Driver - Thrift Store

Hope Mission Statement

The mission of Hope the Mission is to prevent, reduce and eliminate poverty, hunger, and homelessness by offering immediate assistance and long-term solutions.

Position Purpose and Summary 

Hope the Mission's Social Enterprise division operates thrift stores across Los Angeles County, and the donations that stock those stores don't move themselves.

The Driver, Thrift Store is responsible for operating Hope the Mission box trucks to collect donated goods from community members and deliver them to thrift store locations. This position is often a donor's first and only point of contact with our organization. Showing up with professionalism and genuine care reflects Hope the Mission's values and builds the community trust that keeps donations coming.

Drivers load and unload donations, sort and stage items at the thrift store, support volunteers during pickup routes, and assist other departments with large-item transport as needed. This role requires someone who takes safety seriously, follows organizational policy without exception, and understands that every donation collected helps fund services for people experiencing homelessness across Los Angeles County.

Responsibilities

Vehicle Operations

• Perform daily vehicle maintenance and fuel checks before each shift

• Drive the work team to donation pickup sites and return to the thrift store

• Operate box trucks safely in and around Los Angeles County in compliance with all traffic laws and organizational safety policies

Donation Handling

• Load donated items from donor locations into the truck

• Unload and sort donations upon return to the thrift store

• Direct program volunteers during donation pickups

Support and Additional Duties

• Assist other departments with large-load deliveries as requested

• Transport Housing Program clients as assigned

• Perform site maintenance tasks at assigned locations as directed by the Manager

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Manager

Skills

• Operate box trucks and large cargo vehicles safely in urban and high-traffic conditions

• Remain calm and exercise sound judgment in stressful or unpredictable driving situations

• Demonstrate physical stamina for repeated lifting, loading, and unloading throughout each shift

• Communicate professionally and courteously with donors, volunteers, and program participants

• Follow directions and complete tasks with minimal supervision

• Represent Hope the Mission's values in every community interaction

Qualifications 

• High school diploma or GED

• Minimum 2 years of driving experience

• Experience operating box trucks or large cargo vehicles preferred

Mandatory Requirements: 

• Background Screening – Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

• Drug and Alcohol Testing – Candidates must pass pre-employment and, if applicable, ongoing drug and alcohol screenings in accordance with company policy.

• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check – For roles requiring driving, employment is contingent upon an acceptable driving record.

• Legal Eligibility to Work – Candidates must provide proof of legal authorization to work in the United States.

• Compliance with Company Policies – All employees must comply with company policies, including safety, confidentiality, and conduct standards.

Physical, Demands, Environmental Conditions, Equipment 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The employee is required to: walk and climb stairs; stand, bend,  squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis; grasp, push, pull objects such as  files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead; handle, finger, grasp and feel objects and equipment; reach with  hands and arms; be mobile by moving oneself from place to place quickly and easily; repeat various motions with  the wrists, hands, and fingers; be able to perform visual activities for (including, but not limited to) administrative  and clerical tasks; ability to lift up to 25 lbs.; communicate, receive and exchange ideas, information by means of  the spoken and written word; drive vehicles in and around Los Angeles County; be able to enter various buildings  that may require climbing stairs; be periodically subjected to outside environmental conditions. The employee may work in proximity to service animals and emotional support animals; use a desktop and/or laptop computer; copy, postage, and fax machines. Complete all required forms in personal writing. 

Work Environment: 

The employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using alcohol and drugs, and who may not be attentive to basic personal hygiene, health and safety practices. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the participants’ use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal hygiene. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in an office setting. Sometimes work may become stressful when working under pressure. 

EEO: HTM (Hope the Mission) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, HTM complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, placement, promotion, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. 

HTM will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if HTM is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing’s Fair Chance Act webpage.