Volunteer

Be Part Of What Makes Us Amazing

Join Our Team Of Dynamic Volunteers

Reducing E-Waste One Computer At A Time

Volunteering with ERA is a great way to fulfill your community service goals while gaining excellent computer experience. In addition to learning and assisting with ERA’s processes and electronic recycling initiatives, volunteers will earn a computer once they have completed their volunteer hours. Must be at least 16 years old – check out our opportunities below and get in touch to get started learning about tech and giving back!

Our volunteer Computer Technicians will gain hands-on experience with computer refurbishment. You don’t need a background in computers – in fact this would be a great place to start! All you need are a pair of steel toed boots, to be over the age of 16, and a great attitude!

Duties may include:

  • Sorting of cables (VGA & DVI, power cords, AC adapters, KVM cables)
  • Sorting of hard disk drives (IDE/SCSI/SATA by rough size)
  • Removal of decals (utilizing heat guns)
  • Monitoring Testing
  • Assist in the unloading of shipments
  • Sorting of laptop bags
  • Sorting of RAM
  • Strip non-operational or incomplete machines for reusable parts (RAM, HDDs, power supplies, CPUs, motherboards etc.)
  • Tidying warehouse workstations
  • Cleaning equipment

ERA’s hours of operation are Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm, and Saturday from 10am to 3pm. This position is available any time within these hours, with a minimum 4 hour time commitment. To earn a laptop or desktop computer, 24 hours of volunteer work must be completed. Upon completion of 24 hours, volunteers will receive a certificate of appreciation and a refurbished computer. To become a volunteer Computer Technician, please come to ERA’s location with steel toed boots and we’ll get you up and running.

We are currently recruiting Awareness Ambassadors (AAs), who will go out into the community and speak with their neighbours about the benefits of working with ERA for their reuse and recycling needs.

There is a 12 hour minimum time commitment, which will be broken into shifts based on the volunteer’s schedule and availability. Shifts will be a minimum of 2 hours and a maximum of 6 hours each. Weekend and evening AAs will be assigned residential routes, weekday AAs will be assigned business routes. Once 12 hours have been completed, the volunteer will receive their choice of refurbished laptop or desktop computer (including associated peripherals – monitor, keyboard and mouse). The volunteer will also receive a volunteer certificate of recognition and a signed reference letter from our Volunteer Manager. All volunteers will be required to attend an orientation session prior to beginning their volunteer hours.

Territory will be assigned in advance, along with a form outlining each individual home on the route. Volunteers will be provided with a one page flyer to pass on to residents with whom they speak. Volunteers are responsible for transportation to and from their assigned territory. Volunteers must be dressed in business casual attire with an ERA volunteer t-shirt (which will be provided at no cost by ERA). Comfortable shoes are recommended (running shoes etc.)

Volunteers will be provided with a script and FAQ sheet to help them communicate the ERA’s purpose. Volunteers will be provided with an on-call ERA employee’s phone number in the event questions come up that the volunteer is unable to answer.

Territory will be assigned in advance, along with a form outlining each individual business on the route. Volunteer must get the name and initial of an employee at each business they visit. Volunteer will be provided with a one page flyer to pass on to businesses. Volunteers are asked to avoid visiting businesses with signs requesting no solicitation. Volunteers are responsible for transportation to and from their assigned territory. Volunteers must be dressed in business casual attire with an ERA volunteer t-shirt (which will be provided at no cost by ERA). Comfortable shoes are recommended (running shoes etc.) Volunteers will be provided with a script and FAQ sheet to help them communicate the ERA’s purpose. Volunteers will be provided with an on-call ERA employee’s phone number in the event questions come up that the volunteer is unable to answer. Required Skills and Experience

  • Fluent in English
  • Good verbal communication skills
  • Outgoing, positive personality and friendly demeanour; ability to approach new people with confidence
  • Presentable appearance
  • Comfortable walking door to door and standing for extended periods of time
  • Minimum age requirement of 16, volunteers under the age of 18 must obtain signed parental or legal guardian consent form to participate
  • Previous volunteer experience with the public will be considered an asset
  • Passion for the environment and giving back to the community!

Our volunteer Office Administrators will gain hands-on experience with office administration. You don’t need a background in admin – in fact this would be a great place to start! You’ll work with our office staff and help with daily administration.

Duties may include:

  • Filing
  • Reporting in an excel spreadsheet
  • Assisting with mailouts
  • Contacting clients for pickups
  • Data entry
  • Miscellaneous admin duties

ERA’s hours of operation are Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm, and Saturday from 10am to 3pm. This position is available any time within these hours, with a minimum 4 hour time commitment. To earn a laptop or desktop computer, 24 hours of volunteer work must be completed. Upon completion of 24 hours, volunteer will receive a certificate of appreciation and a refurbished computer. To become a volunteer Office Administrator, please contact Chantelle Coddington at [email protected] or at 403.262.4488.