ReClaim It is a creative reuse nonprofit, unique in the Portland area in that we salvage most of our materials directly from the Transfer Station, aka the dump. We envision a future where our community prioritizes waste reduction, where our neighbors are empowered with the knowledge and resources to repair and reuse rather than throw away, and where local artists choose creative reuse to demonstrate the possibility of a beautiful, sustainable planet.
Job Summary
The Volunteer & Engagement Coordinator is responsible for recruiting, scheduling, onboarding, and training volunteers who support daily store operations, material gleaning, incoming donations, community events & creative reuse programming. This role also supports all events and community engagement opportunities, in-store & off-site. They foster a welcoming, organized & mission-driven volunteer experience & they represent ReClaim It in the community, building awareness of ReClaim It's goals of sustainability & creative reuse.
Experience & Qualifications
- Two years experience recruiting, scheduling, training, and coordinating a diverse team of volunteers (transferable experience will be considered)
- Experience coordinating events and outreach activities
- Experience with CRMs or other databases
- Experience working in a nonprofit setting (preferred but not required)
- Retail experience, ideally in the reuse sector (preferred but not required)
- Willingness to work with materials gleaned from the Transfer Station, including but not limited to cleaning, sorting, loading, and unloading
- Familiar with and commitment to ReClaim It and its mission
- Ability to inspire and motivate others to work towards a common goal
- Ability to think independently and problem solve
- Ability to work cooperatively with a team
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Valid driver's license and ability to drive U-Haul truck (preferred but not required)
- Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds
- Knowledgeable about safe practices for moving heavy or unwieldy furniture and items
- Capable of and willing to work in an environment that may include dirt, dust, mold, and odors
Duties and Responsibilities
Volunteer Recruitment and Onboarding
- Recruit new volunteers through local communities, organizations, schools, and online platforms.
- Process volunteer applications, ensuring potential volunteers align with RCI's values and mission.
- Conduct orientations to familiarize new volunteers with RCI's policies, expectations, and roles.
- Coordinate training of new volunteers with relevant staff or experienced volunteers.
Scheduling and Coordination
- Maintain and manage a volunteer schedule that aligns with store and Transfer Station needs, material processing demands, and event support.
- Ensure shifts are adequately staffed and reflect store and programmatic priorities, seasonal needs, and inventory levels.
- Communicate shift assignments and updates regularly with volunteers, covering any gaps by contacting standby volunteers or coordinating with staff.
- Ensure daily tasks are clearly identified and communicated to volunteers.
- Provide back-up volunteer oversight when relevant Coordinators/Managers are unavailable.
Training and Development
- Provide training refreshers and skill-building opportunities as needed, especially for specialized volunteer roles, such as gleaning, pricing, repair, fabric processing, or online store support.
- Identify and mentor volunteers who show potential for leadership, giving them additional responsibilities to foster growth and retention.
- Maintain a volunteer handbook and provide access to any other resources or materials needed for effective volunteer work.
- Develop and maintain SOPs for standard volunteer tasks.
Volunteer Recognition and Engagement
- Responsible for sending out a monthly volunteer newsletter, gathering content and images, and working with Communications Coordinator to ensure consistent aesthetic and formatting.
- Organize regular appreciation activities such as thank-you notes and volunteer spotlight features.
- Create channels for volunteers to provide feedback and suggestions, encouraging open communication to improve volunteer satisfaction and retention.
- Foster a sense of community among volunteers by organizing occasional gatherings, training workshops, or team-building activities.
Event Coordination and Support
- Provide scheduling and logistical support for fundraising and engagement events and activities, such as art shows, maker parties, workshops, fundraising campaigns, creative reuse fairs, and community tabling opportunities, in-store and off-site.
- Provide staff support on the day for events and coordinate other staff and volunteers as necessary (e.g., set-up, registration, food service, check-out, clean up).
- Cultivate volunteer pool for events.
- Ensure post-event recognition of volunteers and debrief with staff to assess needs for future events.
Data Management and Reporting
- Maintain accurate records of volunteer hours, including shift attendance and event participation.
- Prepare monthly summaries of volunteer activity, including total hours contributed, number of active volunteers, and significant contributions or achievements, for reporting to the board.
- Keep a current database of volunteer contact information, availability, and areas of interest or expertise.
This is a 30 hours per week position, starting at $25/hour. The schedule is Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 4:30pm, with some flexibility. Benefits include: 3.5 weeks PTO, 5 Floating Holidays, Oregon Saves plan, $25 monthly store credit.
Applications accepted until position filled. Priority deadline: August 23, 2026
To be considered, please submit a cover letter and your resume to: apply@reclaimitpdx.org. Reference "Volunteer & Engagement Coordinator" and (your Last Name) in the subject line.