Food Distribution Programs Driver and Warehouse Specialist

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

8d•Onsite

About The Position

This position resides in the Department of Human Services within the Division of Food and Energy Assistance (FEAD). The Food Distribution Programs (FDP) unit administers United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrition programs, currently providing more than $70M in food to alleviate hunger in Colorado. The USDA Foods programs include the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), Child and Adult Care Food Programs (CACFP), Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) called Everyday Eats in Colorado. FDP also has responsibility for mass and disaster feeding programs and a variety of grant programs related to emergency hunger relief and local agriculture. Administration of these programs includes contracting with nonprofit, for-profit, and other government entities to order, warehouse, and distribute USDA Foods, monitoring, creating policy and procedures, statewide training, evaluation, and support. Core external partners include food banks, food pantries, commercial warehouses and third-party logistics, county government, the USDA, school districts, childcare centers, and food processors. FDP operates a warehouse for NSLP USDA Foods, which includes receiving, storing, and distributing frozen and ambient foods to 200 school districts and childcare centers across the entire state. The FDP Distribution Specialist loads pallets and cases of food into refrigerated trucks and delivers them to school districts and childcare centers across Colorado. This position operates a one-axle refrigerated truck on paved, gravel and dirt roads including traversing mountain passes to deliver food following a route. This position unloads industrial-sized food products primarily by the case (30 to 50 lbs. per case) using dollies. This position must keep food products at the proper temperature, ensure paperwork is completed properly, and maintain good relations with schools. The FDP Distribution Specialist receives, loads and stores ambient and frozen foods in the Food Distribution warehouse. The Position accepts or refuses deliveries by verifying the quality and quantity of contents against orders, bills of lading, specifications and other reports. They safely move, load, store and rotate products in the warehouse which includes working in below freezing conditions. This position picks, packs and labels outgoing orders. The work involves climbing, lifting and operating power equipment to load, unload, move, stack and tier items in the warehouse. This position is also responsible for adhering to a cleaning and pest control schedule, cleaning associated equipment, and ensuring regular maintenance for equipment is completed.

Requirements

Three (3) years of relevant experience in receiving, picking, loading, and driving food products to multiple locations throughout the state.
6 months minimum, 1 year preferred driving experience with a clean driving record
6 months minimum, 1 year preferred forklift, hand truck, and electric/manual pallet jack experience
Ability to lift 75 lbs.
A High School Diploma, a valid driver's license with a clean driving record, and/or relevant experience in receiving, picking, loading, and driving food products to multiple locations throughout the state, equal to three (3) years.
Full Background Check
CDI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, TRAILS (child abuse / neglect database system check), Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers))
Motor Vehicle Record Check
State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
Pre-employment Physical/Tests
Ongoing Functional Capacity Testing
Current/Valid and non-restricted CO Driver’s License
Must complete the official State of Colorado online application.
Must specifically document your work experience and qualifications in the application form. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."
Must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process.
Part-time work experience will be prorated.
Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications.
Answer all supplemental questions as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase.
Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.
Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully.
We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).

Nice To Haves

CDL License
Meticulous attention to detail
Material handler
Forklift operator
Inventory experience
Good customer service, strong communication and interpersonal skills
Time-management, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Ability to work well independently and as part of a team
Relevant years of State service should be considered as a preferred qualification to be used to determine the top candidates on the referral list.
Relevant years of state service experience.

Responsibilities

Loads pallets, equipment and supplies on a single axle truck following written and verbal guidelines and delivery schedules.
Unloads food at destinations using a 2-wheel dolly or small electric pallet jack into school and childcare buildings.
Completes pre-drive and post-trip inspections of trucks, logs and files records according to record retention schedules.
Monitors the mechanical condition and cleanliness of the equipment, inspecting and maintaining fluid and air pressure levels.
Reports truck damage or mechanical problems immediately and schedules maintenance/repairs.
Maintains knowledge and understanding of food safety to ensure food is always kept at proper temperatures and fit for human consumption.
Verifies orders for accuracy, optimal condition, temperature, and food safety.
Returns excess food to proper storage areas.
Operates electric forklift, electric pallet jack, manual pallet jack, dollies and carts.
Uses a purchase card to fuel and maintain the vehicle.
Responsible for keeping receipts, disputing unauthorized charges, and reconciling the car for the travel department each month.
Maintains cell phone and tablet with charge and responds to calls and emails.
Provides excellent customer service when delivering products to childcare centers and school districts.
Acts in a professional manner to all internal and external personnel, understanding that small rural schools may be difficult to get to or unload at.
Responsible for the receipt, storage and loading of USDA Foods in accordance with State and Federal regulations, policies and procedures.
Monitors and documents temperatures of food products and storage areas, ensuring equipment is holding correct temperature ranges.
Receives and inspects food deliveries verifying the bill of lading for accuracy and confirming it matches the requisition request.
Identifies if a delivery is out of compliance and makes the decision to refuse the order; adjustments are made to BOL and follow-up is completed with USDA.
Enters receipts into the USDA’s web-based inventory system.
Maintains safe and efficient inventory storage by using reasoning to determine proper utilization of storage area.
Picks, packs and loads outgoing orders in a timely manner and completes all necessary paperwork accurately.
Uses first-in, first-out method when picking orders to prevent food spoilage.
Keeps the warehouse clean and notifies pest control if signs of infestation are present.
Safeguards USDA Foods from theft by securing the warehouse at the end of each shift.
During school holidays, such as winter holidays or summer, drivers may be assigned to other work units at the State that are doing substantially similar work.
Additionally, drivers may be assigned other duties within Food Distribution Programs such as assisting with physical inventory at food bank warehouses.

Benefits

PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
Employee Wellness program
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.