Northeast Iowa Food Bank

The ideal Volunteer Experience Coordinator for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank understands and is passionate about the organization’s mission to provide nutritious food and grocery products to those in need in our16-county service area. This individual will be a vital component of the Development team in sourcing over 7 million pounds of food annually.  As the Volunteer Experience Coordinator, this team member must demonstrate implementation skills to optimize food processing practices that support the Northeast Iowa Food Bank’s strategic plan. The ability to work in a fast-paced and progressive environment will be the key to success in this role, as the Northeast Iowa Food Bank continually strives to work towards closing the Meal Gap in northeast Iowa.

This individual will possess strong interpersonal skills, a strong sense of initiative and the ability to engage volunteers and staff. A passion for social justice and compassion for others are keys in being a staff member at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank.  At the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, we strive to work as a unified team to close the meal gap in northeast Iowa. To this end the Volunteer Experience Coordinator will need to be capable of working as a Volunteer Team member, as well as being a self-starter. In addition, a strong work ethic, positive role model, motivator and supporter will enhance the work environment for the Volunteer team staff and volunteers.

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The responsibilities of the Volunteer Experience Coordinator include, but are not limited to, the following...

• Trains, motivates, and monitors volunteers in a variety of different projects including dry boxes, product sort and repacking and backpacks.

• Lead volunteer groups in projects in an engaging and inviting manner for a diverse range of individuals and groups at the NEIFB.

• Organize and lead night groups Monday-Thursday evenings.

• Ensure proper training of volunteers to include specific jobs and safety concerns. Communicate frequently with volunteers to ensure they are satisfied and appropriately placed.

• Be a great communicator, organized and detail-oriented to ensure proper communication internally and externally with staff and volunteers.

• In conjunction with the Inventory Control Manager monitor all projects to ensure that all products in cooler/freezer and warehouse are processed in a timely manner.

• Plan and execute volunteer recognition and appreciation programming within budget and schedule in partnership with Volunteer Outreach Coordinator.

• Work with Volunteer Team members to coordinate, lead and plan volunteer events and offsite packs.

• Oversee the accurate and timely sort and inspection of all Food Rescue.

• Oversee the repack and relabel of bulk food into individual packages.

• Coordinate with operations team of project priorities to the entire volunteer department.

• Oversee all supplies, set up and coordination for projects happening in the warehouse.

• Ensure that all salvage guidelines and quality control standards are met.
• Controlling products (bread, salvage, etc.) by utilizing the FEFO (First Expired, First Out) process.
• Tag and label all product and pallets correctly.
• Control, track and dispose inventory due to spoilage and unmet quality standards.
• Maintain proper documentation of incoming and outgoing products, in addition to temperature requirements in accordance with Feeding America and AIB standards.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment and proper documentation of all cleaning activities in the clean/sort room, quarantine room, and volunteer room.
• Provide direct assistance to all areas of warehouse operations when not having volunteers or food to sort the coordinator will be assisting in the warehouse and could lead volunteers when picking orders.
• Adhere to all policies and procedures set forth by the Northeast Iowa Food Bank in accordance with AIB and Feeding America standards, in addition to local, state, and federal regulations.
• In instances of a federal, state or locally declared emergency, NEIFB is typically considered an essential service and emergency responder; all its employees may be called in to perform regular or emergent duties.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet Food Bank needs.

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Required:

·        Knowledge of warehouse operations, practices, procedures, and standards

·        Ability to perform physical labor as necessary (stand/walk/move for long periods of time, lift to 50 pounds, work with warehouse equipment)

·        Minimum of a high school diploma or GED

·        Ability to perform basic mathematical functions.

·        Ability to work in hot to cold environments, including warehouse, cooler and freezer.

·        Ability to work independently and with staff to achieve objectives.

·        Ability to work some Saturday mornings as required.

·        Strong oral and written communication skills

·        Ability to speak comfortably in front of others about the Food Bank’s mission.

·        Excellent ability to manage both small and large groups of individuals and delegate tasks in large scale projects.

·        Ability to maintain focus and organization on tasks and produce accurate work in a fast-paced environment.

·        Ability to work with and motivate a diverse group of volunteers.

·        Culturally competent, ability to work with diverse groups and individuals.

·        Ability to be certified in SERV Safe Food Handling

·        Must pass a criminal background check.

·        Valid driver’s license, safe driving record, current vehicle insurance

Preferred:

·        Ability to multitask, delegate, and adhere to deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

·        Experience with non-profit organizations.

·        Forklift certification and experience.

·        Food Safety and Handling experience

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Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here 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.

This position operates in both a typical office environment as well as in the warehouse and requires use of a computer and other office equipment, such as phones, calculators, computer printers and copy machines and the ability to operate manual and automatic pallet jacks, pallet wrapping machines, cardboard baler, and cleaning equipment. This position also requires nights and weekends so the ability to arrange transportation is a necessity.

Physical Demands

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.

The position operates primarily in a clean sort room and warehouse setting within the Food Bank. Ability to communicate in a clear speaking voice in person, before large groups and over the phone. Ability to interpret instructions and questions when asked. Ability to access transportation to travel to local events and meetings with external parties. The person in this position will be required to be able to move pallets of food using pallet jacks, stay on their feet for up to four hours at a time, and work in the cooler and freezer. Occasionally, may be required to respond to organizational needs outside of normal working hours. The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry objects up to thirty pounds.

NEIFB Bank Core Values                                   NEIFB Core Focus

§  Attitude of Helpfulness                                      Our Purpose:

§  Confidently Humble                                            Collaborate + Educate + Advocate = Feed the Food Insecure

§  Clear Communication                                                                        

§  Empathetic to the Community                                                        

§  Solution Centered                                               Our 10-year target:

§  Striving for Excellence                                        Every Meal.  Every Day. Everyone.

Northeast Iowa Food Bank hereby affirms it is an equal opportunity employer, offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender expression or identity, pregnancy, leave status, genetic information or age and provides Equal Employment Opportunity to handicapped individuals, disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era. Further, the Northeast Iowa Food Bank is an equal opportunity provider.

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