Program and Communications Coordinator (Part-Time)

Second Chances puts donated clothing to work for our community, diverting clothing, shoes, and accessories from local landfills while helping our neighbors in need take their first steps toward brighter futures.

Since 2005, Second Chances has delivered clothing, pairs of shoes, accessories, and blankets to more than 4,500 homeless and lower-income people in Cambridge and Somerville, working with the area’s local shelter and service providers. We’re also making a major impact in textile recycling and reuse, diverting more than 2,400,000 pounds of textiles from area landfills over 17 years.

Second Chances has grown slowly and steadily and we’re continuing to build our team to reach more people in need in our community. The Program and Communications Coordinator, currently a part-time position, has the potential for growth in both hours and responsibility or could be a long-term part-time position, depending on the candidate’s preferences and the organization’s ongoing needs.

Working at a small organization with a small team provides some unique opportunities for the Program and Communications Coordinator. The person in this position will have exposure to and input into many aspects of nonprofit management, service delivery, and policy development – with nearly limitless opportunities for learning, growth, and advancement.

The Program and Communications Coordinator will support Second Chances’ clothing donation program in a variety of ways. 

●      Coordinate with Program Manager to deliver high-quality, free, used and new clothing to homeless and low-income clients;

●      Process clothing donation requests, select clothing for clients, and deliver clothing to shelters and service providers;

●      Organize logistics for clothing drives with local businesses and organizations, including scheduling, and providing marketing materials and support; 

●      Track and maintain data for fundraising, marketing, and clothing donation program;

●      Provide administrative support for fundraising, marketing, and clothing donation program;

●      Manage in-kind donation inventory;

●      And provide additional program support as needed.

●      Generate and coordinate consistent social media communication in collaboration with an outside contractor;

●      Support social media contractor with photographs, research, and content ideas;

●      Create copy for Second Chances e-newsletters, community report, website, media releases, and other communications;

●      Provide additional communications support as needed.

●      Coordinate event logistics and event-related communications for fundraising, clothing drives, and community-building events.

Key personal characteristics: Works well independently, is trustworthy, flexible, self-directed, and dependable.

Professional skills: Excellent customer service skills, attention to detail, and written and oral communication skills. Relationship-builder, creative problem-solver, organized. Competence with Microsoft Office programs, Google Business Apps, and a Windows operating system. Experience with HTML and Adobe Creative Suite or similar web and graphic design software a plus.

Experience with homeless and low-income clients and constituents and/or working in a small organization appreciated.

Must have own transportation (car or bike) that is available for occasional work use (mileage and parking allowance available); must be able to climb at least three flights of stairs and regularly carry 30-40 pounds of clothing. A satisfactory background and driver’s record check will be a condition of employment.

Expected pay range is $20 to $22 per hour, commensurate with experience. This is a part-time, non-exempt position reporting to both the CEO and Program Manager. We anticipate hiring someone for 15 to 20 hours per week, and approximately 60% of work must be conducted Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and there is some flexibility on when the other 40% could occur. Our primary work space is in Union Square, Somerville, secondary work space is near Kendall Square, Cambridge, and the candidate could do some work remotely, depending on the week and workflow.

Please send a resume and cover letter highlighting the unique value(s) that you would bring to this position to hiring@secondchances.org or Second Chances, P.O. Box 441328, Somerville, MA 02144-1328. No phone calls, please.