Helper Sustainability Communication Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Founded in Santa Clara County in 1928, Goodwill of Silicon is dedicated to improving employment opportunities, increasing standards of living, providing economic independence, and restoring our clients’ sense of self-worth. We achieve this through workforce creation, vocational training, and environmental stewardship. With various retail stores, an online store, an extensive reuse/recycling operation, and our Contract Services division, we help individuals overcome barriers to employment, build sustainable lives and communities. 

Goodwill of Silicon Valley is seeking a mission-driven Part-Time Sustainability Support professional to advance the organization’s leadership in textile reuse, waste diversion, and community education. This role will support compliance with California legislation, including SB 707, as it relates to Goodwill’s donated clothing programs; build relationships with local municipalities and sustainability partners; and strengthen Goodwill’s donation-bin and community donation-drive initiatives. The ideal candidate is a confident communicator, relationship builder, and organized project coordinator who is passionate about circular-economy solutions, nonprofit collaboration, and Goodwill’s zero-waste mission. 

Job Responsibilities 

California Legislative & Program Support 

• Monitor and support Goodwill’s implementation of California SB 707 requirements as they relate to donated clothing, textile stewardship, reuse, recycling, and reporting.  

• Track relevant state and local sustainability policies, ordinances, and emerging regulations affecting donation collection, textile recovery, and donation bins.  

• Coordinate with internal leaders and external partners to document compliance activities, program outcomes, and opportunities for improvement. 

• Help translate legislative and regulatory requirements into practical guidance for Goodwill donation and retail operations. 

Sustainability Advocacy & Public Engagement 

• Serve as a knowledgeable spokesperson for Goodwill of Silicon Valley’s sustainability model, donated-goods mission, circular-economy impact, and zero-waste initiatives. 

• Represent Goodwill at community meetings, sustainability forums, city workshops, nonprofit events, schools, colleges, and other public-facing opportunities. 

• Develop presentations, talking points, outreach materials, and educational content that explain the environmental and community value of donating, reusing, and responsibly recycling textiles. 

• Promote Goodwill’s role in keeping usable goods out of landfills while creating jobs, funding workforce services, and strengthening local communities. 

Municipal & Community Partnerships 

• Develop and maintain relationships with local cities, county agencies, sustainability offices, waste-management entities, and community organizations. 

• Identify opportunities for Goodwill to participate in municipal zero-waste, reuse, recycling, and textile-diversion initiatives. 

• Support collaboration with local government stakeholders on donation bin permitting, placement, compliance, and enforcement matters. 

• Build partnerships with nonprofits, colleges, universities, K–12 schools, and community groups to create donation drives and sustainability education programs. 

Donation Bin Initiative 

• Support Goodwill’s donation-bin strategy by identifying, tracking, and helping address unpermitted or unauthorized donation bins in the community. 

• Coordinate efforts to secure and maintain permits for Goodwill donation bins in accordance with local city requirements. 

• Maintain organized records of bin locations, permits, renewal deadlines, community concerns, and related municipal communications. 

• Work with internal operations, facilities, legal, and external vendors as needed to improve bin compliance, visibility, maintenance, and community trust. 

Donation Drives & Educational Programs 

• Develop and coordinate donation-drive opportunities with schools, colleges, nonprofits, employers, and civic organizations. 

• Support event logistics, outreach, promotional communications, collection goals, and post-event impact reporting. 

• Deliver or coordinate speaking engagements that educate the community about sustainable donation practices, textile waste, reuse, and Goodwill’s mission impact. 

• Identify new audiences and partnership opportunities that increase donated-goods collection while advancing environmental awareness. 

Responsibilities may be changed at any time at the management's discretion, formally or informally, orally or in writing. 

Required Qualifications 

• Strong public speaking, presentation, written communication, and relationship building skills. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, maintain detailed records, and follow through on deadlines. 

• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across internal teams and external partners.  

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and willingness to use data-tracking tools for permits, outreach, events, and program outcome 

• Valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel locally for meetings, bin-site visits, and events. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in sustainability, environmental studies, public policy, communications, nonprofit management, business, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.  

• Experience in sustainability, recycling, waste diversion, public policy, nonprofit partnerships, community engagement, or municipal relations preferred.  

• Familiarity with California environmental legislation and local government permitting processes is highly desirable.  

• Knowledge of textile reuse, circular economy, donation collection, extended producer responsibility, or zero-waste programs is a plus. 

Working Conditions 

• Works in an office environment. 

• Works a standard workweek with occasional evenings and/or weekends. 

• Travel between locations is required. 

Physical Requirements 

• Move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing less than or equal to 25 pounds without assistance.