Volunteer with ERA: Dynamic Tech Volunteer Opportunities Across Canada

Our volunteer Computer Technicians will gain hands-on work experience with computer refurbishment and hardware diagnostic projects. You don’t need a background in computers — in fact, these specific volunteer roles are a great place to start building your technical skills! All you need are a pair of steel-toed boots 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 jumpstart their learning projects. To become a volunteer Computer Technician and secure your placement on our refurbishing platform, please click here to secure your volunteer position.

*Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Individuals aged 16–17 are welcome to participate but must be accompanied by a legal guardian at all times during volunteer activities.

We are currently recruiting Awareness Ambassadors (AAs) to fill our open volunteer roles, where individuals go out into the community and speak with their neighbours about the benefits of working with our organization for their reuse and recycling needs — expanding our support reach to area nonprofits.

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 to enhance their future career prospects. 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.

• 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 is an exceptional pathway to explore new career horizons and develop core administrative skills! 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.