Volunteer Opportunities

We are looking for passionate people who are interested in helping to grow our organization and work on our various campaigns. These positions provide valuable experience and skill-building in the non-profit sector and the environmental field. It is also an opportunity to significantly contribute to Waste Free Edmonton’s effort to reduce the amount of waste produced in Edmonton. Currently, we are looking for volunteers to fill the following roles:

Lawn Campaign

For some exciting new volunteer opportunities as part of our lawn transformation campaign, please go to our dedicated Lawn Campaign page!

Public Outreach

Events Coordinator

  • Responsibilities: 
    • Identify events that Waste Free Edmonton can participate in to promote our organization and campaigns (e.g. markets, festivals, conferences)
    • Identify and coordinate the hosting of Waste Free Edmonton events and workshops (e.g. meet-ups, documentary screenings)
    • Lead development and expansion of community outreach efforts;
    • Find volunteers to assist with events and coordinate their efforts 
  • Preferred Skills: 
    • Event planning experience
    • Knowledge of events and other networking opportunities in Edmonton
    • Strong communication skills
    • Strong organizational skills
    • Ability to build strong relationships with new people and organizations
    • Works well independently and as part of a team
  • Time Commitment:
    • 2 to 5 hours per month

Meet Up Liaison

  • Responsibilities: 
    • Represent Waste Free Edmonton at its Meet Ups and Climate Chats, among other events as necessary
    • Assist with set up and tear down of any event materials
    • Work with Events Coordinator and representatives from event locations to ensure timely and efficient event proceedings
    • Identify prospective volunteers and refer them to Waste Free Edmonton volunteers for further
    • Use and schedule social media (Facebook, Instagram) to promote and highlight events before, during, and after
  • Preferred Skills: 
    • Knowledge of events and other networking opportunities in Edmonton
    • Strong communication skills
    • Ability to build strong relationships with new people and organizations
    • Familiarity with social media
    • Works well independently and as part of a team
  • Time Commitment:
    • Variable

Fashion and Textile Waste Positions

Fashion and Textile Waste Specialist

Do you scour thrift stores for fashionable used duds? Have you told a friend about the negative effects of fast fashion? Do you research brands to find out whether their clothes are ethically sourced and sewed? Waste Free Edmonton is searching for a dedicated, fashion-focused, environmentally-minded individual to assist WFE in a range of fashion waste initiatives. Fashion waste — whether it is textile production, supply chain inefficiencies, or sending usable clothing to landfill — is an ecologically damaging yet avoidable part of modern life. WFE wants to draw attention and action to this problem, and you could be the person to help nip and snip fashion waste in Edmonton.

  • Responsibilities:
    • Work with other members of Waste Free Edmonton team to develop fashion waste-related events, materials and campaigns. More specifically, this includes:
      • Assisting Public Outreach Manager in planning and running events, workshops or gatherings related to fashion waste
      • Liaise with Waste Free Edmonton’s communications team to develop content for social media, newsletter, etc.
      • Assisting Waste Free Edmonton Board of Directors in developing fashion waste-related campaigns
    • Develop and share expertise on issues of fashion waste in Edmonton
    • Collaborate with external partners on fashion waste-related events and campaigns
  • Preferred Skills:
    • Ability to build positive working relationships with people and organizations
    • Strong time management and organizational skills
    • Project management skills
    • Strong communication skills
    • Ability to work independently and be self-motivated
    • Knowledge of social media best practices for engagement and promotion
    • Knowledge of waste issues, particularly as it pertains to the fashion industry and clothing
    • Experience developing and implementing environmental campaigns an asset
  • Time commitment:
    • 3-10 hours per month

Fundraising Positions

Fundraising Manager 

    • Responsibilities:
      • Develop a fundraising plan for Waste Free Edmonton to identify and acquire new funding sources;
      • Prepare and submit grant proposals;
      • Plan and implement fundraising activities and events;
      • Build relationships with potential sponsors and donors;
      • Oversee work of fundraising team;
      • Report to, and work with, Board of Directors.
    • Preferred Skills:
      • Fundraising experience;
      • Strong written communication skills;
      • Strong organizational skills;
      • Ability to conduct online research;
      • Works well independently and is self-motivated;
      • Ability to build strong relationships with new people and organizations;
      • Creative and inventive thinking. 
    • Time Commitment:
      • 5-10 hours per month.

Communications Positions

Communications Manager

This individual will be involved in the day-to-day communications operations of WFE, assisting our Communications team while being responsive to the needs of other WFE teams. Past campaigns include Last Straw Edmonton, our Holiday Campaign on holiday waste, the #3ForYEG election survey, and our continued efforts to implement a single-use item bylaw in Edmonton.

This position is an opportunity to significantly contribute to Waste Free Edmonton’s effort to reduce the amount of waste produced in Edmonton and gain experience in the non-profit and environmental sectors. All responsibilities are part of the communications portfolio, but can be delegated to other volunteers as needed.

  • Responsibilities:
    • Oversee creating, editing, reviewing, and managing all published content (images, video and written material);  
    • Develop communications plans for long-term, major projects;
    • Use online engagement and surveys to assess trends and opinions of Edmontonians regarding waste;
    • Research best practices and ways to refine WFE’s communications;
    • Interview and supervise communications volunteers and support, review and edit their work
    • Create and manage promotions and social ad campaigns;  
    • Update content editorial calendar to manage content and plan specific, timely marketing campaigns;
    • Update and maintaining website;
    • Coordinate media inquiries;
    • Liaise with WFE’s partners and external stakeholders to develop and post content;
    • Availability to attend events is considered an asset.
  • Preferred Skills:
    • Post-secondary education in Communications or a related discipline; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
    • Able to work independently;
    • Familiarity with Google Suite, Hootsuite, WordPress, Mailchimp, Canva;
    • Strong time management skills;
    • Experience managing a team;
  • Time Commitment: 
    • 10 hours per month

Web Coordinator

A web coordinator helps Waste Free Edmonton develop a polished, professional website that is both appealing and effective in achieving Waste Free Edmonton’s goals.

  • Responsibilities:
    • Maintain and update Waste Free Edmonton’s website;
    • Plan and execute new design and layout options for Waste Free Edmonton’s website that is consistent with the existing brand;
    • Use creative and technical knowledge to develop eye-catching and easily navigable website material;
    • Take direction from the leadership team;
    • Partner with the Communications team to ensure harmony between social media and website.
    • Partner with the Outreach team to maintain an updated, accurate Events page
  • Preferred Skills:
    • Ability to work independently;
    • Web design experience and knowledge
    • Ability to use WordPress
    • Must be detail-oriented and accurate.
  • Time Commitment:
    • 3-5 hours per month.

Newsletter Specialist

Waste Free Edmonton’s Newsletter Specialist focuses on managing, promoting, and executing the publication of WFE’s newsletter. This e-newsletter covers WFE’s recent activity in the community and goals for the near future alongside complementary news and information about waste in Edmonton. They will use their knowledge and interest in waste and community-building to educate Edmontonians, while using their digital marketing skills to spark interest and drive engagement among subscribers.

  • Responsibilities:
    • Collect, organize and edit content to be included in the Waste Free Edmonton’s newsletter
    • Liaise with Waste Free Edmonton’s various teams and content creators to compile content
    • Create value-added promotions to increase opened emails and clickthroughs
    • Increase and maintain subscriber count to newsletter
    • Scan local and international media for relevant news on waste
    • Ensure the newsletter is sent out and promoted on a regular basis
  • Preferred Skills:
    • Moderate to advanced knowledge about environmental issues related to waste
    • Knowledge of Mailchimp, Google Suite
    • Proficiency with the English language
    • Familiarity with e-newsletter best practices
  • Time commitment:
    • 2-4 hours per month.

Board Positions

General Board Member

  • Responsibilities:
    • Carries out the responsibilities of a member of the Board.
    • Attend Board meetings (minimum of four/year);
    • Participate in decision-making relating to Waste Free Edmonton operations, including governance, finances and campaigns/programs;
    • Be familiar with Waste Free Edmonton’s mission, vision, objectives, and programs/campaigns;
    • Oversee and direct the work of volunteers.
  • Preferred Skills:
    • Understanding of non-profit sector and board governance;
    • A passion for waste reduction and the Society’s mission;
    • Leadership skills;
    • Networking and interpersonal skills;
    • Hard working and self-motivated.
  • Time Commitment:
    • 2-3 hours per month
  • Term: 2 years

Administrative Positions

Volunteer Coordinator

    • Responsibilities:
      • Coordinate with team leads to supervise and manage volunteers
      • Keep up to-date list of volunteers and update website with changes to volunteer status
      • Post volunteer openings to websites, social media
      • Attend volunteer fairs with/on behalf of team leads
      • Prepare a volunteer recruitment strategy 
      • Assist team leads with developing and editing volunteer job descriptions
      • Interview and select volunteers in partnership with team leads
      • Develop policies, procedures and welcome package to orientate new volunteers, including accountability mechanisms for volunteer commitments
      • Develop and coordinate volunteer schedules, where necessary
      • Develop strategy to recognize volunteers’ contributions to the organization
      • Evaluate volunteer’s level of satisfaction and seek feedback on ways to improve volunteer systems and experience
      • Identify training needs and opportunities for volunteers
      • Report to, and work with, Board of Directors 
    • Preferred Skills:
      • Ability to build strong relationships with new people;
      • Strong communication skills;
      • Strong organization skills;
      • Ability to work independently and be self-motivated;
      • Project management experience;
      • Experience managing individuals and teams.
    • Time Commitment:
      • 3-5 hours per month

Business Relations Positions

Business Relations Manager

  • Responsibilities:
    • Build relationships with Edmonton and area businesses;
    • Build relationships with business associations and organizations (e.g. Edmonton Chamber of Commerce); 
    • Assist Waste Free Edmonton in developing a Waste Reduction Strategy for businesses;
    • Educate businesses and business associations/organizations about waste reduction options;
    • Oversee and direct the work of business liaison volunteers in reaching out to businesses with specific waste reduction requests (e.g. go straw-free, charge for take-out containers).
  • Preferred Skills:
    • Ability to build strong relationships with new people and organizations;
    • Strong communication skills;
    • Ability to work independently and be self-motivated;
    • Business Acumen.
  • Time Commitment: 
    • 5-10 hours per month

If you have any questions, would like to apply for one of the above positions, or would like to be added to our mailing list with future volunteer opportunities, please email or complete the form below, and add info@wastefree.ca to your contacts to ensure that you receive our reply. Thank you!