Forklift and Warehouse Instructor

Job Description

Job Description

The Center for People is a dynamic non-profit organization that provides innovative services and programs to the low-income community in Lincoln, Nebraska, addressing basic needs and providing opportunities to achieve economic independence for our clients. 

We are currently looking for a Forklift and Warehouse Instructor. This position is a full-time, 40 hour per week, onsite position.

I. GENERAL FUNCTIONS 

The Forklift and Warehouse Instructor provides comprehensive instruction and interactive training in principles of warehouse logistics and forklift operation. This role delivers participant-centered curriculum and conducts skills-based training sessions to ensure participants acquire the necessary skills for efficient warehouse management and forklift operation. The instructor is responsible for maintaining active and appropriate supervision of assigned learners, ensuring learner safety, accountability, and compliance with program and facility expectations. Success in this role includes teaching participants employable skills, modeling professional behaviors, and consistently establishing and maintaining clear, ethical professional boundaries with learners.

II. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Maintain a warm, clean, welcoming, and professional environment in educational programming spaces
• Provide active, consistent supervision of assigned learners at all times, maintaining situational awareness of learner locations, activities, interactions, and safety within program and warehouse environments
• Maintain appropriate staff-to-learner oversight and ensure learners remain only in authorized areas and engaged in approved program, training, or work activities
• Enforce program, facility, safety, and supervision expectations consistently; promptly address unauthorized, unsafe, disruptive, or concerning behavior and communicate or escalate concerns in accordance with Center for People procedures
• Establish and maintain clear professional boundaries with learners, including avoiding favoritism, inappropriate personal relationships, unnecessary personal disclosure, unauthorized communication or contact, financial or personal exchanges, and interactions outside the scope of the employee’s professional role
• Maintain professional, observable, and role-appropriate interactions with learners and immediately report boundary concerns, supervision concerns, safety issues, or suspected policy violations to the appropriate supervisor
• Utilize de-escalation techniques when needed and redirect participants from behaviors that are in conflict with program expectations and goals
• Facilitate check-ins & deliver curriculum to support justice-impacted community members in their personal development and reintegration efforts.
• Provide a continuum of care by offering a holistic approach that addresses the diverse needs of justice-impacted community members, ensuring access to resources, emotional support, and skills development for successful reintegration into the workforce.
• Deliver comprehensive safety training sessions, emphasizing the importance of safety procedures, hazard identification, and compliance with regulations in warehouse environments
• Curate training materials, lesson plans, and educational content focused on warehouse logistics, inventory management, and forklift operation
• Conduct interactive and engaging training sessions to teach participants about warehouse procedures, inventory control, storage systems, and safe forklift handling techniques
• Provide practical demonstrations and hands-on training in forklift operation, emphasizing safety protocols, equipment maintenance, and maneuvering techniques
• Educate participants on logistics principles, including inbound and outbound shipment coordination, inventory tracking, order processing, and workflow optimization
• Evaluate participants' comprehension and practical skills in warehouse logistics and forklift operation, providing feedback and additional support as needed
• Maintain accurate records of participant progress, assessments, and training outcomes. Generate reports to track skill development and training effectiveness
• Monitor industry trends, best practices, and technological advancements in warehouse logistics and forklift operations. Incorporate relevant updates into training modules
• Maintain flexible work schedule to ensure organizational needs are being met, may include weekend and evening hours
• Ability to manage time effectively and discipline to work autonomously
• Operate in accordance with all contracts, government regulations, and Center for People policies and procedures
• Exhibit high integrity and consistently maintain ethical professional boundaries with learners, recognizing the inherent power differential in the facilitator-learner relationship and ensuring all interactions remain professional, appropriate, and aligned with organizational policy
• Complete required 5-Key training and consistently apply 5-Key requirements, protocols, and expectations while working with learners
• Other duties as assigned

III. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain clear, ethical professional boundaries with learners and to exercise sound judgment in staff-learner interactions
• Ability to provide active supervision, maintain learner accountability, recognize potential safety or boundary concerns, and respond or escalate appropriately
• Ability and willingness to successfully complete required 5-Key training and maintain compliance with applicable 5-Key protocols and expectations
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with diverse populations in a positive, courteous and helpful manner
• Knowledge of industry trends and best practices related to warehouse logistics and forklift operation
• Knowledge of local community agencies and resources
• Knowledge of effective coaching methodologies and best practices to identify and address potential barriers to success
• Ability to address small and large groups in the course of program operations and community outreach
• Previous experience working with adult learners

IV. DESIRABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE 

• Exceptional teaching, communication, and presentation skills are essential, along with familiarity in instructional design and curriculum development. Hands-on experience in warehouse logistics, inventory management, and forklift operation. An adept understanding of safety regulations, instructional design, adaptable training methods. Forklift operation certification preferred. A relevant bachelor’s degree or a minimum of 4 years' experience in warehouse logistics, forklift operation, or related area can substitute.
  

V. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• High school diploma or equivalent, with some college coursework preferred. Valid Nebraska driver’s license and current motor vehicle insurance.
  

VI. WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT 

Center for People operates a dynamic, multi-program facility that includes office, classroom, food pantry, warehouse, and other program and community spaces. Due to the size of the organization and the collaborative nature of our work, employees may periodically be asked to provide coverage, assistance, or support in areas outside of their primary assigned workspace or regular job duties, consistent with organizational needs and the employee's training and ability to safely perform the work.

Employees should be aware that working conditions throughout the organization may vary. Depending on the area of the building and activities occurring, employees may encounter fluorescent lighting, varying temperatures, moderate to high or intermittent noise levels, crowds or groups of participants and volunteers, warehouse equipment, deliveries, and other environmental conditions associated with an active community-service facility.

Some areas of the facility, including the warehouse, are only semi-temperature controlled and may experience significant temperature fluctuations based on weather, season, building activity, and the opening and closing of exterior doors.

Employees are expected to maintain appropriate situational awareness, follow applicable safety and security procedures, and comply with supervision and professional-boundary expectations whenever interacting with learners, participants, volunteers, or members of the public, regardless of the area in which they are working.

Center for People is an Equal Opportunity Employer