SLS: Social Services & Volunteer Program Assistant with William Temple House (2026-27 school year)

William Temple House's mission is to provide food, counseling, clothing, and household items to Portland-area neighbors to strengthen our community.

This position is one of the options for Portland State's Student Leaders for Service program. Please apply to the Student Leaders for Service program to express interest in this opportunity. To access the application to apply for SLS for the the 2026-27 school year, please visit https://pdx.givepulse.com/event/864961

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Looking for an opportunity to get both direct-service and behind-the-scenes nonprofit experience? William Temple House has the role for you, just a streetcar's ride from the PSU campus!

William Temple House serves the Portland Community through its food pantry, resource navigation services, and low-cost counseling services (starting at $1) to support their vision that everyone is fully nourished -- emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Its thrift store also provides low-cost clothing and household goods to the community, while helping fund the organization's core programming.

William Temple House is seeking a Student Leader for Service for its Social Services & Volunteer Program Assistant role, which will serve hands-on in the food pantry, as well as behind-the-scenes in supporting the organization's volunteer program in general.

In the Social Services Assistant role (2.5 hours per week), the SLS member would serve in a variety of roles supporting the food pantry (pantry support, front desk/intake, lobby greeter positions), as well as assist with our Resource Navigation program as needed. This role is a good opportunity for the SLS student to develop client-facing skills, as well as gain knowledge about community resources. 

In the Volunteer Program Assistant role (2.5 hours per week) the SLS member would assist the Director of Volunteers and Outreach with a wide range of Volunteer Administration and Outreach duties, that may include: volunteer recruitment, volunteer interviews, volunteer screening, database management (Volgistics database) and data entry, volunteer scheduling, volunteer recognition and retention - as well as assisting with outreach initiatives (tabling at events, assisting in developing and maintaining community partnerships. 

This role is a good opportunity for the SLS member to learn about all aspects of working with volunteers, and nonprofit outreach.

Modality: This position requires an in-person commitment.

Skills and Knowledge Required:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Able to lift and carry 25+ lbs.
• Able to work on feet. This is a physical job.
• Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with fellow volunteers, staff, and occasionally challenging clients.
• Be able to pass a background check.

Preferred Skills: 

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong administrative and data entry skills, and the desire to learn more about working with volunteers.
• Language skills in Mandarin Chinese, Russian, or Spanish (a large number of our Social Services clients speak these languages).
• Possess strong people skills, and be comfortable with 'tabling' at community events.

Onboarding and Training: William Temple House would provide a initial volunteer orientation (covering general agency-wide info, and also for all Social Services roles), as well as ongoing training as needed, depending on the individual's skillset and background. Prior to starting we will also provide the volunteer handbook, volunteer ethics form, and the Social Services Volunteer Orientation Guide. For the Volunteer Administration and Outreach role, a Volgistics Database training would be provided, and an initial training in working with volunteers, as well as ongoing training as needed.

Benefits of these Positions: Through this role, you would develop a wide range of Social Services skills, client-service skills, community resource knowledge, and would have a direct impact for our clients. You would also receive transferable training in all aspects of volunteer administration, outreach, and learn to use the Volgistics Database.

Supervision: For the Social Services Assistant role, the SLS member would report to the Director of Social Services, Kevin Ryan. For the Volunteer Services Assistant role, the SLS member would report the the Director of Volunteers and Outreach, Cliff Johnson. Training would be provided by Cliff. 

Location & Transportation: William Temple House is located at 2023 NW Hoyt St. Portland, OR 97209. There are two bus stops within 3 blocks of William Temple house, and the street car drops off nearby as well (~20 min ride from campus). It takes about 30 minutes to walk there from campus. We also have secure bike racks on site.

Schedule Available: 2.5 per week is required (either on Tue/Wed/Thur) for the Social Services Assistant role, 10am to 12:15pm, or 12:15pm to 2:45pm. And 2.5 to 3 hours per week for the Volunteer Services Assistant role (Monday or Friday is preferred, but it could be done on any weekday) - any time between 10am-4pm.