Summary of Position: The Reuse Bend Coordinator (RBC) supports the Rethink Waste Project (RWP), a core program of The Environmental Center (TEC). RWP envisions a community that understands the upstream and downstream impacts of using Earth's resources and makes responsible decisions about the consumption, use, and disposal of materials. Our goal is to help lead Deschutes County (and Central Oregon) in developing a sustainable relationship with materials, by preventing waste where possible, and recovering as much as possible of what’s left. The Rethink Waste Project received a two-year grant from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Materials Management Program to implement Reuse Bend – an initiative to switch Bend and Central Oregon’s food service sector from single-use serviceware to reusables. The RBC will support this project by conducting outreach to restaurants, food carts, and food service businesses (“eateries”), enlisting suitable eateries in the reusable container program, supporting marketing and communications activities, and handling administrative tasks.

Type of Position: This is a part-time, non-exempt position, approximately 16 hours per week. Some evening and weekend work may be required for outreach to specific businesses.

Current funding for this position is available through March 2027. Additional funding to expand the scope and impact of the project as early as July 2025 is under consideration. Contingent upon funding, there may be an opportunity to increase hours for this position in the future. Ideally, the candidate would be open to additional hours.

Expected start date: Mid-end April 2025