Sustainability Projects CCAC Fellow

Foodbank of Santa Barbara County • Goleta, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) Fellowship is an AmeriCorps service program that’s part of a California statewide initiative to address and mitigate the effects of climate change. Annually, they match 400+ Fellows with public agencies, Tribes, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations across California for an 11-month Fellowship to mobilize community members to take direct climate action through education, volunteer mobilization, and assessment focused on urban greening, wildfire resiliency, and organic waste diversion and edible food recovery. The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County (Foodbank) is committed to being on the forefront in community leadership, by inviting members of our community into our organization and giving them significant responsibility and involvement in running programs, committees and organizational activities. By doing so, we can scale our activities to a degree sufficient to end hunger and transform the health of the community through good nutrition. As food insecurity continues to increase in the community, the Foodbank is expanding our Sustainability Program to ensure food is effectively redistributed to low-income populations throughout Santa Barbara County, while educating the community on how our work aligns with sustainability and climate change. This is a hands-on position that requires daily work in both warehouse and orchard settings. Fellows will engage directly with the physical aspects of food recovery and distribution, including harvesting produce from backyards and orchards, sorting and handling food in the warehouse, and preparing items for immediate redistribution. Fellows will work cross-departmentally to support the four key initiatives under our Sustainability Program: Backyard Bounty and Grocery Rescue: Volunteer-powered food rescue and edible food recovery programs where fresh produce and non-perishable food are rescued from backyards, orchards, and grocery stores, then rapidly redirected through our distribution networks. Gardening Education Program: A hands-on educational initiative introducing local youth to sustainability, soil health, and crop production through direct gardening experience. Compost Program: Operating industrial composters at each location to minimize food waste and promote environmental stewardship. Each of these programs offers significant growth potential as both food rescue efforts and community educational resources. Our goal is to increase awareness and participation in food recovery and expand the volume of fresh produce and non-perishables distributed to those in need.

Requirements

• Customer service, volunteer management, or nonprofit experience
• Knowledge about Organic Waste & Edible Food Recovery
• Ability and willingness to actively assist (hands-on) in volunteer activities
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and across departments
• Ability to project enthusiasm and positivity about the Foodbank and its work in the community
• Proficient and effective in verbal communication skills, including speaking in front of groups and engaging with individuals one-on-one
• Ability to self-direct and complete tasks with minimal oversight
• General computer, tech, and software proficiency
• Lifting up to 50 pounds
• Standing, sitting, walking, bending, reaching, and climbing
• Comfortable working in a warehouse environment
• California Driver’s License
• Ability to meet deadlines while managing multiple tasks and requests
• Able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of volunteer recruitment, supervision, training and retention practices a plus

Responsibilities

• Lead the Backyard Bounty (BYB) program: manage gleaning events, recruit and train new volunteers, work with current donors and identify new properties to glean.
• Educate the community on backyard harvesting, donating to the Foodbank, and sustainable garden/orchard maintenance.
• Lead the Grocery Rescue program: manage, recruit, and train new volunteers for daily Grocery Rescue shifts; work with Operations team to improve processes; train volunteers on donor relationships and the program's health and environmental benefits.
• Support the HarvestHub Garden: manage garden volunteers and oversee garden operations, including pest control, inventory, soil health, growing kid-friendly crops, and more.
• Support Compost Operations: manage, recruit and train new volunteers; support daily operations
• Develop an education plan and outreach materials to highlight the benefits of sustainability programs, SB 1383, and food rescue.
• Educate partners, donors, volunteers, and the community through events like Earth Day, school fairs, and more.
• Track and analyze program data to measure climate impact.

Benefits

• Access ongoing professional training opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Utilize our Employee Assistance Program for personal and work-related counseling and support, ensuring you have the resources you need to thrive.

What This Job Offers

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