Food Rescue Specialist

Food Rescue Specialist

The Food Rescue Specialist will directly support George Mason University's new Food Rescue and Composting initiative on the Fairfax campus, and the Food Recovery Network chapter (FRN at George Mason) by providing mostly operational, but also administrative, data reporting, and engagement support. This position advances progress on two goals: 1) address food insecurity on campus and 2) address food waste at George Mason University. This position will help plan, design, and implement food rescue processes and activities in collaboration with a variety of partners at the university, including Auxiliary and Business Services, University Sustainability, FRN at George Mason, George Mason Dining Services (Chartwells), and the Patriot Pantry. It will also serve as a member of George Mason's Food Rescue and Composting Working Group.

The Food Rescue Specialist will develop and strengthen food rescue partnerships, integrate food rescue activities within university operations, and increase opportunities for community engagement. In partnership with FRN and George Mason's student leaders, they will provide hands-on help to rescue and redistribute food to George Mason Patriots experiencing basic needs insecurity, while also reducing food waste disposal on campus.

George Mason University's host office anticipates hiring two candidates in this capacity.

Responsibilities:

• Safely transport food donations from a variety of on-campus donation partner locations, predominantly Dining Services' residential dining halls, as well as potentially the Presidents Park Greenhouse, retail dining, and catering sites;
• Package and label food donations in the new Southside Food Rescue Hub, supporting FRN and Dining staff efforts;
• Train on and operate a university vehicle/motorized utility vehicle to pick up, transport, and deliver food donations;
• Deliver packaged and labeled food donations to the Student Support and Advocacy Center's Patriot Pantry on the Fairfax Campus, approximately 2-3 times per week;
• Support FRN at GMU's food rescue route and volunteer shift planning, administering route and food rescue volunteer shift adjustments based on volunteer capacity and partners' needs;
• Ensure all food safety and handling policies and procedures are appropriately followed by FRN members and volunteers, after proper training;
• Maintain regular communications with university staff and important donation partners to support food rescue activities, including Patriot Pantry staff, Dining Services staff, and FRN at George Mason's community donation partners, among others;
• Represent FRN at George Mason by serving as a point of contact for Dining Services staff, ensuring consistent and timely communications for food donation pick-ups;
• Collaborate with student leaders in FRN at George Mason, Dining Services staff, and members of the Food Rescue and Composting Working Group to develop and update food rescue planning materials, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), logistics plans, and other process documentation to support food rescue activities; and
• Lead staff and volunteer training sessions and supervise volunteer groups for on- and off-campus food rescue activities.

Food Rescue Community Engagement:

• Assist with the creation of volunteer and staff training videos, directional guidance, and other best practice materials to improve food rescue activities at the university;
• In collaboration with the Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) and FRN at George Mason, create educational and communications materials to engage students about the initiative, its purpose, and raise awareness about prepared meals and fresh food options available at the Patriot Pantry;
• Co-host student outreach, volunteer recruitment, and educational events with FRN at George Mason members, engaging with attendees, answering questions, and providing operational support at on-campus events;
• Assist FRN at George Mason with on-campus events by coordinating logistics, communications plans, and space reservations, as needed;
• Attend FRN at George Mason's chapter meetings and Food Rescue and Composting Working Group meetings on a regular basis and collaborate with members at meetings by offering feedback and recommendations to improve food rescue operations and engagement; and
• When needed, serve as a representative of FRN at George Mason at Food Rescue and Composting Working Group meetings, and by responding to student and donation partners' collaboration and information requests.

George Mason Food Recovery Data Collection:

• In collaboration with FRN at George Mason, track food rescue data on a regular basis and maintain records for reporting and community engagement;
• Complete and submit accurate reports for food donations received and redistributed to on and off-campus partners, including Patriot Pantry and FRN staff, when needed; and
• Contribute to continuous improvement of George Mason's food rescue operations by developing, implementing, and analyzing assessments related to food rescue activities.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• As needed, evaluation activities to support George Mason's food rescue strategic planning (e.g., analysis to determine environmental and social impact, ROI for select activities, etc.); and
• Assist with other administrative and support tasks, such as monitoring and updating volunteer signups, maintaining records, etc.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to work collaboratively and independently on tasks and projects;
• Understanding of food insecurity and hunger relief services/system;
• Ability to lead, train, and manage volunteers for food rescue activities;
• Experience using Microsoft 365 software programs (Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.);
• Must possess a current, valid driver's license and the ability to complete training to operate a university vehicle and golf cart (training(s) will be provided upon hire);
• Ability to complete food safety and handling training (training will be provided upon hire through George Mason's Dining Services provider);
• Lift, carry, and otherwise transport items weighing up to 40 lbs;
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours as part of on-site tasks, including potential night and weekend work; and
• Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator's license that meets all of GMU's requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason's Vehicle Use Policy 1411 The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver's licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior involvement with food rescue activities, including planning and hosting events, participating in food rescue efforts, redistributing rescued food, etc.;
• Prior knowledge about food (in)security and basic needs (in)security;
• Passion for community organizing and engagement;
• Prior experience recruiting, supervising, and training volunteers;
• Prior experience developing and maintaining partnerships; and
• Ability to proactively seek opportunities to improve food rescue activities.

Physical Demands:

• Organize, move, and otherwise manipulate bins, trays, and boxes;
• Walk, move, travel, and otherwise navigate the university's campuses;
• Walk, stand, sit, stoop, kneel, and crouch;
• Make repetitive motions;
• Talk or hear;
• Type and write by hand;
• Use hands to touch, grasp, hold, or handle;
• Safely utilize a variety of food service equipment and tools;
• Safely operate a university vehicle and golf cart; and
• Safely work in a variety of locations, including the Presidents Park Greenhouse and Dining Services' residential dining halls, retail dining, and catering sites.

Work Conditions:

• Outdoor work in varied conditions (heat, humidity, rain, cold, winds, etc.);
• Indoor work in climate-controlled and non-climate-controlled conditions;
• Travel to and work on-site at the university's campuses; and
• Limited ability to work remotely when responsibilities permit.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Food Rescue Specialist at Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Resume for review.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Virginia Department of Human Resource Management