Food Waste Reduction Coordinator

UVA Health•Charlottesville, VA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Virginia is seeking a motivated, collaborative, and highly organized Food Waste Reduction Coordinator for a three-year term, grant-funded position. This position is a unique opportunity to make a direct impact, helping UVA work toward an aspiration of sending zero food to landfills through food waste prevention, food rescue, and composting. The Food Waste Reduction Coordinator will play a key role in advancing the University's sustainability goals. The position will report to Business Services and will work closely with the Office for Sustainability, which manages the food waste reduction grant. UVA Dine, which reports to Business Services, will serve as the primary operational partner in implementing food waste reduction initiatives across the University. Additional collaborators include, but are not limited to students, Facilities Management, Aramark Sports & Entertainment, local composting service providers, and community partners. Over three years, the Food Waste Reduction Coordinator will be responsible for implementing a portfolio of food waste initiatives specifically outlined and funded by UVA’s 2026 Food Recovery grant from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). In addition to implementation, this role will help track and report expenses, progress, and measurable food waste reduction to the DEQ. This position is ideal for an individual passionate about both sustainability and community engagement, who enjoys hands-on project management, developing partnerships with campus stakeholders, and the opportunity to shape an emerging program.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Two or more years of relevant professional experience, such as sustainability program coordination, food systems work, student engagement, waste management, or related roles.
Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders, such as coordinating project implementation, building partnerships, conducting trainings, or delivering educational outreach.
Strong communication and writing skills.
Demonstrated ability to work independently using a high level of analytical, problem-solving, process, and people skills.
Ability to work evenings/weekends as requested (e.g., home football games, special events) is required.
Ability to lift 25–40 pounds. This role blends office-based coordination with hands-on field work in dining halls, stadiums, restaurants, and outdoor areas. The Food Waste Reduction Coordinator will routinely move carts, bins, signage, and equipment, and will support program setup and breakdown at events and recovery sites.
Primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers.
Occasionally requires traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Nice To Haves

Experience working within or understanding of large organizations, particularly at a university, is highly preferred.
Knowledge of food waste reduction strategies, food rescue programs, or composting processes.
Familiarity with waste audits, data collection, and sustainability reporting.
Experience collaborating with students and student-led organizations.
Comfort with hands-on fieldwork in kitchens, stadiums, and event environments.

Responsibilities

Develop workflows and coordinate logistics with UVA Dine and food rescue staff/volunteers for increasing the amount of food rescued from dining halls and the football stadium, including ordering equipment and training dining and concessions staff, student volunteers, and event staff on food recovery procedures and zero waste practices.
Implement and maintain contracts for new food waste tracking hardware and software (e.g. Metafoodx or Streamline).
Analyze data, prepare summaries, and recommend improvements to operations.
Purchase, install, and maintain composting signage and infrastructure and coordinate with Black Bear Composting to expand Front of House and Back of House compost collection services for restaurants and event spaces.
Support the Office for Sustainability Outreach & Engagement staff in designing and delivering food waste reduction programs, workshops, and outreach events for students, including leading awareness campaigns (digital, tabling, hall outreach, peer networks) that highlight the importance of food waste reduction.
Report progress and next steps weekly to the Office for Sustainability.
Hold weekly communication/coordination meetings with UVA Dine, Concessions, OFS, and Business Services stakeholders, reporting on progress.
Provide data and progress updates for required grant quarterly reports - summarizing program outcomes, trends, and key insights.
Conduct ongoing training and onboarding sessions with UVA Dine and Concessions staff related to food waste reduction and zero waste practices.
Strengthen existing food waste initiatives or pilot new initiatives as opportunities are identified, in partnership with stakeholders.