Volunteer Program Associate

ABOUT FIND:

FIND Food Bank is the Desert’s Regional Food Bank and the Feeding America Member food bank that serves the Coachella Valley Desert area of California (commonly known as the Palm Springs, CA area). For over 40 years, FIND has dedicated itself to relieving hunger, the causes of hunger, and the problems associated with hunger through awareness, education, community involvement and mobilizing resources to those in need of food assistance in the eastern Riverside and southern San Bernardino Counties Area. Our vision is to End Hunger for Today, Tomorrow and Lifetime so that people are free of hunger and food insecurity. FIND’s team is committed to the equitable distribution of healthy food resources, advancing outreach efforts to ensure access to government food assistance and medical programs, rescuing safe and edible foods that would otherwise be wasted in landfills, and leading a community movement of non-profits and organizations committed to ending hunger in our region. Resources are leveraged in a strategic, cost-effective manner to achieve our mission and vision. FIND serves over 125,000 people per month through our food distribution network and distributes over 20 million lbs. of food per year, partners with over 100 organizations and runs 46 free Community Mobile Markets to ensure that there are over 140 easily accessible free food locations over a 5,000 sq. mile service area.

SUMMARY of POSITION

The following is a general list of job responsibilities that may be reviewed and/or updated at the conclusion of the probationary period and annually thereafter.

The Volunteer Program Associate position will be focused on the success, oversite, training and co-coordination of FIND’s Volunteer programs, recruitment, orientation, daily volunteer support, special events and tracking hours. The Volunteer Program Associate will work with the volunteer team to guide internship participants as well as develop strong relationships with business partners. The Volunteer Program Associate will work diligently with business partners within the community to foster a positive image such that companies and volunteers will make FIND Food Bank the volunteer organization of choice. The Volunteer Program Associate will understand and comply with Feeding America & AIB/ Safe food Handling Practices & procedures.

The following is a general list of job responsibilities that will be reviewed and/or updated at the conclusion of the probationary period and annually thereafter.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Volunteer Coordination and Supervision

• Coordinate goals and objectives for volunteer programs which reflect the mission of the organization.
• Assess the need for volunteers to enhance program/service delivery.
• Continuously evaluate the programs and services delivered by volunteers and work with the Volunteer Programs Supervisor to implement necessary improvements.
• Coordinate and execute volunteer projects to meet production goals.
• Assign tasks to volunteers to ensure efficiency and adherence to safety guidelines.
• Welcome and communicate with volunteers to provide volunteer recognition of veteran volunteers, large groups, and corporate volunteers.
• Serve as a resource for, and respond to inquiries from potential, current, and past volunteers.
• Collaborate with FIND Associate Director of Community Impact with volunteer placement, training and management.
• Maintain volunteer acknowledgement/stewardship grid and keep track of related individuals and/or events that would easily translate into a social media post and/or newsletter feature.

Warehouse Operations

· Oversee and assist with food packing, sorting, and palletizing food rescue volunteer activities.

· Ensure food products are handled, stored and packed according to food safety guidelines.

· Monitor inventory levels and packing supplies and notify leadership of any shortages.

· Work closely with warehouse staff to ensure packing supplies are stocked, allocated and replenished for volunteer activities.

· Communicate supply needs and coordinate logistics to support smooth warehouse operations.

· Collaborate with warehouse employees to streamline processes for volunteer efficiency and productivity.

• Conduct start and end counts of all Commodity Supplemental Food Products (Government Commodities) at the beginning and end of volunteer packing activities.
• Track inventory usage of products allocated for volunteer packing events and report discrepancies to warehouse leadership.
• Safely lift, carry and move 60 pounds or more of food products and supplies as needed.
• Operate warehouse equipment including pallet jacks, to move food products within the facility.
• Administer all day-to-day labor-intensive duties, including:

o Moving and organizing pallets of food.

o Using box cutters to safely open packaging

o Wrapping, palletizing, and labeling products for distribution.

Safety and compliance

• Evaluate the risks associated with each volunteer position and take appropriate action to control the risk associated with the program or service.
• Ensure that volunteers work in a safe, healthy and supportive environment in accordance with all appropriate legislation and regulations.
• Supervise the production environment to promote food safety, health, and hygiene while maintaining desired outputs.
• Always maintain building safety, ensuring that all building doors remain closed and secure.
• Check in only registered volunteers and control access to the building ensuring unauthorized individuals do not enter.

Homebound Delivery Program Oversight

• Oversee the Homebound Delivery Program, ensuring the volunteers receive the correct food allocations for delivery.
• Greet volunteers upon arrival and confirm their assignment for the homebound deliveries.
• Assign food product allocated for the Homebound Delivery Program, ensuring accuracy and readiness.
• Cross-check assigned food with warehouse staff to ensure inventory accuracy before releasing products.
• Provide volunteers with the Bill of Lading OR Invoice for signature before the food is handed over.
• Maintain accurate records of deliveries, ensuring all documentation is completed and reported properly.

Corporate / Community Group Relationship Support

• Under direction from CEO & Development Department provide supervision so that VIP groups identified have a positive experience

As required to meet the needs of the company, other duties may be assigned as needed

MISSION and PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS

• Understand and exemplify professionally and sincerely FIND Food Bank’s mission and vision
• Understand and adhere to organization and department policies and procedures
• Know and promote principles of professional cooperation
• Participate effectively in department/team and all-staff meetings
• Operate with a sense of teamwork; support fellow co-workers in daily work
• Provide a positive model for co-workers
• Report to work as scheduled, on-time, appropriately dressed, and ready to work
• Communicate work-related needs and problems promptly and effectively
• Take initiative to identify, report, and resolve problems before they escalate
• Accept and offer constructive feedback and suggestions, openly and respectfully
• Accept direction willingly and follow through with assigned/delegated tasks
• Approach our work with a continual improvement mindset

SKILLS and ABILITIES

• Leadership – is capable of understanding the vision for the future of the organization, ability to motivate and lead employees. Understands and engages in capacity building.
• Planning and Organizing – proven planning, organizing, and execution skills
• Problem Analysis/Problem Solving –a proactive problem solver with ability to anticipate potential problems by conducting a thorough analysis, assessing risks, and developing plans of action to mitigate outcomes.
• Data and Metrics Analysis– Skills in Data Tracking and Metrics Analysis utilizing technology tools.
• Communication - Ability to communicate well, in written and verbal forms, to internal and external audiences
• Servant Leader – leads by example. Embraces the mission and is able to translate it daily through the work of the team. Acts ethically with integrity and is professional, open minded, a collaborator, and a good communicator.
• Identify barriers to the achievement of the mission and facilitates the development of strategies to overcome those barriers.
• Demonstrates skill and knowledge in navigating community groups, collaborations, and partnerships.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent verbal communication skills with Volunteers, Outside agencies, employees, etc..
• Minimum of 1 year Community Voluntary Program, Customer Service and/or Management.
• Experience in a food bank and/or other nonprofit setting preferred
• High School Diploma or GED, Associates Degree preferred or a combination of appropriate educational background and professional work experience for this position
• Proven leadership skills
• Ability and desire to relate to and work with various age, socio-economic, gender, racial and ethnic groups
• Ability to learn and enforce Feeding America, local, state and federal laws and regulations relating to Food Safety and food handling
• Must possess a valid California Driver's License, proof of auto insurance on personal vehicle used, be insurable by FIND’s commercial auto policy provider, and have reliable transportation for business use. (mileage reimbursed by FIND for business use)
• Must be available for occasional evening and weekend work as required.
• Ability to adhere to FIND Food Bank’s organizational policies and work standards.
• Ability to lift 60 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Warehouse and outdoor environment, including work in coolers/freezers and in warehouse and outdoors with extreme temperature variance; extensive computer and phone work; responsible for safe use of equipment; driving, walking, standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, lifting, and carrying items weighing in excess of 60 pounds; regular contact with volunteers and agency representatives; work periodically requires extended hours.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $17.50 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evenings as needed
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Relocate:

• Indio, CA 92201: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18