Volunteer Coordinator VISTA

Position Title:   Volunteer Coordinator VISTA 

Reports to:  Food Rescue Manager 

Job Classification:  Part-time (30 hours per week), Non-exempt 

Summary: 

The Volunteer Coordinator VISTA works closely with the Food Rescue Team to support, expand, and improve food safety practices within SLO Food Bank’s food rescue programs with the goal of increasing access to no-cost food. The VISTA will help increase the amount of nutritious food rescued from two sources: our grocery rescue program and gleaning program. The VISTA will also improve safe food handling within the network of agency partners that participate in our grocery rescue program. 

Principle Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Lead volunteers at backyard harvests to rescue fresh produce throughout SLO county. 
• Assist the Food Rescue & Glean Coordinator in promoting, training, and coordinating gleans for Harvest Leaders, a train the-trainer model that elevates dedicated glean volunteers to leadership roles within the glean program. 
• Collaborate with the Food Rescue Coordinator to work with food donors, agency partners, volunteers, and staff to ensure that rescued food is safely routed through SLO Food Bank programs to community members in need. 
• Design and implement a volunteer-led grocery rescue program to engage new Agency Partners who are not yet part of the program due to capacity constraints. 
• Create and implement a food safety training and certification for our Agency Partner volunteers who participate in grocery rescue. 
• Safely use vehicles, harvest equipment, and warehouse machinery required for completing/leading gleans and other food rescue opportunities. 
• Assist in outreach efforts to expand the SLO Food Bank’s food/agricultural donor base. 
• Work with communications staff to create content for SLO Food Bank’s social media. 
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Food Rescue Manager. 

Qualifications: 

• Passion for SLO Food Bank Mission. 
• Strong desire to compassionately serve struggling members of our community. 
• Proficiency in teamwork and collaboration, employs ample communication for effective collaboration, is open and honest with coworkers. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects with strong attention to detail; ability to handle interruptions, quickly refocus on tasks, and produce accurate work. 
• Ability to work both in a team setting and to work independently, take initiative, set priorities, and solve problems independently. 
• Strong cultural competence: ability to build positive relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (experience with Microsoft Excel is essential); previous experience with inventory management systems and social media for brands is also valuable. 
• Experience working with volunteers of all ages from diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. 
• Knowledge of food safety guidelines, with eventual ServSafe certification. 
• Previous experience with agriculture/farming/gardening preferred. 
• Previous experience with food or waste systems preferred. 
• Experience operating box trucks or similar vehicles, as well as forklift and pallet jack operation preferred but not required. 

Distinguishing Characteristics 

• Teamwork: Contributes harmoniously as member of the Food Bank team. 
• Compassion: Genuinely cares about providing services to people in need. Is kind to all. 
• Embraces Diversity: Gives respect to all people at all times without exception. 
• Hard Working: Is a self-starter, completes tasks, and is dependable. 

Requirements: 

• 18 years of age or older. 
• U.S. citizen, U.S. National, Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card status), or legally residing within a state. 
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License, clean driving record, proof of insurance, and reliable transportation. 
• Must pass a national criminal history check. 
• High school diploma or equivalent, with college education preferred. 
• Must be willing to travel throughout San Luis Obispo County. 
•  

Salary & Benefits:  

• Living allowance 
• End-of-service stipend 
• Settling-in & relocation allowances 
• Benefits towards education 
• More information is available at americorps.gov 

Work Conditions and Physical Demands: 

• The ability to stand for extended periods of time; the ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer); to lift, carry, and load up to 50 pounds. 
• Must be comfortable using up to 10-foot ladder for harvesting produce.   
• Must be able to bend, stoop, climb, and crouch repeatedly throughout the day. 
• Standing, walking, and kneeling required. 
• Variable work environment: work is conducted both indoors and outdoors with varying environmental conditions. Indoor facilities kept at cold temperature, so warm clothing is required. Noise level varies from quiet office environment to very noisy warehouse. Exhaust and dust may be present in the warehouse receiving area. 
• Available for periodic work on weekends, evenings, and other after-hours occasions as necessary. 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to  successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

The Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County is an at-will, equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, genetic information, disability, sex, marital status, age, or any other protected status covered by federal or state law. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change. 

How to Apply: 

1. Get started by navigating to the MyAmeriCorps Portal login screen at my.americorps.gov and then click the "Apply to Serve" link. 
2. Register on the MyAmeriCorps Portal. 
3. Click on the program name for your preferred AmeriCorps opportunity. 
4. Review the program description and click "Apply Now" at the bottom of the page. 
5. Click "Submit" 
6. You will receive an email confirmation that your application has been submitted.