Program Coordinator

Our mission is simple: we bring communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. 

For over 50 years SOLVE has been bringing people together to clean our beaches, parks, neighborhoods and natural spaces. With an unstoppable force of thirty thousand volunteers, we are protecting and restoring Oregon’s unique places. Our core strengths of engaging and educating volunteers serve as the foundation of our action – to preserve the quality of life we enjoy in Oregon. 

AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEL: SOLVE is seeking a dynamic and mission-driven Program Coordinator to join our team. The Program Coordinator plays a key role in supporting SOLVE’s volunteer programs, community partnerships, and event operations. This position combines volunteer engagement and relationship management, leadership of staff-led cleanup and restoration projects, and coordination of supplies and logistics that ensure successful project implementation. The Program Coordinator supports volunteer recruitment, community outreach, and operational functions that strengthen SOLVE’s ability to deliver impactful stewardship opportunities. 

TITLE: Program Coordinator 
REPORTS TO: Program Manager 
BENEFITS: Comprehensive benefits package, including 401k with employer match, 100% employer-paid medical, vision, and dental coverage, with an option for dependents, 2 Employee Assistant Programs, Medical Flex Spending Account, long-term disability, 3 weeks starting vacation and 2 weeks sick time, paid volunteer time, 5 days off for Wellness Week, and 14 additional paid holidays. 
COMMITMENT: Full-time/Exempt. Flexible schedule. Some nights/weekends as needed. Office location is downtown Portland, Oregon. 
STARTING SALARY: $50,083.33 to $62,900 
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis until September 14, 2026. Priority consideration for applications received by September 8, 2026. 
 
 
Essential Functions 
 
Supplies & Project Logistics (35%)  
Coordinate the systems and logistics that ensure projects are well-equipped and accessible. 

• Support supply ordering, shipping, and local pickup. 
• Ensure supplies are delivered to volunteer leaders in a timely and coordinated manner to support successful project implementation.
• Assist with packing, organizing, tracking, and distributing event supplies, and DIY Cleanup Kits.
• Coordinate laundry service pickups and returns, including unpacking and restocking.
• Maintain organized storage areas and accurate supply tracking.
• Support supply needs for staff-led, partner, and contract-based projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations and hub adoptees to expand storage capacity and improve logistical efficiency.  
• Ensure SOLVE’s Portland tool library and statewide satellite supply hubs are well-organized, fully stocked, and operating efficiently. 
• Oversee procurement and purchasing necessary supplies, tools, and materials to maintain readiness for events across the region. 
• Other duties as directed. 

Zone Leader (30%)  

• Support new and existing volunteers with navigating SOLVE’s resources, online platform and programmatic offerings via phone, email, video conferencing, and in-person meetings. 
• Stay informed of community needs, emerging opportunities, and potential collaborations that align with SOLVE’s mission.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with current leaders to support their continued engagement, while proactively building new partnerships that expand SOLVE’s reach and impact.
• Support volunteers as needed with individual and team registration inquiries.
• Conduct New Leader Orientations as assigned. 
• Recruit leaders to participate in annual and special events.   
• Secure permits for events taking place on public property.   
• Support with securing in-kind disposal or establishing a disposal plan as needed. 
• Ensure leaders submit supply orders and receive supplies.   
• Ensure leaders are trained on safety and other responsibilities leading up to, during, and following their event.   
• Review and approve event registration pages ensuring descriptions are accurate, marketable to volunteers, and do not conflict with existing events.   
• Other duties as directed. 

 
Event Leadership & Planning (25%) 
Lead a defined set of staff-led litter cleanup and/or hybrid restoration projects throughout the year (approximately up to 3 projects per month, adjusted seasonally).

•  Lead assigned cleanup and restoration events from planning through execution. 
  Scout event sites, noting key safety and logistical needs.
• Coordinate with community partners, parks departments, Metro, and other land managers.
• Create and post event registration pages on SOLVE’s website.
• Serve as the day-of point of contact for partners, volunteers, and service providers.
• Recruit, guide, and support volunteers, prioritizing safety and clear communication.
• Provide safety briefings and train volunteers on tool use and project expectations. 
  Capture photos, videos, and basic event documentation.
• Pack, organize, and track supplies for staff-led events, including loading and unloading supplies into SOLVE vehicles. 

 
Outreach & Volunteer Recruitment (5%) 
Support volunteer recruitment for upcoming SOLVE events. 

• Conduct volunteer outreach and recruitment activities to support event participation goals.
• Promote volunteer opportunities through online communities, social media groups, and other outreach channels.
• Steward relationships with volunteers and community groups to encourage ongoing engagement.
• Attend tabling, networking engagements, and conduct presentations for prospective volunteer groups as assigned. 

Operations & Administrative Support (5%) 
Provide focused administrative and operational support outside of direct program delivery. 

• Support bi-weekly check processing in coordination with the Development team.
• Schedule routine vehicle maintenance, coordinate repairs, and support vehicle transitions, including preparing vehicles for sale or onboarding new vehicles with branding, safety supplies, and equipment.

Supervisory Responsibility 
This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.  
    
Required Qualifications 

• Experience: Prior experience in volunteer coordination, community outreach, or event support is helpful but not required. We welcome candidates with an interest in community engagement, environmental work, and event support.
• Software: Microsoft 365 suite.
• First Aid: Current certification or willingness to obtain one.
• Drivers’ License: Valid drivers’ License and acceptable driving record. 
   

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience: Has engaged with diverse communities and fostered inclusive participation in events or community programs.
• Language: Bilingual, with the ability to speak and write fluently in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in Oregon communities. 

 
Competencies 

• Communication: Ability to convey information clearly, listen actively, and tailor communication based on the audience and situation.
• Teamwork: Collaboration with others to achieve common goals, understanding team dynamics, and contributing effectively within a group.
• Adaptability: Willingness and ability to adapt to new circumstances, learn from change, and work effectively in various situations, embracing continuous learning and improvement.
• Time Management: Efficiently managing your time, prioritizing tasks, and meeting deadlines to optimize productivity and performance.
• Leadership: Guiding, motivating, and influencing others to achieve shared objectives, even without a formal managerial role.
• Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing your own emotions and recognizing and empathizing with others’ emotions to build better relationships.
• Attention to Detail: Thoroughness and accuracy in tasks, ensuring quality and precision in your work.
• Customer Service: Attending to constituent’s needs and concerns effectively, providing exceptional service, and maintaining a positive experience.
• Partnership Building: Building and maintaining relationships with professionals in your field, fostering opportunities for collaboration and growth.
• Decision Making: Making informed and timely decisions, considering available information, and weighing potential outcomes.
• Mission Focus: Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s mission and values.
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice: Demonstrated in-depth awareness and understanding of one’s own cultural background and privilege, how it influences perceptions, values, and practices, and engages in the way they shape their relationship with volunteers, community members, and co-workers.
• Flexibility: Flexible schedule for occasional evening and weekend work. 

 
Physical Requirements 
The following physical requirements are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  
 
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

• Standing/Walking: Occasional standing and walking within the office premises, attending meetings, or accessing different areas of the workplace, with extended periods of standing and walking, often on uneven or varying terrain outdoors.
• Sitting/Standing at a Workstation: Sitting or standing at a workstation for extended periods during the workday.
• Lifting/Carrying: Must be able to lift and carry equipment, materials, or tools weighing up to 30 pounds over various distances and heights.
• Reaching: Frequent reaching to access equipment, materials, or tools stored in vehicles or at field sites.
• Dexterity: Must be able to manipulate keyboards, office and field equipment, tools, and materials precisely and safely.
• Visual Ability: Required to have sufficient visual acuity to operate a computer terminal, read written materials, communicate with others, and spot stationary and moving objects at a distance of 15 feet. 
• Auditory Ability: Must be able to hear and communicate effectively in noisy or outdoor environments. Possess the ability to maintain focus and memory in environments with distractions such as heavy foot traffic, background noise due to public conversations, and the gathering of people, etc.
• Olfactory Ability: Must be able to tolerate strong odors from various sources during outdoor projects.
• Tolerance of Weather Conditions: Ability to work in various weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and exposure to sunlight.
• Flexibility and Agility: Ability to adapt to changing schedules, priorities, and job requirements in a dynamic fieldwork environment.
• Focus/Memory: Ability to maintain focus and memory in environments with distractions such as heavy foot traffic, background noise due to public conversations and the gathering of people, etc.

Driving: Be able to operate a vehicle for extended periods. 
 
  
Hiring Timeline 
We want applicants to be aware of our process and timeline in advance (dates subject to change). 

• Applications reviewed: Rolling basis beginning immediately
• Phone interviews: Early September
• Panel interviews: September 21-27
• Final interviews: September 28 – October 3
• Target start date: October 19  

Apply  
Please submit a PDF or Word attachment to [email protected] of your resumé and cover letter. Priority will be given to applications received by September 8, 2025. Final application deadline: September 14.  
 
SOLVE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to expanding the diversity of our team. Women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA(+) community are strongly encouraged to apply.