Job Opportunities
Agency Overview:
The West Seattle Food Bank (WSFB) is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen the community through the power of neighbors helping neighbors, working to ensure all in our community have access to the essential necessities of living. The agency was established in 1983 and in March of 2020 merged with the West Seattle Helpline (WSH) to expand services. Primary services include distribution of food, financial assistance, clothes, and referrals for additional services and resources. The agency serves 1,000 – 2,000 households every week. Service area is primarily in the southwest portion of Seattle (West Seattle). In addition to the above services the agency also assists with supplies for infants and children and offers free pet food.
Volunteer Coordinator
Job Description
The Volunteer Coordinator (V.C.) will report directly to the Executive Director but work closely with program staff to ensure effective service delivery and coordination of volunteer activities. The V.C. will be the primary staff responsible for the recruitment, selection, and orientation of all volunteers serving programs and events of the West Seattle Food Bank. This position will also be the primary staff responsible for overseeing the Clothesline program, our free clothing bank. Approximately 20 – 30% of the time for this position will be at the West Seattle Clothesline, most of the remaining time at the West Seattle Food Bank main location.
Note: Some of this work may be done remotely but much of the time will need to be spent at the Food Bank or Clothesline.
Responsibilities
• Volunteer Recruitment & Management
o Onboard and integrate new volunteers into our mission focused work.
o Lead efforts to strategically recruit volunteers that can bring new insights and skills.
o Support the retention and continued engagement of volunteers through education opportunities and appreciation events.
o Collaborate with team members to ensure program, development and administrative activities are adequately supported.
o Collaborate with team members to create and continually update policies that reflect WSFB goals.
o Use Microsoft, Google and other database software to manage hours, scheduling, paperwork and essential volunteer data.
o Maintain and update volunteer recruitment, training, and guidance materials.
o Respond to volunteer inquiries in a timely manner.
o Attend outreach and resource fairs and other community events
• Program & Fundraising
o Oversee Clothesline activities, including scheduling and training new volunteers, ordering supplies.
o Provide program support in the food bank as needed.
o Provide fundraising, administrative and logistical support as needed.
o Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
• Meaningful experience supporting low-income individuals in a social service, employment, or educational setting.
• Ability to communicate effectively and develop trusting relationships with diverse individuals from many different backgrounds.
• Strong communication skills in English; both verbally and in writing required. Candidates that are additionally able to speak Spanish, Vietnamese or Somali strongly preferred.
• High degree of comfort navigating Microsoft Office, Google Drive and the ability to quickly learn and engage new computer software.
• Demonstrated awareness and respect for the needs of our community members belonging to different cultural and income groups.
• Excellent time and project management skills; the ability to keep multiple projects moving with considerable self-direction.
• Enthusiasm for working collaboratively in a multi-cultural environment with co-workers, volunteers and clients.
• A valid Washington State driver’s license, a working automobile available to use for food bank business, proof of automobile liability insurance, and a good driving record.
Selected candidate’s employment approval will be subject to a background check and proof of full vaccination for COVID-19.
Wages and Hours: 25-35 hours per week, Tuesday – Saturday; non-exempt, $18.00 – $24.00/hour DOE, paid bi-monthly. Some evenings will be required.
Benefits: Paid personal (sick) leave, vacation leave after six months, 9 paid holidays/year, health insurance, 401K after 6 months of employment.
Equal Opportunity Employment, Equity and Inclusion
West Seattle Food bank is committed to providing an inclusive environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, political affiliation, or status as a covered veteran, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
TO APPLY: Submit a resume and cover letter via email with the subject line “Volunteer Coordinator” to fran@westseattlefoodbank.org.
Program Coordinator – Home Delivery and Backpack Services
Job Description
The Backpack and Home Delivery Coordinator will report to the WSFB Operations Manager and work closely with the WSFB operations staff to improve services of the Backpack program and home delivery program. For deliveries this position will be responsible for finding ways to inform and engage home delivery clients regarding services, maintain schedules of volunteers performing services, manage coordination of delivery routes, fill in when home delivery volunteers are absent, and complete assigned reporting in a timely manner. This position will also communicate with individuals requesting or receiving services to determine food preferences and dietary restrictions and problem solve on issues relating to deliveries. The ability to engage individuals from very diverse backgrounds and cultures, often with limited English language skills, will be important with this position. For our Backpack program this position will interact with personnel from local schools to determine need and logistics for distribution of weekend feeding packs and coordinate with other WSFB staff and volunteers to prepare weekend packs.
Responsibilities
- Conduct phone interviews with individuals receiving food delivery to determine dietary restrictions and preferences.
- Work with operations staff to develop menus and source food for home deliveries and weekend food packs that will meet the cultural and dietary preferences of program participants.
- Train and supervise Home Delivery and Backpack volunteer team.
- Work with operations staff and volunteers to fill delivery bags to meet dietary preferences.
- Schedule home delivery routes and backpack deliveries and coordinate with delivery drivers.
- Use personal vehicle to fill in for delivery drivers when needed.
- Work with Seattle Public School personnel to enhance cooperation with the goal of improving services for students and families receiving this service.
- Collect and compile statistics for agency reporting, complete all required reports in a timely manner.
- Implement survey tools for delivery program participants, schools, and student/parent participants to determine efficacy of the program and current program model.
- Work closely with WSFB supervisors, staff, other agency staff, City of Seattle, and stakeholders to develop best practices.
- Actively participate in the Food for Schools Committee and other external collaborations.
- Provide direct service and referrals with kindness, respect, and confidentiality.
- Collaborate with other WSFB personnel to ensure all agencies activities meet performance goals and perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree in social work, nutrition or related field, or a minimum of two years direct experience working with low-income individuals in a social service, employment, customer service, or educational setting.
- Demonstrated understanding of and sensitivity to the needs of local ethnic communities and low-income populations.
- Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to establish and communicate project goals, timelines and needs.
- Ability to navigate relationships with multiple stakeholders.
- Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment with co-workers, volunteers, and clients.
- The ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish, Vietnamese or Somali strongly preferred.
- Possess a valid Washington State driver’s license, a working automobile available to use for food bank business, proof of automobile liability insurance, and a good driving record.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office software.
- Must pass a criminal background check through the State Patrol.
Salary and Benefits
Wages and Hours: $20-$24/hour DOE, 40 hours per week, non-exempt. Some weekends and evenings will be required.
Note: During the period of the Covid-19 response some of this work may be done remotely but most of the work will need to be performed in the Food Bank. Proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 will be required.
Benefits: Paid personal (sick) leave, vacation leave after six months, 9 paid holidays/year, health insurance, 401K after 6 months of employment.
Equal Opportunity Employment, Equity and Inclusion
West Seattle Food Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to workplace diversity. Members of BIPOC (black, indigenous, people of color) communities, or people who have personal experience in historically marginalized and excluded communities are especially encouraged to apply.
To Apply: Send your resume and cover letter outlining experience to fran@westseattlefoodbank.org.