Program Coordinator-Food Access

VERMONT FOODBANK•Brattleboro, VT

5h•Hybrid

About The Position

As a member of the Food Access Programs team within the Community Impact Department, the Program Coordinator-Food Access is responsible for hands-on program support across the Vermont Foodbank’s Direct Distribution programs, including VeggieVanGo (VVG), School Pantry, SASH Housing Deliveries, and more. This position will primarily coordinate and support on-site VeggieVanGo events across the state of Vermont, while also contributing to the success and coordination of additional direct distribution programs. This coordinator provides field support, volunteer and logistics coordination, technical assistance, and community engagement at VVG events, while communicating emerging needs to the Senior Manager-Food Access Programs. The position works with a cross-departmental Direct Distribution team to ensure programs provide a welcoming, dignified, and safe service to people accessing food. This role will focus on monitoring, sustaining, and adapting direct distributions to meet ongoing needs in alignment with Vermont Foodbank’s strategic plan and organizational values. The coordinator will serve as a liaison between community partners and the Vermont Foodbank, working to build community responsiveness and ownership across programs. The Program Coordinator-Food Access role also encompasses special projects related to capacity, sustainability, and program improvement. This includes relationship-building and developing and improving program systems—such as program evaluation, reporting databases, resource development, standard operating procedures, and programmatic materials. The position is hybrid (preferably based out of our Brattleboro office) and field-based with a preference for commuting distance from the VF Brattleboro or Rutland distribution centers. Regular and weekly travel is a core part of the work as the role will be coordinating VVG events in locations across the state of Vermont. Administrative responsibilities may be completed remotely or from one of our Vermont Foodbank distribution sites. Sites can vary and change depending on the needs of that community. Events are outside throughout the year and will require working in the elements throughout the Vermont weather seasons. Building equity and racial justice into Vermont Foodbank’s organizational practices is everyone’s responsibility, and it requires the commitment and collaboration of every employee and team. Therefore, everyone is expected to honor diversity, contribute to an inclusive organizational culture, and leverage their own personal agency and scope of influence to center equity. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and seek to bring our values of diversity and inclusion to our hiring process. Beyond our commitment to non-discrimination, we encourage applications from candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our organization and who have lived experience of inequity. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities throughout the hiring process and employment.

Requirements

Work cooperatively with staff and volunteers to support the mission of the Foodbank to meet and sustain organizational goals.
Positively contribute to an organizational culture of safe and secure food handling, warehousing and distribution.
The food bank relies on volunteers everyday to fulfill our mission. All Foodbank employees must support our culture of philanthropy by treating every volunteer with appreciation and respect.
This position will occasionally be required to travel to other Foodbank locations and to attend required meetings, training, etc. Some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.
Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience, particularly in coordinating volunteers, working with diverse populations, community engagement work, or related field.
Bachelor’s degree or comparable work experience.
A proven track record of event management.
Experience working with remote teams desired.
Experience with monitoring and evaluating projects desired.
Ability to adapt to changing organizational and community priorities.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including active listening, participatory dialogue, and conflict resolution, with the ability to work effectively with community partners, donors, co-workers, volunteers, and the public.
Experience in community outreach and engagement, including people-centered programming and partnership building.
Ability to navigate ambiguity, manage change, troubleshoot challenges, make decisions with incomplete information, and handle risk and uncertainty.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to coordinate manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and accessibility across programs and services.
Self-motivated, with the ability to contribute effectively as part of a team.
Understanding of and alignment with the Vermont Foodbank’s mission and vision, with a commitment to serving people experiencing hunger and poverty.
Ability to manage stress and maintain balance between work responsibilities and self-care.
Strong systems thinking, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Flexibility with work hours and ability to travel regularly.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Access to a reliable vehicle for travel to in-person events, meetings, and other duties.
Excellent communication in customer-facing role within predominantly English-speaking communities.
Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other emerging platforms.
A valid Driver’s License.
3-year motor vehicle report (MVR) showing a clean driving record.
ServSafe Certification or the ability to obtain.

Nice To Haves

Bi-Lingual applicants strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Coordinate, organize, support, and implement VeggieVanGo food distributions across the state of Vermont. This includes field support and ongoing communication with site sponsor coordinators, VF staff, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
Contribute to a high level of customer service and help foster a safe, welcoming, and dignified experience for participants at VVG events.
Support volunteer recruitment efforts for assigned VVG events and assist the VF Volunteer Services Manager with volunteer appreciation, as well as on-site orientation, training, and support.
Support efforts to create and maintain a safety-focused and positive food distribution event.
Maintain regular, clear, and open communication with Senior Manager of Food Access Programs, VF staff, and a larger number of community stakeholders related to VVG events and food access programs.
Build community relationships and networks to support program sustainability and increase food access within communities.
Adapt fresh food distributions in response to emergent community need—ensuring program feedback is represented in programmatic decisions.
Act as a liaison between community sites and internal VF systems, implementing solutions that work for varied needs and communicating decisions transparently.
Provide technical, research, and communications support to the Senior Manager of Food Access Programs to help establish and sustain effective operations across food access programs.
Attend meetings and trainings with VF staff and community partners to support organizational learning and continuous quality improvement across food access and intersecting VF programs.
Working in close collaboration with a team in special projects related to capacity, sustainability, and ongoing program improvements. This may include creating and streamlining program systems; developing resource-sharing platforms; strengthening organization-wide communication channels; and improving data access for reporting and donor communications.
Respond to Food Access program inquiries by connecting neighbors to program information and additional resources, both within the Vermont Foodbank and across Vermont.
Promote a culture of health and safety at events and adhere to all established food safety procedures. This includes ensuring the safety and comfort of staff, volunteers, and participants by upholding and reinforcing on-site safety protocols.
In instances of a federally, state, or locally declared emergency, Vermont Foodbank is typically considered an essential service and emergency responder; all employees may be called upon to perform regular or emergent duties.
Work on other projects and duties as assigned by Senior Manager- Food Access Programs