Maintains attendance and supports multiple ROC departments.

Education

High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent experience

Tools

Forklift Certification

Job description

515 N 51st Ave Phoenix Arizona, 85043, [phone]

Starting Pay :$15.50 Hourly

Position Description

This is a safety sensitive position. Participates in the training program for no less than 90 days in order to learn how to safely operate various equipment to include baling machines to produce bales for sale to salvage or recycle vendors and responsible for transporting materials utilizing a sit‑down forklift. Must adhere to all safety policies and wearing all required personal protective equipment at all times. After successful completion of the program, must remain in good standing without any workplace corrective action or performance improvement infractions and must successfully complete 90 days of solo machine operation without any safety incidents. Upon successful completion of the training program and approval of your supervisor and the leadership team, the Equipment Operator Trainee may become eligible to be promoted to an Equipment Operator position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Safeguards company property, including donated goods.
• Reports any incidents of theft or misappropriation or unauthorized possession of company property.
• Safeguards equipment including forklifts and bale machines.
• Responsible for clearing debris or material that will damage equipment.
• Ensures proper load handling and that each machine is in working order to safely operate.
• Takes direction from leadership with a positive attitude.
• May be cross‑trained to provide support to all departments in the Retail Operations Center (ROC), including processing donations.
• Responsible for following and ensuring all safety rules are complied with and appropriate safety equipment is used.
• Immediately takes action and/or reports any unsafe or potential hazards.
• Manually transfers donated goods from Gaylord (merchandise container) to baling machine.
• Operates baling machine to compress goods into bales.
• Loads and unloads merchandise containers from trailers and straight trucks, ensuring safety at all times.
• Operates hydraulic lift and/or pallet jack to move merchandise containers.
• Performs pre‑shift forklift and tipper machine inspection, to include fluid checks, safety precautions, etc.
• Follows Lockout/Tagout procedure if equipment is deemed unsafe or inoperable and notifies leadership.
• Performs visual inspection of contents and manually removes any breakable materials.
• Sweeps and/or dusts daily.
• Sweeps and mops floors, and washes walls around baling machines, as directed.
• Must follow daily product placement plan schematic.
• Maintains regular and consistent in‑person attendance.
• Models Goodwill Core Values – Trust, Collaboration, Engagement, Ownership, and Innovation.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Upon successful completion of the training program and approval of your supervisor and the leadership team, the Equipment Operator Trainee may become eligible to be promoted to an Equipment Operator position.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Experience, Skills)

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent experience.
• Must possess a Forklift Certification Certificate or be able to pass our Forklift Certification class.
• Ability to be trained and take direction.
• Ability to speak and read English proficiently.
• Must be at least 18 years of age or older.
• Ability to pass a background check and drug screen, where applicable for position.

Benefits

• 3 Medical Plans.
• Employer Funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA).
• 3 Dental Plans.
• Vision Plan.
• 401K Traditional and Roth Plans.
• Employer Paid Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Paid Time Off; Sick and Vacation.
• Paid Holidays.

Our mission is: Empowering Individuals, Strengthening Families, and Building Stronger Communities. Goodwill provides no-cost career development, training, and education services to help individuals build a better life for themselves and their families. Our core values are Trust, Collaboration, Engagement, Ownership, and Innovation. Everything we accomplish as a team is centered around these core values. Together, we create an inclusive and welcoming environment for each other. With stores conveniently located near you, you can work for a company where team strength and success are valued and encouraged.

Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified individuals seeking employment are considered without regard to race (including traits associated with race, e.g., hairstyles), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, disability, military status, age, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state and local fair employment practice laws. Individuals with a disability may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and/or state or local laws.

Please contact Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona at 1-833-624-0920 option 6 or [e-mail] if you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. For questions about your application or employment with Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, please contact our Candidate Support Line at 1-833-624-0920, option 5.