Summer Program Assistant Jobs

Part-time Summer Program Assistant (16 hrs per week, Thursdays & Fridays)

Work period: 22 June 2023 – 8 September 2023 (some flexibility)

Apply by 12 June 2023

Compensation & Benefits

• Significant opportunities for professional development
• $24.50/hr (16 hrs/week, Thursdays & Fridays)

PLEASE NOTE: this position is based in Vancouver and requires regular access to a vehicle!

About Vancouver Food Runners

Vancouver Food Runners (VFR) is an innovative registered charity with a technology, logistics, and volunteer model that aims to address food insecurity and promote sustainability by preventing surplus food from entering the waste stream and instead redirect it to nearby nonprofits providing critical community food programming and supportive services. VFR volunteers are currently delivering 85,000+ pounds of food each month (70,000+ equivalent meals), and the program is scaling. VFR also collaborates with local initiatives and organizations to strengthen Vancouver’s circular economy and advance policy and program solutions aimed at creating equitable, sustainable, and resilient food systems. Learn more about VFR’s program through this short video and VFR’s 2022 Annual Report.

About the Position

Vancouver Food Runners is hiring a part-time Summer Program Assistant for Thursdays and Fridays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (16 hrs/week) for the 2023 summer (employment period: 22 June 2023 to 8 September 2023). Regular access to a vehicle is required for this position.

This is an exciting opportunity to join an emerging and dynamic team dedicated to making a difference in the community. The Program Assistant will support the VFR team with the following areas of work: program logistics, including food rescues when needed; volunteer recruitment and stewardship; and food donor recruitment and stewardship. The Program Assistant will report to the Program Coordinator.

Responsibilities

Program Logistics (70%)

The Program Assistant will support the VFR team with the following areas of work:

• Contact/visit key staff at food business and nonprofit locations to ensure smooth, problem-free food donation collection and delivery experiences (and swiftly communicate any delays or issues that may arise to the relevant parties)
• Help to strategically direct food from food businesses to the best possible nonprofit beneficiary
• Collecting, managing, and updating logistics information in VFR’s app system and spreadsheets
• Daily communications with food businesses, volunteers, and nonprofit partners
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with food businesses, volunteers, and nonprofits
• Participate in food rescues when they are not claimed
• Inform the Program Coordinator/Program Manager of any problems or issues in a timely manner

Volunteer and Food Business Recruitment, Engagement, and Stewardship (30%) The Program Assistant will support the VFR team with the following areas of work:

• Maintain volunteer and food business information in VFR’s database/spreadsheets
• Organize activities and events to engage, celebrate, and educate VFR’s volunteers
• Implement VFR’s multi-pronged volunteer recruitment, engagement, and stewardship initiatives
• Implement VFR’s multi-pronged food business recruitment, engagement, and stewardship initiatives

Perform other job-related duties or special projects as required

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 2+ years of experience in an organization working/volunteering on social and/or environmental issues
• Valid BC driver’s license (class 5)
• 2+ years of post-secondary education

Required Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Enthusiastic about working in a fluid, fast-paced start-up environment
• Proficient computer skills, including the ability to use MS Office
• Strong personal work ethic and a desire to take pride in assigned work
• Must be willing to travel throughout Vancouver (regular access to a vehicle is required for this position)
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills
• A sincere and deep commitment to VFR’s mission of reducing food waste and food insecurity as well as advancing a just, equitable, and resilient food system

Interested candidates should send a resume and short cover letter to Michelle Reining, Executive Director: [email protected]

Please send your application by 12 June 2023.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If possible, please share this job posting widely with your networks. Thank you!

Vancouver Food Runners operates on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional homelands of the xwməθkwəy̓əm(Musqueam),Skwxwú7mesh(Squamish),andSəlílw̓ ətaʔ/Selilwitulh(Tsleil- Waututh) Nations. We aim to work in partnership with the Coast Salish peoples to advance a just, equitable, resilient, and sustainable food system and increase Indigenous food sovereignty.