Get Involved

Active participation is at the heart of our Co-op.

Members can get involved by joining our Shop Ops Volunteers – sharing 2 hours of their time a month exchange for big discounts off their shopping, helping make shopping ethically that little bit more affordable.

10% discount available

2 hours per month

Join a great team

What is a Shop Ops Volunteer.

In line with the co-operative principles of self-help and collective action, members can share their time with us as volunteers in the shop, and in return get access to discounts off their shopping.

These are the key facts about joining the Shop Ops Volunteers.

Volunteer roles at the Co-op

Member participation is the lifeblood of our Co-op. With the support of a dedicated staff team, our members participate in the running of our co-operative in roles ranging from shop operations to outreach and communications. Our members also share their skills and experience through short pro bono projects, providing dedicated time over a short period of time to deliver specific project to the Co-op.

Find our more about volunteer opportunities below and consider joining one of our Volunteer Circles.

Volunteer Circles

Shop Ops Circle

Our shop volunteers are essential to the day to day operation of our Co-op!

Our Shop volunteers keep our shelves stocked, operate tills, check off consignments, keep the shop tidy, keep our zero waste area stocked up and set up our fruit and veg area.

While having existing skills is a bonus, you will be provided with manual handling training and on shift training for all the tasks you will encounter on shift.

Welcome Circle

Our Welcome Circle organise everything from talks and events, to member onboarding and campaigning.

Volunteers work on campaigns to share information about benefits of our co-operative with members and the wider community. 

They take part in door to door campaigns and operate stalls outside the Co-op and at different events around Dublin.

They can help new members with onboarding, and signpost members on how to get more involved at the Co-op.

Communications Circle

Our communications volunteers are a vital part of getting the message out about the unique benefits of the Co-op.

They are active in the planning and running of our social media, generating content for our website and blog, and taking photographs for use in both. 

The Communications Circle is currently seeking volunteers with existing skills in communications, digital marketing, PR, social media and photography.

Vacancies and Opportunities

Staffing Vacancies

Last updated 24th August 2022

We do not currently have any staffing vacancies at present. If you would like to be added to a mailing list for future opportunities, please add your details on this form.

Volunteering Vacanies

Last updated 24th August 2022

We are currently looking to fill the following volunteering vacancies.

Volunteering is for a minimum of 2 hours per month, and will entitle a member to the current volunteer discount of 15% (up to 25% with increased volunteered).

Reporting to: Shift Supervisor (on duty)

Weekly hours: Minimum 2 hours a month

Place of Volunteering: Dublin Food Co-op, Inchicore Road, Dublin

OUR APPROACH

Our Vision: A food system where people collectively control access to affordable, wholesome and sustainably grown food and related products.

Our Purpose: To provide affordable, wholesome and sustainable food and related products to our members and the wider community.

Our values:  Sustainability – Ethics – Solidarity – Accessibility – Openness – Co-operation – Community

ROLE OUTLINE

The role of ‘Shop Operative’ is an exciting opportunity for anyone who wants to combine their passion for healthy, sustainable and ethically sourced food with volunteering in a community-led enterprise. 

You will be the foundation of us continuing to offer the best possible service to our members and will support us operating our co-operative in line with our values and principles.

  • You will be assisting us with the core operations of the Shop while on duty, working alongside our team of Shift Supervisors, Shop Operatives and other Shop Volunteers.
  • You will complete the daily, weekly and monthly assigned to your shifts, and will record the completion of these tasks as required
  • Where appropriately trained, you will operate the tills in accordance with our procedures
  • You will assist with keeping the Shop well stocked at all times – ensuring that our produce is well presented and available for members/customers. 
  • You will assist with maintaining our merchandising and display standards within the Shop
  • You will assist with receiving, processing and storing orders as they arrive at the Shop.
  • You will assist with keeping the Shop clean, tidy and hygiene at all times in line with public health regulation
  • You will work alongside, support and supervise our Shop Volunteers while on duty
  • You will ensure that while on duty we maintain the highest standards of service for our members, and that the Co-op is a welcoming and convivial place to visit.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

All training will be provided prior to working on any of these tasks. If you have prior experience and training, you will be able to move straight to those tasks.

  • Operating tills in accordance with DFC procedures
  • Assisting members with purchases
  • Stocking of fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Stocking shelves
  • Arranging vegetables for display, stocking and storing as required. Please note that this may involve lifting goods up to 25kg
  • Processing orders
  • General Cleaning 
  • Merchandising & display of goods in the shop

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

  • You have experience working in a retail environment.
  • You have experience dealing directly with customers.
  • You have an understanding of organic wholefoods, as well as ecologically acceptable products and activities.
  • You have an understanding of what makes cooperatives different from other forms of enterprise.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • You are proactive and seek solutions to problems
  • You work well as part of a team
  • You want to continually improve how you work
  • You care about the details, but don’t forget the big picture 

LEARNING / EXPERIENCE OUTCOMES

  • Learn to work as part of a horizontal, self-organising team, and have confidence giving and receiving direction
  • Learn how to work well with a diverse group of people from different backgrounds, perspectives and experience levels
  • Learn how to complete a range of tasks in retail co-operative environment
  • Develop a greater understanding about how our food system works

Express your interest here.

Reporting to: Social Media Lead

Monthly hours:  Minimum 2 hours a month

Place of Volunteering: Remote, and Dublin Food Co-op, Inchicore Road, Dublin 

OUR APPROACH

Our Vision: A food system where people collectively control access to affordable, wholesome and sustainably grown food and related products.

Our values:  Sustainability – Ethics – Solidarity – Accessibility – Openness – Co-operation – Community

ROLE OUTLINE

The role of ‘Social Media Volunteer’ is an exciting opportunity to shape how we promote our core activities in line with our values and principles. You will assist with the execution of our communications on social media – from promotion of our ethos, our product offering, and the benefits of members to member events.

 

  • You will work with the Social Media LeadCoordinator to develop content for our social media channels – Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn  
  • You will contribute to the social media content calendar
  • You will write and edit up to 10 social media posts per month 
  • You will schedule and publish up to 10 social media posts per month  
  • You will be reporting to and working with the Social Media LeadCoordinator, and will undertake duties delegated to you, from time to time.
  • You will ensure that while on duty we maintain the highest standards of service for our members, and that the Co-op is presented as a welcoming and convivial place to visit.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Contribute to the development of our social media plans.
  • Generating content on social media platforms
  • Contribute to maintaining up-to-date and accurate information on our social media channels, including product information.
  • Contribute to replying to social media messages and queries

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

  • You have experience in a communications or social media management role
  • You have experience working in a collaborative environment
  • You have experience creating content for Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn
  • You have an understanding of organic wholefoods, as well as ecologically acceptable products and activities.
  • You have an understanding of what makes co-operatives different from other forms of enterprise.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • You are able to prioritise tasks dynamically
  • You are proactive and seek solutions to problems
  • You work well as part of a team
  • You want to continually improve how you work
  • You can remain calm under pressure
  • You’ve got great communication skills
  • You care about the details, but don’t forget the big picture  
  • High level of written English

LEARNING / EXPERIENCE OUTCOMES

  • Learn to work as part of a horizontal team using collaborative online tools
  • Learn how to generate and execute communications and marketing campaigns
  • Learn how to use various communication and marketing tools in a real-world context
  • Develop your communication and content writing skills.

Express your interest here.

Reporting to: Photography Lead

Monthly hours:  Minimum 2 hours a month

Place of Volunteering: Remote, and Dublin Food Co-op, Inchicore Road, Dublin 

OUR APPROACH

Our Vision: A food system where people collectively control access to affordable, wholesome and sustainably grown food and related products.

Our values:  Sustainability – Ethics – Solidarity – Accessibility – Openness – Co-operation – Community

ROLE OUTLINE

The role of ‘Photography Volunteer’ is an exciting opportunity to shape how we promote our core activities in line with our values and principles. You will assist with the sourcing of photos and videos for our communications.

 

  • You will work with the Photography LeadCoordinator to develop photo and video content 
  • You will contribute to the sourcing of content for our social media and website
  • You will generate up to 10 photos/short videos per month 
  • You will be reporting to and working with the Photography Coordinator, and will undertake duties delegated to you, from time to time.
  • You will ensure that while on duty we maintain the highest standards of service for our members, and that the Co-op is presented as a welcoming and convivial place to visit.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Contribute to the development of our communications through sourcing photos and videos
  • Generating photo and video content for social media
  • Contribute to maintaining up-to-date and accurate photos and videos on our communication channels, including product information.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

  • You have experience in photo and video making
  • You have experience working in a collaborative environment
  • You have experience creating photo and video content for online outlets (social media, blogs)
  • You have an understanding of organic wholefoods, as well as ecologically acceptable products and activities.
  • You have an understanding of what makes co-operatives different from other forms of enterprise.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • You are able to prioritise tasks dynamically
  • You are proactive and seek solutions to problems
  • You work well as part of a team
  • You want to continually improve how you work
  • You can remain calm under pressure
  • You’ve got great communication skills
  • You care about the details, but don’t forget the big picture  
  • High level of written English

LEARNING / EXPERIENCE OUTCOMES

  • Learn to work as part of a horizontal team using collaborative online tools
  • Learn how to generate and execute communications and marketing campaigns
  • Learn how to use various communication and marketing tools in a real-world context
  • Develop your communication and content writing skills.

Express your interest here.

Reporting to: Website Lead

 

Monthly hours:  Minimum 2 hours a month

 

Place of Work: Remote, and Dublin Food Co-op, Inchicore Road, Dublin 

 

OUR APPROACH

 

Our Vision: A food system where people collectively control access to affordable, wholesome and sustainably grown food and related products.

 

 

Our values:  Sustainability – Ethics – Solidarity – Accessibility – Openness – Co-operation – Community

 

ROLE OUTLINE

 

The role of ‘Website Content Volunteer’ is an exciting opportunity to shape how we promote our core activities in line with our values and principles. You will assist with the execution of our communications on the website and e-shop – from promotion of our ethos, our product offering, and the benefits of members to member events.

 

  • You will work with the Website Content LeadCoordinator to develop content for our website
  • You will contribute to the blog content calendar
  • You will write and edit up to 1 blog post per month 
  • You will update and review website and webe-shop content   
  • You will be reporting to and working with the Website Content LeadCoordinator, and will undertake duties delegated to you, from time to time.
  • You will ensure that while on duty we maintain the highest standards of service for our members, and that the Co-op is presented as a welcoming and convivial place to visit.

 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

 

  • Contribute to the development and maintenance of our website and webe-shop content
  • Generating content for the blog
  • Contribute to maintaining up-to-date and accurate information on our website and e-shop, including product information.

 

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

 

  • You have experience in a communications or content management role
  • You have experience working in a collaborative environment
  • You have experience creating content for blogs
  • You have an understanding of organic wholefoods, as well as ecologically acceptable products and activities.
  • You have an understanding of what makes co-operatives different from other forms of enterprise.

 

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

 

  • You are able to prioritise tasks dynamically
  • You are proactive and seek solutions to problems
  • You work well as part of a team
  • You want to continually improve how you work
  • You can remain calm under pressure
  • You’ve got great communication skills
  • You care about the details, but don’t forget the big picture  
  • High level of written English

 

 

LEARNING / EXPERIENCE OUTCOMES

 

  • Learn to work as part of a horizontal team using collaborative online tools
  • Learn how to generate and execute communications and marketing campaigns
  • Learn how to use various communication and marketing tools in a real-world context
  • Develop your communication and content writing skills.

Reporting to: Operations Manager(s)

Monthly hours:  6

Place of Volunteering: Remote, and Dublin Food Co-op, Inchicore Road, Dublin

OUR APPROACH

 

Our Vision: A food system where people collectively control access to affordable, wholesome and sustainably grown food and related products.

 

Our values:  Sustainability – Ethics – Solidarity – Accessibility – Openness – Co-operation – Community

 

ROLE OUTLINE

 

The role of ‘Price Check Crew Volunteer Lead’ is an exciting opportunity to shape how we promote our core activities in line with our values and principles. You will assist with the management by co-ordinating the preparation of a monthly price check report in co-operation with the rest of your crew:

 

  • You will work with the Operations Manager(s) and the rest of the Shop Ops Circle to identify the keystone products for the monthly price check review.
  • You will meet with other Leads, staff members and the CB to define monthly targets and objectives
  • You will manage the work of small volunteer groups focusing on collecting prices for a number of predefined establishments, and collating these into a monthly report
  • You will be reporting to and working with the Operations Manager(s)
  • You will ensure that while on duty we maintain the highest standards of service for our members, and that the Co-op is presented as a welcoming and convivial place to visit

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

 

  • Contribute to the development of our price checking plans including the keystone products and the comparison establishments
  • Manage a small group of volunteers, delegating tasks and guiding their work
  • Participate in monthly meetings with the Shop Ops Circle to ensure that your work is widely communicated, and to ensure that you and your crew understand the context across the team
  • Efficiently communicate tasks and duties to the volunteer group you are managing

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

 

  • You have experience in managing a team
  • You have an understanding of organic wholefoods, as well as ecologically acceptable products and activities
  • You have experience working in a collaborative environment
  • You have experience motivating and guiding other volunteers
  • You have an understanding of what makes co-operatives different from other forms of enterprise
  • Any data collection and analysis experience would be an added bonus!

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

 

  • You are able to prioritise tasks dynamically
  • You are proactive and seek solutions to problems
  • You work well as part of a team
  • You want to continually improve how you work
  • You can remain calm under pressure
  • You’ve got great communication skills
  • You care about the details, but don’t forget the big picture  
  • High level of written English
  • Are familiar with the use of collaborative documents including Google Docs and Google Sheets

LEARNING / EXPERIENCE OUTCOMES

 

  • Learn to work as part of a horizontal team
  • Develop your skills working with other volunteers, and co-ordinating their work
  • Develop your data collection and analysis skills

Role Title: Price Check Crew Volunteer

 

Reporting to: Price Check Crew Activity Lead

 

Monthly hours:  3

 

Place of Work: Remote, and Dublin Food Co-op, Inchicore Road, Dublin 

 

OUR APPROACH

 

Our Vision: A food system where people collectively control access to affordable, wholesome and sustainably grown food and related products.

 

Our values:  Sustainability – Ethics – Solidarity – Accessibility – Openness – Co-operation – Community

 

ROLE OUTLINE

 

The role of ‘Price Check Crew Volunteer’ is an exciting opportunity to shape how we promote our core activities in line with our values and principles. You will assist with collection of data used in the preparation of a monthly price check report in co-operation with the rest of your crew:

 

  • You will work with the Volunteer Lead and the rest of the crew to collect prices on a number of predefined products from a number of redefined establishments.
  • You will meet with the rest of your crew in order to plan the months activities, and to feedback on improvements that could be made in future.
  • You will manage the work of small volunteer groups focusing on collecting prices for a number of predefined establishments, and collating these into a monthly report
  • You will be reporting to and working with the Price Check Crew Volunteer Lead
  • You will ensure that while on duty we maintain the highest standards of service for our members, and that the Co-op is presented as a welcoming and convivial place to visit

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

 

  • Contribute to the development of our price checking plans including the keystone products and the comparison establishments
  • Visit a number of establishments (physically or online) and collect current prices for a predefined number of products, and add them to a spreadsheet
  • Join a monthly meeting with the rest of your crew

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

 

  • You have an understanding of organic wholefoods, as well as ecologically acceptable products and activities
  • You have experience working in a collaborative environment
  • You have an understanding of what makes co-operatives different from other forms of enterprise
  • Any data collection and analysis experience would be an added bonus!

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

 

  • You are able to prioritise tasks dynamically
  • You are proactive and seek solutions to problems
  • You work well as part of a team
  • You want to continually improve how you work
  • You can remain calm under pressure
  • You’ve got great communication skills
  • You care about the details, but don’t forget the big picture  
  • High level of written English
  • Are familiar with the use of collaborative documents including Google Docs and Google Sheets

LEARNING / EXPERIENCE OUTCOMES

 

  • Learn to work as part of a horizontal team
  • Learn more about organic wholefoods in an Irish context
  • Develop your data collection and analysis skills

Reporting to: Co-operative Secretary

 

Monthly hours:  4

 

Place of Work: Remote, and Dublin Food Co-op, Inchicore Road, Dublin 

 

OUR APPROACH

 

Our Vision: A food system where people collectively control access to affordable, wholesome and sustainably grown food and related products.

 

Our values:  Sustainability – Ethics – Solidarity – Accessibility – Openness – Co-operation – Community

 

ROLE OUTLINE

 

The role of ‘Circle’ is an exciting opportunity to support our volunteers across a number of different domains  in line with our values and principles. We are looking to recruit at least three Circle Secretaries to support the three primary Circles – Shop Operations, Communications and Welcome Circles.

 

  • You will work with a Circle Co-ordinator to plan regular Circle Meetings
  • You will contribute to the agenda of the meetings as appropriate
  • You will attend Circle meetings and prepare brief notes of the activities at the meeting
  • You will circle the notes to the whole Circle and will make amendments as requested by the Circle
  • You will be reporting to and working with the Co-operative Secretary, and will attend occasional all Circle Secretary meetings to share best practice and get support
  • You will ensure that while on duty we maintain the highest standards of service for our members, and that the Co-op is presented as a welcoming and convivial place to visit

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

 

  • Assist with the planning of Circle meetings
  • Take minutes of Circle meetings
  • Attend occasional all Circle Secretary meetings

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

 

  • You have experience in prepare meeting notes or minutes
  • You have a good understanding of the role of the Secretary within a committee or grouping
  • You have experience working in a collaborative environment
  • You have an understanding of organic wholefoods, as well as ecologically acceptable products and activities
  • You have an understanding of what makes co-operatives different from other forms of enterprise

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

 

  • You are able to prioritise tasks dynamically
  • You are proactive and seek solutions to problems
  • You work well as part of a team
  • You want to continually improve how you work
  • You can remain calm under pressure
  • You’ve got great communication skills
  • You care about the details, but don’t forget the big picture  
  • High level of written English

LEARNING / EXPERIENCE OUTCOMES

 

  • Learn to work as part of a horizontal team
  • Learn how to prepare better minutes that are readable and actionable
  • Learn how to work with others to prepare and conduct meetings
  • Develop your minute-taking skills
Email info@dublinfood.coop if you are interested in this role.

Pro Bono Member Projects

Last updated 24th August 2022

Current Project(s)

Volunteer UX Design Project 

This project is ongoing on nearing completion. 

Past Project(s)

Online Retail Scheme Project 

Member led the drafting of a successful application for the online retail scheme in 2020. 

Unit 2 Member Consultation 

Member led a consultation process with members, and drafted a report on same which provided the CB with member direction on how to make the final decision on the new tenant in 2022. 

Do you have a technical or professional skills that you think would make a good pro bono project? Please send us an email to info@dublinfood.coop a little bit of detail about yourself, and the skills you would like to contribute to a pro bono project.

DFC Volunteers

Becoming a Volunteer

If you would like to get involved and volunteer, please contact us or email helprota@dublinfood.coop. Volunteers receive discounts in the shop depending on time spent in their volunteer role.
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