Job Description

About Evergreen Goodwill

Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1923 that helps people get jobs across Northwest Washington by offering high-quality free job training, education and job placement. Goodwill empowers individuals to overcome barriers to working, by providing comprehensive support and connecting them with life changing job opportunities, ensuring they are career-ready and can support themselves and their families.

The organization employs over 2,000 people, operates five job-training centers, 23 nonprofit retail stores and more than 27 donation sites in King, Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom and Kitsap Counties. Every day, Evergreen Goodwill connects people with the jobs, services and skills they need — because Jobs Change Lives. We are committed to creating and sustaining a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion (DEI) and are focused on creating a joyful, inclusive and successful organization.

Job Title: Forklift Operator

Salary: $24.00

Location: Seattle Goodwill Outlet, Seattle WA

About the Position

The Forklift Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient movement of inventory in a high-volume warehouse and distribution environment. This position operates a forklift approximately 90% of the workday and supports loading, unloading, material handling, and inventory movement. This is a safety-sensitive position requiring the regular operation of powered industrial equipment.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Warehouse & Inventory Operations

• Stage, pick, pull, and move inventory according to warehouse procedures.
• Load and unload trailers and shipping containers, including live load and live unload activities.
• Support the movement and management of high-volume inventory, which may include volumes of approximately up to 9,000 boxes.
• Transport materials over longer distances throughout the facility.
• Meet established productivity, accuracy, and operational performance standards.
• Maintain situational awareness around loading docks, trailers, moving equipment, employees, and pedestrians.

Forklift & Equipment Operation

• Operate a forklift approximately 90% of the workday in a high-volume environment.
• Operate forklifts and other authorized powered industrial equipment as trained, evaluated, and certified.
• Use specialized equipment attachments, including clamp attachments, for product handling and disposal operations.
• Perform required pre-use and post-use equipment inspections in accordance with company policy, OSHA requirements, and applicable federal and state regulations.

Safety & Facility Awareness

• Operate safely in high-traffic areas with employees and pedestrians.
• Follow established warehouse, equipment, and material-handling procedures.
• Report equipment concerns, hazards, unsafe conditions, incidents, and near misses promptly.
• Maintain situational awareness around loading docks, trailers, moving equipment, and pedestrians.
• Immediately report collisions, injuries, near misses, product damage, property damage, and contact with racks, docks, trailers, or other equipment.

Inventory Accuracy & Team Support

• Support inventory control and warehouse accuracy initiatives.
• Coordinate with warehouse team members to maintain efficient product flow.
• Communicate inventory, equipment, or operational issues to the appropriate leader.
• Maintain professional working relationships with production, warehouse, transportation, retail, and other operational partners.

Additional Responsibilities

• Demonstrate sound judgment and professionalism while working independently or in team environments.
• Remain calm and effective during stressful situations or emergencies.
• Maintain required certifications, training, and professional development.
• Meet established timelines for assigned work and projects.
• Uphold safe work practices and contribute to a culture of workplace safety.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of department objectives and organizational needs.

Position Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

• Experience operating a forklift in a warehouse, distribution, or similar environment preferred.
• Experience handling high-volume inventory and using specialized attachments preferred.
• Ability to work safely, follow procedures, and maintain inventory accuracy.

Certificates, Licenses, or Registrations

• Complete Evergreen Goodwill’s required forklift operator training, hands-on evaluation, and maintain authorization thereafter.
• Ability to complete required equipment and safety training.

Computer/Technology Skills

• Ability to use warehouse inventory, scanning, and reporting systems as required.
• Ability to maintain accurate electronic or written inventory records.

Physical Abilities

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, reach, bend, and communicate with others. The employee must be able to safely enter, exit, and operate forklift equipment for extended periods and work in an active warehouse environment with moving equipment, employees, and pedestrians. The role also requires the ability to handle and move materials in accordance with established safety procedures. The employee may be required to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform frequent grasping, pushing, pulling, stooping, squatting, kneeling, reaching, and movement across stairs, ramps, loading docks, and uneven surfaces. Reliable attendance is required.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in warehouse, distribution, loading-dock, trailer, and outdoor environments.
• Regular exposure to moving powered equipment, pedestrian traffic, noise, dust, varying temperatures, and other active warehouse conditions.
• Required personal protective equipment must be worn, and all posted safety rules and traffic-control requirements must be followed.

Everyone Is Welcome

When you join Evergreen Goodwill, you join a truly vibrant community. We value the things that make us different and unique. From diverse international and ethnic backgrounds, to languages, identities, ages, orientations, and beyond, Evergreen Goodwill celebrates individual and cultural diversity.

Why work at Evergreen Goodwill?

A health plan that includes medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage

100% Employer-paid life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), and long term disability insurance (for salaried employee)

Voluntary supplemental coverage for life, accident, illness, and short- and long-term disability

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Plan

Roth and 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan program

Paid vacation, (9) holiday and sick time

Limited paid time off for Jury Duty and Bereavement Leave

Employee discounts

Employee referral bonus

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Mentorship Program

Career Advancement Opportunities

Paid Job Training

EEO Statement: Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or other protected characteristics in accordance with applicable law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, compensation, benefits, and termination.

This document does not represent a contract of employment, and EGNW reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as EGNW may deem appropriate.