Northeast Iowa Food Bank

The ideal Pantry Services Coordinator for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank understands and is passionate about the organization’s mission to provide nutritious food and grocery product to those in need in our 16-county service area. This individual will be a vital component of the Programs Department in serving food-insecure individuals through the Cedar Valley Food Pantry (CVFP). The ability to work in a fast-paced and progressive environment will be a key to success in this role.

This individual will have strong interpersonal skills, be a clear communicator and empathetic listener, which will be critical for the development of strong relationships between coworkers and pantry clients. Cultural competency is of utmost importance, as the Pantry Services Coordinator will work with diverse populations regularly serving clients and Food Bank events.

A passion for social justice and compassion for others are keys to being a staff member at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. The Northeast Iowa Food Bank strives to work as a unified team to close the Meal Gap in northeast Iowa; to this end, the Pantry Services Coordinator will need to be capable of working as a team as well as being a self-starter. In addition, maintaining a positive outlook will play a large role in being a motivator and encourager for the community, clients, and staff members alike.

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The responsibilities of the Pantry Services Coordinator include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Determines clients’ eligibility for services through the Cedar Valley Food Pantry in accordance with established guidelines and policies. Assists clients with the intake process.

• Maintain a warm and welcoming environment to create a positive client experience of the CVFP.

• Greet, train, and supervise volunteers as well as share the mission of the NEIFB; provide general guidance of projects; assure proper training of volunteers to include specific jobs and safety concerns. Communicate frequently with volunteers to ensure they are satisfied and appropriately placed.

• Responsible for the distribution and rotation of food in the pantry, which includes utilizing a pallet jack to move pallets of food from the warehouse to the pantry, stocking shelves, and rotating inventory. Assist in ordering product and determining appropriate product distribution.

• Maintaining clean and organized work zones, including product disposal, sweeping and mopping, cleaning, and sanitizing shelving.

• Be informed on other resources for low-income individuals in the community, referring clients to other goods or services.

• Assist in maintaining complete and accurate client files on paper and in Service Insights software. Generate reports to assist in program tracking. Assist with filing of new client and or renewal TEFAP forms.

• 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.

• Provide occasional coverage in other areas of the Programs Department, as necessary, in times of high need.

• Other duties as assigned.

• 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.

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Required:

• Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree or 2-4 years comparable experience in customer service or other related areas

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills

• Culturally competent; have an ability to work with diverse groups and individuals

• Ability to work independently and with staff and volunteers to achieve objectives

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

• Ability to perform basic mathematical functions

• Ability to work nights and weekends, as needed

• Ability to perform physical labor as necessary

• Ability to obtain SERV Safe Food Handler Safety Certification

• Must pass a criminal background check

• Valid driver's license, safe driving record, current vehicle insurance and ability to use personal vehicle for OFB business

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Preferred

• Experience with non-profit organizations

• Demonstrates bilingual proficiency in Spanish and/or French, with the ability to read, write and communicate effectively

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Desired

• Community involvement and knowledge of those communities in our 16-county service area

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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, cardboard baler, and cleaning equipment. This position also requires occasional nights and weekends and requires the ability to access transportation to travel to local events.

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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 the office intake area, pantry and warehouse setting within the Food Bank. The person in this position must be able to move pallets of food using pallet jacks, stay on their feet, including walking and standing for the duration of the shift and work in the cooler and freezer. The employee will be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry objects up to fifty pounds. Occasionally, may be required to respond to organizational needs outside of normal working hours.

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NEIFB Core Values

· Attitude of Helpfulness

· Confidently Humble

· Clear Communication

· Empathetic to the Community

· Solution Centered

· Striving for Excellence

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NEIFB Core Focus

Our Purpose:

Collaborate + Educate + Advocate = Feed the Food Insecure

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Our Bold Aspiration

Every Meal. Every Day. Everyone.

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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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