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:

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

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

Business Liaison

  • Responsibilities:
    • Build relationships with Edmonton and area businesses;
    • Build relationships with business associations and organizations (e.g. Edmonton Chamber of Commerce);
    • Educate businesses and business associations/organizations about waste reduction options;
    • Direction and support will be provided by the Manager of Business Relations.
  • 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: 
    • 2-5 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.

Fundraising Assistant

  • Responsibilities:
      • Assist Fundraising Manager in implementing Waste Free Edmonton’s fundraising plan
      • Assist Fundraising Manager in identifying and acquiring new funding sources;
      • Prepare and submit grant proposals;
      • Plan and implement fundraising activities and events;
      • Build relationships with potential sponsors and donors;
      • Report to Fundraising Manager.
  • 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:
      • 2-3 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

Content Creator

Content Creators work to develop engaging, meaningful content for Waste Free Edmonton’s social media followers. They have an active interest in issues of waste, and an eagerness to communicate these issues to Edmontonians. They might write a post on a new waste free tip they’ve just learned, photograph positive or negative examples of waste in Edmonton for Instagram, save and summarize relevant news articles on waste to share, or recap an environmental event they attended for multiple platforms. This is a remote, home-based position.

  • Responsibilities:
    • Work with Communications team to develop themes for social media content
    • Develop content to be included on the Waste Free Edmonton website, newsletter, and social media
    • Work with leadership team to ensure content is consistent with Waste Free Edmonton’s mission and objectives
  • Preferred Skills:
    • Ability to work independently and be a self-starter
    • Moderate to advanced knowledge about environmental issues related to waste
    • Proficiency with the English language
    • Advanced knowledge of Google Suite
    • Familiarity with Slack, Canva
    • Detail-oriented and accurate
  • Time Commitment: 
    • Monthly minimums as agreed upon with Communications Manager

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


Treasurer

  • Responsibilities:
    • Carries out the responsibilities of a member of the Board.
    • Reviews and monitors the financial viability of Waste Free Edmonton.
    • Ensures development and Board review of financial policies and procedures.
    • Ensures appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
    • Presents Waste Free Edmonton’s finances at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
    • Assists in the development of the annual budget and presents the budget to the Board for approval.
    • Oversees the annual audit and ensures subsequent recommendations are implemented.
    • Acts as one of the signing officers for cheques and other documents, such as contracts and grant applications.
    • Gives regular reports to the Board on the financial state of the organization.
    • Keeps financial reports on file.
    • Keeps accurate accounts of Board receipts and disbursements for Board-related expenditures.
    • Regularly reviews all financial transactions to ensure financial integrity of the organization.
    • Attend Board meetings (minimum of four/year);
    • Participate in decision-making relating to Waste Free Edmonton operations, including governance, finances and campaigns/programs;
    • Oversee the financial and organizational integrity of Waste Free Edmonton;
    • Be familiar with Waste Free Edmonton’s mission, vision, objectives, and programs/campaigns;
    • Oversee and direct the work of volunteers.
  • Preferred Skills:
    • Accountant/financial background;
    • 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

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!