Specialist, Resource Events

Job Description

Position: Specialist, Resource Events

Term: Full-time, salary

Pay: Negotiable Based on Experience + health insurance, paid time off, and other benefits

Location: Portland, OR

Reports To: Director of Operations

Direct Reports: None

Updated: September 1, 2026

Organization Description:

Urban Alchemy hires individuals who were once incarcerated and trains them to transform people and places through love and respect. We provide services that heal communities challenged by the intersection of extreme poverty, mental illness, addiction, and homelessness. When individuals are suffering in our public spaces, Urban Alchemy offers solutions. When a neighborhood, street, or intersection earns a reputation as a place to avoid, we turn it around. Urban Alchemy staff, known as Practitioners, create a peaceful and supportive presence, helping our communities rebuild a sense of pride one person at a time. Urban Alchemy is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018. We quickly grew from a small program in San Francisco to a thriving social enterprise with over 1,000 staff. We currently operate in California, Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, New Mexico, and Oregon. Over 95% of Urban Alchemy employees, including leadership, experienced incarceration and/or homelessness. For more information visit our website.

Position Summary:

The Resource Event Specialist acts as a vital bridge between Urban Alchemy’s services and the needs of the Portland community. This role is responsible for the logistics, planning, and on-site coordination of resource-focused events that connect individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, and mental health challenges with essential support. You are not just organizing events; you are creating pathways to stability. You manage the lifecycle of community engagements, ensuring that every event—from resource fairs to community outreach initiatives—is executed with the precision, empathy, and mission-alignment that defines Urban Alchemy. This role requires a blend of project management, community relationship building, and active, field-based execution. You are responsible for identifying community needs, sourcing resources, and showing up in the environments where guests live and gather. You will work closely with Practitioners and Operations staff to ensure that every event is safe, inclusive, and effective.

Position Specific:

• Own the end-to-end planning and execution of resource events: from site scouting and permit acquisition to staffing and tear-down.
• Develop event schedules that optimize access for the target population, considering local rhythms and community needs.
• Coordinate with external partners (e.g., healthcare providers, food banks, housing authorities) to ensure a diverse and impactful array of resources is present at each event.
• Ensure all event sites are compliant with safety standards and Urban Alchemy’s operational policies.
• Build and maintain authentic, trusting relationships with local community organizations, city partners, and business stakeholders.
• Act as an ambassador for Urban Alchemy at public meetings, community events, and resource forums.
• Identify recurring resource gaps in the community and propose events or partnership strategies to address them.
• Maintain a current database of available community resources and service providers to facilitate real-time referrals during events.
• Provide on-site leadership during events, managing the flow of guests, staff, and service providers to ensure a smooth and safe environment.
• Monitor guest safety and behavioral health, providing support or de-escalation as needed in alignment with our trauma-informed care model.
• Coordinate with operations leadership to ensure Practitioner presence is appropriately utilized for safety and community support during events.
• Ensure all data collection, participant counts, and impact reporting are completed accurately at the close of every event.
• Track event outcomes (e.g., number of guests served, resources distributed) and provide actionable insights to leadership to improve future engagement.
• Ensure all activities align with contract, grant, and regulatory requirements specific to the Portland region.
• Maintain meticulous records of event plans, partner agreements, and incident reports.

General:

• Use emotional intelligence to effectively engage and connect with others
• Attend orientation and any additional training required by Urban Alchemy or our funders
• Follow all Urban Alchemy’s policies and procedures
• Perform other duties as assigned by direct supervisor

Position Requirements:

Position Specific:

• Experience: 3+ years of experience in event coordination, community organizing, or social services, preferably in a nonprofit or social enterprise environment.
• Knowledge: Working knowledge of Portland-based social services, housing resources, and community navigation tools.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Google Workspace; ability to manage project timelines, budgets, and reporting requirements.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to interact compassionately with diverse populations and professionally with high-level stakeholders.
• Active Presence: You go where the work is. You are comfortable in the field and prioritize in-person connection over desk-based administration.
• Emotional Resilience: You remain grounded and professional while working in environments involving high stress, mental health crises, and homelessness.
• Operational Discipline: You follow playbooks and protocols without cutting corners, understanding that safety and compliance protect the mission.
• Commitment to Mission: You bring empathy, respect, and integrity to every interaction, ensuring our guests feel valued and supported.
• Experience in the nonprofit sector and deep familiarity with shelter services, community-based public safety, or social services models.
• Lived experience with homelessness or incarceration.

General:

• You have genuine and demonstrated interest in Urban Alchemy’s mission, values, and model
• You like to be a team player
• You like working in a dynamic environment and can adapt easily to change
• Must be able to work compassionately and respectfully with people from all backgrounds
• Must be prepared to deal with challenging circumstances related to serving people struggling with poverty, mental health, addiction, and/or homelessness
• Must be able to obtain and maintain background clearance based on Urban Alchemy’s policies
• Lived experience with incarceration and/or homelessness is valued

Physical Requirements:

• Standing: 4-7 hours 
• Walking: 4-7 hours 
• Sitting: less than 2 hours 
• Bending at Waist: less than 3 hours 
• Lifting: Up to 25 lbs occasionally 
• Able to assist guests with mobility needs

Statement of non-discrimination:

Urban Alchemy shares a special bond with society’s most vulnerable because we see ourselves in their struggle. When doing our work, we recognize the humanity in those who are struggling and treat them how we once wished others had treated us. People who have been incarcerated, experienced homelessness and/or come from marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply because we believe they have unique skills and abilities to engage with people who are struggling. Urban Alchemy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Urban Alchemy prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.

How to Apply:

If you have questions, please email [email protected] and indicate the position you are interested in. You can apply for this position by visiting: https://www.paycomonline.net.