Recycling Associate - East Portland

Habitat for Humanity Portland Region•Portland, OR

12h•$17 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

The Recycling Associate coordinates day-to-day recycling operations at assigned ReStore locations, working with store team members and volunteers. The position is under the general supervision of the Salvage & Recycling Manager and receives daily operational direction from designated store leadership. Typical work includes inspecting and sorting recyclable items, transferring containers, guiding volunteers, and providing customer service. The employee is expected to work safely and efficiently, communicate respectfully with coworkers, volunteers, donors, and customers, take initiative, and understand how the work supports Habitat for Humanity’s mission. The position is shared between the Portland and Gresham ReStores and requires commuting to either location. The employee will usually divide time evenly between the two stores, although business needs may require more time at one location. Occasional temporary support at a west-side ReStore in Tigard or Beaverton may be requested for training or operational support. The role is full-time, hourly, and non-exempt, with a 40-hour workweek. The position is funded through December 31, 2027, through a partnership with Circular Action Alliance.

Requirements

One year of customer service experience.
Attention to detail and a passion for reuse and recycling.
Ability to work as part of a team of staff and volunteers while following leadership direction.
Attentiveness and willingness to maintain a clean and organized work environment.
Time-management skills, including managing material-flow urgency, arriving on time for shifts, and meeting pickup deadlines.
Knowledge of, or ability to learn, the correct and safe use of tools and equipment such as a forklift, pallet jack, and dolly.
A safety-first mindset and willingness to model safe practices and encourage peers to follow safety policies and procedures.
Proficiency with, or ability to learn, communication tools such as a telephone, email, and two-way radio.
Ability to adapt to a changing work environment and learn new operational skills as the program develops.
Ability to commute to the Portland and Gresham ReStore locations.

Nice To Haves

Volunteer experience.
Master Recycler certification.
Bilingual in Spanish.
A qualifying combination of education, certification, and experience demonstrating the ability to perform the job duties.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in ReStore recycling and sustainability initiatives, particularly the RecycleOn Center.
Greet the public, accept and inspect recyclable materials that meet RecycleOn program criteria, and decline materials that do not.
Partner with the Store Volunteer Coordinator to guide volunteers in daily recycling tasks.
Process and inspect recycling materials and reduce contamination in recycling streams.
Help keep facilities clean and organized, including receiving areas, break rooms, and outdoor common areas.
Support donation processing by guiding the correct sorting of waste and recyclable materials and maintaining collection bins.
Assist with loading, unloading, and sorting recycling materials received at the store or prepared for transport.
Engage customers, donors, and community members in Habitat’s mission by sharing information about events, Habitat builds, volunteer opportunities, and recycling initiatives.
Support recycling program tasks at other ReStore locations as needed or assigned.

Benefits

Employer-paid medical, vision, alternative care, and prescription health insurance premiums for employees, with 50% paid for dependents.
Employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA).
Employer-paid dental insurance for employees, with 50% paid for dependents.
Employer-paid disability insurance.
Paid time off, including three weeks of vacation starting, two weeks of sick time, 11 paid holidays, and a paid birthday off.
3% matching 403(b) retirement savings plan.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
Life insurance.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Paid family and medical leave.