Title: Donations & Operations Associate

Reports To:   Director of Common Threads 

Employment Status: Part-time or Full-time, hourly, non-exempt

Schedule: Minimum 20 hrs/week on a set schedule that includes 

a Saturday shift

Works From: Fairview Park store location, with occasional travel between locations or pick-ups with company vehicle

Position Summary

The Donations & Operations Associate serves as the first point of contact for donors at Common Threads, creating a welcoming and positive experience that reflects the organization’s mission and brand. This role plays a key part in maintaining the daily flow of store operations by receiving and sorting donations, supporting inventory movement, and assisting with general store upkeep.

In addition to providing exceptional customer service, this position supports operational needs through light maintenance tasks, basic cleaning, and collaboration with the trucking team to move furniture and inventory between locations. Strong organization, flexibility, and a willingness to contribute across teams are essential for success in this role.

General Responsibilities

• Greet donors with a warm welcome and assist with the drop-off process
• Provide donation receipts and ensure a positive, professional experience
• Sort donations efficiently and distribute them to the appropriate departments
• Assist with the movement of items within departments and the store
• Help customers safely load purchased furniture
• Answer donation phone calls, take donation pickup requests, and post the requests on Slack
• Support recycling and removal of unsellable items
• Assist with emptying and taking out the trash
• Perform cleaning tasks in the store and warehouse areas
• Handle light maintenance and handyman tasks, such as assembling furniture, changing lightbulbs, and minor repairs and replacements
• Assist the trucking team with moving furniture or other inventory items between locations
• Assist with opening and closing procedures, when needed 
• Additional duties as assigned by supervisor or management

Key Skills and Qualifications

• Strong customer service skills with a friendly, welcoming demeanor
• Clear verbal communication and ability to interact with a wide range of people
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to multitask and stay focused in a fast‑paced environment
• Hands‑on problem‑solving and willingness to pitch in where needed
• Team‑oriented mindset with the ability to work independently
• Basic technology skills (phone use, messaging platforms such as Slack, light computer use for documentation/reporting)
  

Physical and Other Requirements

• Previous customer service, retail, warehouse, or donation‑center experience preferred but not required
• Experience driving a box truck is preferred but not required
• Ability to safely lift, move, twist, push, pull, and load furniture and donated items (up to 50 lbs)
• Comfortable performing light maintenance and basic handyman tasks, including climbing a ladder to change light bulbs
• Willingness to assist with cleaning and maintaining organized, safe work areas
• Reliable attendance and punctuality
• Willingness to adjust hours as needed to support operational needs, with advance notice whenever possible
• Reliable transportation

• Ability to pass a background check
• Must be eligible to be insured under the organization’s vehicle insurance policy
• Authorized to work in the United States for any employer

Work areas may periodically be dusty due to indoor/outdoor traffic, donated items, and cleaning. The position may also require occasional work in outdoor or warehouse environments. Brief, intermittent exposure to outdoor weather conditions is expected while assisting donors.

Compensation and Benefits

• $13-15 per hour, commensurate with experience
• Retirement plan with employer match up to 3%
• PTO accrual begins on start date 
• Employer-sponsored health benefits (30+hrs/wk) and voluntary supplemental life benefits (20+hrs/wk)
• Bonus and attendance incentive compensation plans
• Growth and management opportunities available
  

Common Threads is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a welcoming environment for all employees, donors, and customers.