What are the responsibilities and job description for the Volunteer Center Specialist position at Food Bank for the Heartland?
Position Title: Volunteer Center Specialist
Supported by: Volunteer Center Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time
Our Story:
Food Bank for the Heartland has connected our communities with food, resources, and hope since 1981. The fight against hunger is our ongoing, collaborative effort. We work with individuals, organizations, food manufacturers and distributors, grocery stores, the USDA, and Feeding America to procure food and purchase food to supplement donations. Through the collective power of our leadership, employees, partners, volunteers, and donors, we can reach more communities, serve more people, and address food insecurity more directly and effectively. As new needs arise, we are ready.
Our Philosophy:
Supported by: Volunteer Center Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time
Our Story:
Food Bank for the Heartland has connected our communities with food, resources, and hope since 1981. The fight against hunger is our ongoing, collaborative effort. We work with individuals, organizations, food manufacturers and distributors, grocery stores, the USDA, and Feeding America to procure food and purchase food to supplement donations. Through the collective power of our leadership, employees, partners, volunteers, and donors, we can reach more communities, serve more people, and address food insecurity more directly and effectively. As new needs arise, we are ready.
Our Philosophy:
Every service we provide, program we offer, and decision we make is rooted in our core Mission, Vision, and Values.
In Short:
The Volunteer Center Specialist will be responsible for interacting with volunteers and directing them through projects. ranging from sorting, and packing bulk donated retail or manufacturer products, gleaning, and packing backpacks, repackaging bulk items such as dry, perishable, and frozen into smaller pack sizes and labeling items in accordance with USDA and Food Bank for the Heartland specifications.
Your Mission:
In Short:
The Volunteer Center Specialist will be responsible for interacting with volunteers and directing them through projects. ranging from sorting, and packing bulk donated retail or manufacturer products, gleaning, and packing backpacks, repackaging bulk items such as dry, perishable, and frozen into smaller pack sizes and labeling items in accordance with USDA and Food Bank for the Heartland specifications.
Your Mission:
- Consistently maintain a high level of interaction with volunteers to promote an enjoyable and safe volunteer experience
- Provide direction and support to volunteers to ensure proper sorting of dry, cooler, and frozen products into distributable sizes
- Provide direction and support to volunteers to ensure safe and efficient construction of assembly items including backpacks and community packs
- Actively educate volunteers around food safety compliance and oversee them during the completion of daily tasks where it applies
- Provide direction and support to volunteers to ensure safe repackaging of all bulk products in a timely and accurate manner following all food safety and handling regulations
- Collect accurate information to create all necessary labels for product repacking projects and ensure all boxes and bags are labeled appropriately
- Maintain cleanliness of the Production Room and assigned areas of the warehouse by completing daily cleaning tasks and document all cleaning procedures according to AIB and USDA safety standards
- Utilize NetSuite to properly check in, transform, and move products within the inventory management system
- Assist the Volunteer Center Coordinator in monitoring inventory levels and create new item cards as needed
- Track volunteer production data on all activities to understand and project completion times
- Work with the Production Center Coordinator to plan and execute volunteer activities
- Observe proper food safety using personal protection equipment when required for assigned tasks including frozen protein repack
- Serve as a backup for the Food Bank for the Heartland point-of-contact to the USDA inspector when needed
- Abide by all food and warehouse safety rules and regulations
- Other duties entrusted within your scope
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Commitment to the FBFH mission and values
- Commitment to the FBH’s mission and values
- Strong customer service skills
- Good attention to detail
- Good verbal communication and computer skills
- Routinely lift 50 pounds
Your Story:
- High school graduate or GED preferred
- Warehouse experience preferred
- Forklift and pallet walker experience a plus (FBFH will certify)
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and be able to use appropriate equipment to lift and move greater amounts. Must be able to work in high traffic areas with forklifts, pallet jacks, and moving objects. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to bend, crawl, sit, talk, move about, hear, and speak.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee typically works in a fast-paced work environment spending most of the shift on their feet on concrete floors. The employee must be able to work in various weather and temperature conditions to include extreme heat, humidity and cold. Must also be able to work inside refrigerated areas where food is kept. Throughout the work shift, the employee will be exposed to warehouse air and noisy work environment.
The work environment characteristics described above are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
About The Team:
Everyone at Food Bank for the Heartland, from our administrative staff and warehouse employees to our team members working in partnership in the various community locations, shares a common vision: to help eliminate hunger in our service area—one initiative, program, and thoughtful decision at a time. Our culture is committed to welcoming you to our table, supporting your passion and drive, and focusing on diversity, growth, and community involvement.
This role is vital to the Food Bank for the Heartland’s Facilities team and is directly supported by our Volunteer Center Manager.
We provide an environment to help you succeed.
Food Bank for the Heartland is an equal-opportunity employer, and we’re excited to work with talented and empathetic people of all identities. As required by law and in line with our commitment to diversity, inclusion, belonging, and equity, FBFH does not discriminate based on someone’s identity in any aspect of hiring or employment. Our code of conduct provides a beacon for the kind of company we strive to be, and we celebrate our differences. FBFH will consider all qualified applicants.
FBFH is committed to inclusions. As part of this commitment, FBFH welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will work to provide reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the job application or interview process, don't hesitate to get in touch with adurr@foodbankheartland.org
We support your well-being.
We offer medical, retirement, supplemental, and leave benefits. We have resources such as our Employee Assistance Program to support your mental health.
FBFH is committed to inclusions. As part of this commitment, FBFH welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will work to provide reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the job application or interview process, don't hesitate to get in touch with adurr@foodbankheartland.org
We support your well-being.
We offer medical, retirement, supplemental, and leave benefits. We have resources such as our Employee Assistance Program to support your mental health.
