Food Share Pantry Assistant

Description:
AWARE Pantry Assistant

Hiring Salary Range: $15.01 – $17.64

• This is a limited duration position that begins as soon as possible and is expected to last one year. The person in this position will work 32 hours each week.

** The Food Share provides a comprehensive benefits package to our staff who work 30 or more hours per week.

*** This position is Open Until Filled – Apply soon!

Marion Polk Food Share is the regional food bank serving Marion and Polk Counties. Support from our local community makes it possible for the Food Share to collect and distribute nutritious food for children, adults, and seniors through more than 100 partner programs, including food pantries, meal sites and home-delivered meals and to carry out programs to address the root causes of hunger.

The mission of Marion Polk Food Share is to bring people together to end hunger and its root causes.

At the Food Share, our commitment is to:

• Treat all people as our neighbor.
• Encourage creativity and be willing to take risks.
• Listen first and seek to understand.
• Focus on shared goals.
• Celebrate diversity, ensure dignity and act equitably.

Statement of Purpose:
To contribute to the success of the food pantry by supporting its operation and food distributions.

Summary of Role:
This position supports operations of the AWARE Food Bank in Woodburn, Oregon while the pantry is displaced from its location by a recent fire. The Pantry Assistant maintains a clean and organized warehouse, receives and stores product, stocks pantry shelves, and assists with food distributions to the public.

**These positions have no staff supervisory responsibilities but may provide leadership, guidance, and training to volunteers.

Core Areas of Responsibility:

• Setup/Cleanup Assistant: Assist in pre and post activities related to client food distribution.
• Product Loading and Rotation: Unload and organize food deliveries in the AWARE warehouse.
• Inventory Tracking: Support staff and volunteers in tracking inventory and practicing FIFO (First In First Out).

Areas of Responsibility, Evaluation and Essential Functions:
Assist in daily preparation for food distribution. This could include but is not limited to: stocking shelves or refrigerators, setting up tents or signs, or cleaning and disinfecting warehouse, waiting room and office spaces.

Assist in closing duties at end of food distribution. This could include but is not limited to: removing warehouse or distribution debris, properly disposing of garbage and recyclables. Sweeping and dusting.

Assisting with food pantry distribution to the public as needed both on site and mobile programs. Could include performing client intake, assisting clients shopping through the pantry, or building food boxes.

This position will specifically spend a few hours each week assisting with implementing a new client database.

Unload food deliveries from the Food Share and food donors. Unstack pallets and sort food in the warehouse in proper places.

Sort out produce or other perishables that are not fit to eat and assist in disposal of product.

Sort mixed food product into appropriate categories.

Assist in Managing FIFO rotation of product.

Communicate inventory levels with Pantry Manager.

Manage and sort dunnage, clean totes and bins.

Maintain a clean side yard and property.

May help with driving or sorting food for the retail food pick-up program as needed

May occasionally work with community partners for client needs or pantry programming.

**Other duties as assigned

. Requirements:
Education and/or Experience; Certificates/Licenses/Registrations:

1-year experience in warehouse work, food services, food retail, cleaning/janitorial, social services or another related field desired.

Comfortable typing on a computer and using the internet.

Must have or be willing to obtain a Food Handler’s Card.

Forklift certification a plus, but not required.

Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Must pass pre-employment drug screen and full background check, including driving record check.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to work effectively with a diverse group people, including people experiencing poverty and crisis, culturally diverse communities, non-English speakers and others.

Knowledge of food safety and safe food handling procedures.

Able to work with volunteers, staff and community partners as part of a team.

Flexible availability to accommodate working some evenings or weekends.

Bilingual in Spanish or Russian preferred. (5% bilingual differential applies if incumbent passes bilingual test.)

Able to work well under pressure with frequent interruptions and shifting priorities and exercise sound judgement daily.

Able to operate a pallet jack or willing to learn. Forklift skills desired but not required.

Able to drive distances up to 60 miles round trip in a variety of vehicles (cargo van, box truck).

Able to lift up to 50 pounds and perform work while seating or standing for a prolonged period of time.

Ability to push/pull loads up to 1500 pounds on carts and pallet jacks.

Passion for helping the community and addressing hunger.

Remote work is NOT possible for this position.

The Food Share provides essential services to our neighbors in Marion and Polk counties. As a result, all Food Share employees may be asked to report to work during local public health, weather, or other environmental emergencies.