Job Description

Position: Backyard Harvest Program Coordinator – LA County

Organization: Food Forward (501c3 non-profit), www.foodforward.org

Location: North Hollywood, CA

Organizational Overview: Food Forward fights hunger and prevents food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people in need and inspiring others to do the same. Our produce is recovered mostly in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties but reaches those in need in eight Southern California counties via distribution by hundreds of hunger relief agencies across virtually all social service sectors: homeless outreach, domestic violence shelters, street youth homes, veteran services, LGBT teen/adult/senior services, after-school programs, the mentally disabled, low-income college programs, and many more. With the volunteer-power of over 7,000 registered volunteers and a modest staff, we will help feed over 1.75 million Southern Californians in need this year alone. *See our core values posted below.

Backyard Harvest Program Overview: The Backyard Harvest Program started in 2009 in the San Fernando Valley when two volunteers harvested over 800 pounds of tangerines from a single tree. The Backyard Harvest Program administers a volunteer-based, systematized collection of produce that would otherwise go to waste from backyard fruit trees and orchards. 100% of the fruit picked is donated to agencies serving those in need.

Position Overview: Food Forward is seeking a Backyard Harvest (BYH) Coordinator to join our team. The BYH Coordinator will report directly to the BYH Manager and work to improve programmatic efficiency and deepen the BYH program’s impact in LA County, with specific regional emphasis on the San Fernando Valley, Westside, Central LA, South Bay and beyond. They will also closely work with the other BYH Coordinators in LA and Ventura Counties. This position provides an opportunity to become deeply involved in the Los Angeles food justice community, while working for a prominent and growing nonprofit.  The ideal candidate for the BYH Coordinator role has experience working with and engaging volunteers, exhibits excellent people, public speaking and customer service skills, and has a strong interest in issues related to food waste and recovery, hunger eradication and food justice. We are looking for someone detailed-oriented that can work in a fast paced environment, both independently and collaboratively, is capable of collecting and organizing large amounts of data and information, multi-task, and communicate clearly with a variety of stakeholders. They need to be a flexible team player who is able to work well under pressure and time constraints, possess excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to make and act on decisions quickly. The BYH Program is constantly evolving, and an ideal candidate will support the growth of the program. The person in this role will have access to a Food Forward vehicle for many work-related tasks but occasional personal vehicle usage will be required. Applicable mileage will be eligible for reimbursement at standard IRS rates.

Core Responsibilities:                                                     

• Schedule and coordinate logistics for 50+ unique harvest events each month
• Onboard, train and oversee 50+ volunteer event leaders who lead harvest events
• Frequent and timely communication via phone, email and text with property owners, volunteer event leaders and hunger relief agencies to build and maintain positive working relationships 
• Tracking of monthly BYH event metrics and highlights, equipment inventory and repair needs
• Update and develop new training materials for event leaders and create and update BYH staff workflows and manuals 
• Assist with creation and organization of program related information on Google Drive & Data Studio, program related software development and testing needs
• Play a key role in managing program assistants and interns
• Help plan and participate in volunteer engagement activities, i.e. happy hours, potlucks, appreciation parties
• Help establish new community partnerships and localized equipment hubs and present at community events, council meetings, universities, etc.
• Lead BYH events, assist with equipment drop offs, harvest pick-ups and deliveries to hunger relief agencies as needed

Minimum Requirements and Qualifications:

• Computer literate and proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Google G-Mail, and Google Sheets
• Associate Degree or equivalent work experience
• Ability to drive large utility-style vans and trucks in compliance of traffic and safety laws
• A valid class C driver’s license with no more than one moving citation on record
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule and weekends 

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors
• Ability to lift and move boxes of produce  and equipment weighing up to 55 lbs
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, climb stairs and ladders, bend, lift, twist, kneel, crouch, crawl, pull, push, carry, grasp, reach and stoop as needed

Hours: 40/week full-time, non-exempt position

Compensation: $15 – $17 / Hour

Benefits: 

• Medical, Vision and Life Insurance Coverage
• Simple IRA with 3% employer matching (after one year of employment)
• Generous sick days, paid-time-off, and holiday allocation
• Cell phone allowance
• Telecommuting and work flexibility

 *Food Forward Core Values: 

• Creativity – We seek to innovate in all facets of our work. 
• Joyfulness – We cultivate a meaningful, fun, positive and spirited work environment. 
• Committed to Food Justice – We believe that access to wholesome food, and fresh nutritious produce, is not a privilege, but a right. We work hard to end food inequality and reduce food insecurity. 
• Authenticity – We are transparent and honest in our words, deeds, and actions. We act at the highest level of integrity. 
• Disciplined – We are reliable, professional, accountable, rigorous and committed to excellence in all areas of our work, both internally and externally. 
• Community-minded – We aim to include and connect people in the community, and to remain open, diverse, respectful, and accessible. We take pride in offering people meaningful volunteer and work experiences.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 20,000 - 40,000.

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