Job Details

Salvage Material HandlerThis is a hands-on, physically active role for someone who enjoys working with materials, people, and purpose. Salvage Material Handlers help keep reusable building materials in circulation by unloading, sorting, pricing, moving, and stocking items in a fast paced warehouse, retail, and outdoor work environment. This role supports ReBuilding Center's mission by helping reduce waste, advance sustainability, and expand community access to affordable building materials.Salvage Material Handlers work in an active store, warehouse, lumberyard, and open-air/outdoor environment. This position requires comfort working in changing weather conditions, including cold, heat, rain, and seasonal temperature changes.The role may include:Frequent handling of heavy, bulky, dusty, or dirty materials, such as doors, cabinets, sinks, lumber, appliances, and architectural salvageWork on concrete floors and in open-air areas that may be colder in winter and warmer in summerExposure to dust, dirt, mold, construction residue, and outdoor elementsLow potential for exposure to lead, asbestos, or other hazardous materials found in salvaged building materialsUse of equipment such as hand trucks, carts, furniture dollies, pallet jacks, and other material-handling toolsPrimary Duties and Responsibilities:Store and Material OperationsSafely unload donated and salvaged materials from vehiclesSort, clean, price, stock, and organize reusable building materialsMove and place materials throughout the store, warehouse, and outdoor yard areas, including lumber, doors, cabinets, appliances, hardware, and other departments.Assist with merchandising and maintaining well-stocked, organized sales areasHelp keep the store, warehouse, and outdoor areas clean, accessible, and safe for staff, volunteers, donors, and customersCustomer and Community SupportProvide respectful, helpful service and support a welcoming, accessible environment for customers, donors, volunteers, and visitors.Answer basic questions about materials, store processes, and where items are locatedHelp customers safely access, move, or load materials when appropriateTeamwork and CommunicationArrive on time, ready to work, and prepared for an active physical shiftWork collaboratively with coworkers, volunteers, and supervisorsCommunicate clearly and respectfully with team members and visitorsSupport daily store priorities and adapt to changing material flow, staffing needs, and customer activitySafetyFollow safety procedures when handling materials, including using required safety footwear/PPE and proper lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, and team-lift techniques.Help identify and report hazards, spills, blocked pathways, damaged materials, or unsafe conditionsSupport safe loading and unloading practices for staff, volunteers, customers, and donorsOccasional DrivingThis role may include occasional driving of ReBuilding Center vehicles for store-related material movement, pickups, or deliveries. Driving is not required for all shifts. Employees assigned to drive must have a valid driver's license.Required Qualifications:Ability to safely lift, push, pull, and carry up to 75 pounds throughout the workday, including repetitive bending, lifting, carrying, stacking, pushing, pulling, standing, and walking.Ability to work in an outdoor/open-air environment with dust, dirt, weather exposure, and seasonal temperature changesAbility to wear steel-toed or safety shoes from the first day of employmentStrong reliability, punctuality, and follow-throughClear, respectful communication skillsAbility to work well with coworkers, volunteers, donors, customers, and community membersCommitment to ReBuilding Center's values: Sustainability, Inclusion, Scrappiness, Fun, Compassion, and RespectPreferred Qualifications:Experience in a warehouse, lumberyard, reuse/salvage, construction materials, retail operations, or other physically active work environmentExperience safely moving large, heavy, or bulky materialsFamiliarity with building materials, tools, hardware, lumber, cabinets, doors, appliances, or architectural salvageBilingual skills, especially languages commonly used by ReBuilding Center customers and community membersCompensation and Benefits:Starting Pay Rate: $19/hour; Bilingual pay differential, if applicable under organizational policy$1.50 per hour driving differential for hours/shifts when the employee is assigned to drive ReBuilding Center vehiclesHealth Benefits : 100% employer-paid Kaiser medical coverage for employees, with 40% coverage for spouses and dependent children (Silver or Bronze plans). Gold buy-up plan available at additional cost.Dental and Vision : 100% employer-paid dental coverage for employees, and 50% for spouses and dependent children. Vision benefit included.Other Benefits : Flexible Spending, Health Savings, and Dependent Care Accounts available.5 weeks paid time off and 7 paid holidays annually.Employer-paid Life Insurance.401(k) with pre- and post-tax options.Employee Assistance Program (EAP).20% discount at the ReBuilding Center store.Free RBC Education Class attendance (material fees may apply).Hiring Timeline : Position open until filled. We will begin contacting selected candidates in the beginning of June and hope to fill the position by early July.About ReBuilding Center ReBuilding Center is the heart of low-cost, community-based reuse and repair in Portland. Since 1997, we've kept over 60 million pounds of building materials in use, making home repair and creative reuse affordable and accessible for all. Through our retail store and education programs, we support a thriving community of homeowners, artists, makers, and DIYers.Working at ReBuilding Center Bring your whole self to work. Our team is collaborative, hands-on, and grounded in sustainability, respect, and continuous improvement. We are committed to building an actively anti-racist organization and to evolving our practices, policies, and culture over time.Equal Opportunity & Accommodation RequestReBuilding Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected characteristics. We encourage applications from individuals with lived experience related to our mission and from historically marginalized communities. ReBuilding Center is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants. If you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, participate in an interview, or otherwise take part in the hiring process, please contact Nicholette, HR, at nicholette@rebuildingcenter.org