Recycling Associate - West Portland

Habitat for Humanity Portland Region•Portland, OR

1d•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 role is under the general supervision of the Salvage & Recycling Manager and receives day-to-day operational direction from designated store leadership. Typical work includes inspecting and sorting recyclable items, transferring containers, guiding volunteers, and serving customers. The associate is expected to work safely and efficiently, communicate respectfully, take initiative, and understand how the work connects to Habitat for Humanity’s mission. The position is shared between the Portland and Gresham ReStores, with time typically divided evenly between them. Occasional temporary support at west-side ReStores may be requested for training or operational support, and the role may also support recycling tasks at other locations as assigned. The position is full-time, hourly, and non-exempt, with 40 hours per week. It is funded through a partnership with Circular Action Alliance through December 31, 2027. The work takes place in an open warehouse and retail environment and is physically active. It includes frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing, and handling items over 50 pounds with mechanical or co-worker assistance.

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 ability 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 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 assigned Portland and Gresham store locations.
Any combination of formal education, paid work experience, unpaid or volunteer experience, and life experience will be considered; no minimum education or experience requirement is specified.
Ability to perform frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing, and to frequently lift, move, or load items over 50 pounds with mechanical or co-worker assistance.

Nice To Haves

Volunteer experience.
Master Recycler certification.
Bilingual in Spanish.
Any qualifying combination of education, certification, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in ReStore recycling and sustainability initiatives, particularly the RecycleOn Center.
Greet the public, accept and inspect 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 recyclable 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 correct sorting of waste versus 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.
Work safely and communicate respectfully with coworkers, volunteers, donors, and customers.

Benefits

Employer-paid medical, vision, alternative care, and prescription health insurance premiums for employees; 50% of dependent premiums paid.
Employer-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA).
Employer-paid dental insurance for employees; 50% of dependent premiums paid.
Employer-paid disability insurance.
Paid time off, starting at three weeks of vacation and two weeks of sick time.
11 paid holidays.
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.