Harvest Home Kitchen Assistant - Part Time

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Harvest Home Kitchen (HHK) & Pantry serves hot meals and grocery items to food insecure neighbors. The Harvest Home Kitchen Assistant will be responsible for assisting with the day-to-day operations of these programs which take place at Feeding Southwest Virginia’s Abingdon Distribution Center. The position will support the Mission of Feeding Southwest Virginia: Nourish Neighbors, Engage Community Partners, and Develop Solutions to Address Food Insecurity.

POSITION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To be successful in this role, an individual must be able to perform in a satisfactory manner the functions or responsibilities listed below.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITY (EXPECTED WORK)

• As the Harvest Home Kitchen Associate representing the organization, he/she will demonstrate a professional demeanor in interactions with all FSWVA staff, agencies, program representatives and government officials in providing support and ensuring compliance.

• Keep informed and consistently practice the policies and procedures of Feeding Southwest Virginia, Feeding America national office regarding compliance.

• Possess knowledge of Feeding Southwest Virginia and all programs.

• The Kitchen Associate reports directly to the Abingdon Operations Director.

• Maintain a clean, sanitary and safe work environment consistent with standards set forth through the AIB guidelines.

• Assure all equipment is cleaned and maintained on a regular basis.

• Ensure FIFO and proper food rotation and flow of food.

• Responsible for assisting neighbors.

• Provide excellent customer service to build a positive environment while assisting neighbors to make food selections in the hot meal and food pantry lines.

• Support food bank staff in managing traffic, parking, item limits, etc.

• Work with staff and volunteers to sort and purge unsafe/inconsumable products and create visually appealing food displays for open service hours.

• Collect/maintain Service Insights (database) client data in accordance with Feeding Southwest Virginia guidelines assuring secure and confidential integrity of client records.

• Update neighbor’s information in Service Insights as required.

• Register new neighbors in Service Insights or assist neighbors with filling out the Household information form and entering their data at a later time.

• Update and print paper rosters if needed.

• Prepare and provide monthly reports as required to appropriate entities.

• Engage neighbors to provide feedback on program needs for the community.

• Participate in monthly meetings as needed with key staff at the food bank.

• Maintain program files to ensure compliance with Feeding Southwest Virginia & Feeding America.

• Be a liaison between volunteer services and the HHK.

Other functions:

• Promote inspiration and passion in motivating kitchen staff and volunteers

• Promote a cooperative spirit within the organization and among internal and external participants.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Abingdon Operations Director, Chief Operating Officer and the President and CEO.

Interface: Responsible in maintaining positive relationships

• Maintain positive relationships with Partner Programs and other nonprofit organizations and their representatives.

• Maintain positive relationships with regulatory agencies, individual and corporate vendor contacts.

• Ensure positive relationships with volunteers for a positive volunteer experience.

• Maintain positive relationships with the general public.

• Maintain positive relationships with other departments within Feeding Southwest Virginia.

• Interactions with Partner Programs, agencies, and other non-profit organizations.

• General Public

• Other departments within Feeding Southwest Virginia

• Volunteers

Minimum Skills and Qualifications required to capably perform in the position

Training, Education and Experience:

Education:

• High School Graduate or equivalent.

Experience:

• Previous customer service preferred.

• ServSafe Manager Certification or the ability to obtain within a specified timeframe set forth.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with internal and external audiences are required.

• Strong customer service ethic is required.

• Ability to work by timetables and complete reports by appropriate dates.

• Excellent organizational skills and required attention to detail.

• Limited occasional evening and weekend work required for special events.

• Demonstrated success in inspiring, motivating and encouraging others.

Certifications:

• ServSafe Manager (preferred) or must complete ServSafe training within the first six weeks of employment and keep current.

Allowable Substitutions:

Combination of education, experience, and/or training that provides the required knowledge and skills for the position may be considered in lieu of education and/or experience at the company’s discretion.

Language Skills:

• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to communicate effectivelyand convey concepts in an understandable way.

• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, and general public.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to perform basic math functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and fractions.

Technical/Computer Skills:

• Proficiency required in the use of Microsoft Office Word, Excel and Outlook Software.

• Capable of learning and independently operating equipment required for the position including printer, multi-use copier and phone system.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to multi-task.

• Have great customer service skills

• Able to problem-solve with limited supervision

• Must be reliable and dependable.

• Ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds.

• Maintain compliance with established Food Bank directives, policies and external regulations.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Valid Class Driver’s License and own transportation to work required.

• Maintain a safe driving record in driving company vehicles.

• Must obtain a ServSafe Food Manager certification within 1 month of employment.

Team Commitment:

Considers the benefits and consequences to the team when taking action, openly shares ideas and information with others, effectively completes work activities with and through others, helps others achieve goals and complete work tomeet the needs of the team and the organization. Criticizes actions, when necessary, not people and effectively negotiates win-win outcomes.

Flexibility:

• Be willing to work overtime and mandatory days set forth by the organization on short notice.

• Be willing to work flexible coverage as needed.

Physical Demands:

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the tasks outlined in this job description.

The position operates primarily in a kitchen setting as well as working in an internal and external warehouse environment consisting of hot and cold temperatures, walking, standing, bending, climbing, stooping, twisting, pulling and pushing. Occasionally, may be required to respond to organizational needs outside of normal working hours. With forklift traffic in the facility and product stacked and stored throughout, this position requires someone who is mobile and who can hear and watch for traffic and normal hazards of a warehouse environment. Conducts work in a fast paced and deadline driven environment.

Feeding Southwest Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. Feeding Southwest Virginia prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (to include pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or Virginia law.