Physical Plant Associate

Job Summary

The Plant Associate plays a key role in ensuring the cleanliness, organization, and efficient operations of the facility, including the management of donations and overall maintenance. Reporting directly to the Physical Plant Team Leader, this position collaborates with team members to maintain a positive and productive workplace for employees, volunteers, and donors.

Primary Responsibilities

Facility Maintenance:

• Clean and sanitize public and staff restrooms daily.
• Maintain cleanliness in retail and processing areas as per the cleaning schedule, including:
• Sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming floors.
• Dusting, washing windows, and cleaning display cases, racks, and shelves.
• Emptying trash and ensuring trash removal is conducted promptly.
• Organize and clean the break room as needed.
• Perform minor maintenance tasks and address cleanliness concerns in coordination with the supervisor.
• Assist with landscaping, grounds maintenance, and snow removal as needed.

Donation Management:

• Assist with the full donation process, ensuring the dock, receiving areas, and warehouse remain clean, organized, and safe.
• Assist donors and customers with large item drop-offs and pickups.
• Assists with logistics related to recycling non-reusable items and properly disposing of non-recyclables,
• Sanitize donated fabrics, linens, and furniture to meet quality standards.
• Support the pick-up and delivery of donations as required.

Collaboration and Support:

• Work cooperatively with the Physical Plant Team Manager, management team, and co-workers.
• Flexibly adjust to changing priorities and assist with additional tasks assigned by the Physical Plant Manager.

Work Environment

The Physical Plant Associate is expected to report to the Thrift Manager in the absence of the Physical Plant Manager. This position requires attention to detail, good communication skills in order to communicate effectively with donors, customers and co-workers verbally ,as well as, written.

Harrisonburg Gift & Thrift supports the local and global relief, development and peace projects of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC.ORG). We also support other local nonprofits in the Harrisonburg/Rockingham/Augusta area that serve at-risk populations in our communities. We also strive to be good environmental stewards, saving as much as possible from the landfill.

Other Duties and Requirements

The regular schedule of work days is Monday through Friday and occasional Saturdays with a schedule agreed upon at hire. Reliable and satisfactory attendance is an essential function of this position. The duties, responsibilities, and requirements listed above should not be interpreted as a comprehensive list. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as deemed appropriate. In accordance with the ADA, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate otherwise qualified disabled individuals. However, no accommodation will be made that may pose serious health or safety risks to any individual associated with Gift & Thrift. Additionally, no accommodation will be made which impose undue hardships on Gift & Thrift or co-workers or volunteers.

• Strong organizational skills and a detail-oriented approach.
• Team-oriented with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Previous experience in facilities maintenance, warehouse operations, or related fields is preferred.
• Physical ability to lift and move items up to 25 lbs regularly.
• Fork experience and license preferred.
• Ability to self-organize daily and weekly tasks effectively.
• Must understand and follow oral instructions and communicate effectively with supervisors and team members.
• Proficiency with email and/or telephone communication is helpful.

Work Environment & Schedule

• Flexibility to work occasional Saturdays to support operational needs.
• Coordinate personal work schedules with the Physical Plant Manager and communicate time-off requests via the appropriate channels.

This position ensures the seamless maintenance and operations of the facility, contributing significantly to a positive experience for staff, volunteers, and visitors.