Food Safety & Sanitation Associate

Community Health Action of Staten Island • New York, NY

7d • $37,000 - $42,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Food Safety & Sanitation Associate is responsible for maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness, sanitation, and food safety throughout pantry, warehouse, storage, and vehicle operations. This role ensures that all food handling environments remain clean, safe, and compliant with organizational policies and food safety regulations to prevent contamination and protect client health.
In addition to intensive cleaning and sanitation duties, the Food Safety & Sanitation Associate supports receiving and stocking operations by inspecting, sorting, and removing spoiled or damaged food to prevent cross-contamination. This position plays a critical role in maintaining safe food storage, clean facilities, and an orderly environment for staff, volunteers, and clients.

The above is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions, and the essential requirements for the performance of the job it is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of all the job functions.

Requirements

• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, and reach for extended periods.
• Ability to perform repetitive cleaning tasks, including mopping, wiping, scrubbing, and lifting.
• Ability to work in varying temperatures, including refrigerated and freezer environments.
• Ability to operate cleaning equipment such as mops, power washers, hand trucks, and pallet jacks (training provided).
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions as required.
• Must have a flexible schedule.

Nice To Haves

• Some prior experience in food service, sanitation, warehouse, or custodial work.
• Knowledge of basic food safety principles and sanitation practices.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to cleanliness and safety.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 50 pounds on a regular basis.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, and reach for extended periods.
• Ability to operate pallet jacks, hand trucks, and other warehouse equipment (training provided).
• Ability to work in varying temperatures, including refrigerated and freezer environments.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks while maintaining attention to detail and safety.

Responsibilities

• Maintain strict food safety and sanitation standards across all pantry and warehouse areas.
• Inspect food items during receiving, sorting, and stocking to identify spoiled, damaged, or expired products.
• Remove, isolate, and properly dispose of rotten or unsafe food to prevent contamination of other items.
• Clean and sanitize food contact surfaces and storage areas according to food safety protocols.
• Support receiving and stocking staff by assisting with food sorting and ensuring proper separation of safe and unsafe items.
• Clean and sanitize all pantry and warehouse surfaces, including: Chairs, tables, counters, and shelving.
• Storage racks and pallet areas.
• Walls, doors, handles, and high-touch surfaces.
• Clean and sanitize refrigerators and freezers, including: Shelving, gaskets, doors, and handles.
• Spill cleanup and ice or residue removal.
• Routine deep cleaning as scheduled.
• Sweep, mop, and sanitize floors throughout pantry, warehouse, storage, and distribution areas.
• Respond immediately to spills to prevent slip hazards and contamination.
• Power wash designated areas, including loading docks, sidewalks, trash areas, and outdoor pantry spaces as needed.
• Break down cardboard boxes, remove packaging materials, and maintain organized recycling and trash areas.
• Ensure trash and compost areas are clean, organized, and serviced regularly.
• Clean and sanitize agency vehicles used for food transport,
• Assist with maintaining vehicles in clean, food-safe condition before and after food pickups and deliveries.
• Report vehicle sanitation issues or maintenance needs to supervisors.
• Assist with receiving and stocking activities as needed, including: Cleaning incoming food items when appropriate.
• Wiping down cases, cans, and containers before storage.
• Ensuring storage areas remain clean during active operations.
• Maintain organized storage areas to reduce pest risk and improve food safety.
• Support setup and breakdown of pantry operations, including cleaning before and after distribution.
• Follow all organizational food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety policies.
• Use approved cleaning supplies, disinfectants, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Adhere to proper chemical handling and storage procedures.
• Report safety hazards, pest issues, or sanitation concerns immediately.
• Support compliance with food safety guidelines, inspections, and audits.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, and reach for extended periods.
• Ability to perform repetitive cleaning tasks, including mopping, wiping, scrubbing, and lifting.
• Ability to work in varying temperatures, including refrigerated and freezer environments.
• Ability to operate cleaning equipment such as mops, power washers, hand trucks, and pallet jacks (training provided).
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions as required.

Benefits

• generous paid time off (4 weeks of vacation plus paid holidays, personal, and sick time)
• medical, dental, vision
• supplemental benefits including employer provided basic life insurance and employee assistance programs
• tuition reimbursement and fitness reimbursement after 1 year of employment
• a retirement plan that includes employer matching

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed