BE KIND, BE BOLD, BE CREATIVE
Richmond Furniture Scheme (RFS) is a small, but perfectly formed, furniture reuse charity operating from a base in Twickenham. We aim to deliver on three big ambitions:
Making homes by ensuring everyone has access to affordable furniture.
Protecting the environment by reducing landfill and finding new homes for donated, reuse furniture.
Building community by creating opportunities for those looking to build or rebuild their skills.
We are seeking a Van Driver with who will deliver excellent furniture delivery support and customer service.
Principle objectives of the Scheme
Relief from hardship
Alleviate the effects of poverty by providing access to affordable furniture
Reducing waste
Reduce waste to landfill through furniture re-use and recycling
Volunteering
Offer the community opportunities to volunteer, gain work experience and learn new skills
Van operations are a vital part of RFS. The Scheme operates a furniture collection and delivery service using our own van. Donors and customers rely on the service we provide. We regularly exceed 150 tonnes of collected and delivered items, from over 1400 customers and donors. We operate collections and deliveries Monday to Friday.
Van Driver- Job Description
Hours: 37.5 hours per week 07:30 until 16:00 with an hour for lunch break.
Location: working out of our Twickenham base.
Reporting to the CEO, the starting salary is £23,500
Duties include:
Loading and unloading furniture, safely, in accordance with manual handling requirements,
Securing van loads using straps, ropes and ties as required,
Checking condition of collected furniture and that it complies with agreed quality standards,
Route planning,
Contacting donors and customers to advise on jobs and progress as required,
Ensuring the van is serviceable, tidy and clean,
Completing job logs accurately,
Maintain customer and donor confidentiality in accordance with GDPR,
Assisting warehouse staff with moving furniture on site,
Carry out other duties as authorised and delegated by the CEO.
Responsibilities:
Work co-operatively with the CEO, staff and our partners in the community,
Adhere to the organisation’s policies and procedures,
To promote the aims of the charity within the community,
Report any incidents or accidents to the office and or the CEO in a timely manner,
To refrain from any activities which may reflect badly on the reputation of the charity to the wider public and our partners in the community.
Person specification:
Previous work experience with a delivery and collection service – desirable,
Excellent customer service skills, over the phone and in person – essential,
Works well as part of a team – essential,
Able to handle heavy items safely and in accordance with manual handling best practice – essential,
Able to demonstrate IT literacy (app-based software on phone/tablets) - desirable,
Good communicator – essential,
An eye for detail and process – essential,
Ability to understand policies and procedures – essential,
English (written and spoken) – essential,
Previous experience working in charity – desirable,
Clean driver’s license – highly desirable.
Behaviours:
Professional image at all times,
Creates open and supportive team environment,
Initiates and implements improvements to work processes and practices within their remit,
Demonstrates the Scheme’s core values; be kind, be bold and be creative,
Is proactive with the ability to react positively to unexpected events.
Safeguarding:
Richmond Furniture Scheme is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Safe recruitment of staff is central to this commitment. We will ensure that our recruitment policies and practices are robust, and that our selection procedures prevent unsuitable people from gaining access to children, young people and vulnerable adults. All adults who work with or on behalf of children and young people in these organisations must be competent, confident and safe to do so.
All posts working with Children & Vulnerable Adults should be aware of and share the commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when applying for jobs within Richmond Furniture Scheme.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people, people with disabilities and people from lower income and diverse educational backgrounds who may be under-represented in our organisation.
The position will be subject to a Debarring Service (DBS) check. Richmond Furniture Scheme undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a criminal record check on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed.
How to apply: Send CV and cover letter to hr@rfsonline.co.uk
Application closing date is 19 February 2025