Distribution Volunteer Coordinator

Essential Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement and evaluate volunteer-based systems for Growing Places distribution program including updating volunteer procedures, strategies and materials (recruitment, orientation, retention, appreciation, and evaluation);
• Work with community partners to create sustainable systems for volunteer recruitment and engagement at Growing Places.
• Pilot new procedures and systems that advance food equity and access in North Central MA related to distribution: Key elements include:
  • Establish partner communication for volunteer engagement in distribution systems with farmers and institutions;
  • Recruit and coordinate volunteers for Growing Places distribution program;
  • Scale and integrate volunteer driven distribution procedures that include picking up/delivering
    produce from local farms for delivery to Growing Places warehouse, local institutions, and home
    delivery participants; building capacity of the Mobile Market; and optimizing delivery routes with volunteers;
• Maintain the Salesforce database for volunteers participating in distribution programs and support the volunteer evaluation and appreciation process;
• Grow the SNAP/HIP (Healthy Incentives Program) and institutional customer base to support the local food system and resident health and wellbeing.
• Complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of service, serving through June 24, 2023.
• Attend a minimum of 6 Commonwealth Corps trainings and service events held by MSA post orientation.
• Participate in a minimum of 1 hour of MSA-related activities each week. This may include filling out timesheets, completing a bi-monthly reflection or check-in, or other MSA-related tasks or activities.

Marginal Responsibilities:

• Participate in Local Food Works and HEAL Winchendon coalition meetings.
• Provide periodic volunteer program reports to demonstrate progress.
• Be a part of the greater Commonwealth Corps community, including participating in cross-site learning groups, writing a short profile for the CC newsletter, connecting with other members on our online platforms, and attending optional social/service events.

Leominster, MA

• Stipend of $1100 semi-monthly while in service, up to $23,100 minus taxes and withholdings;
• Health insurance (individual coverage only);
• Member assistance program, including unlimited, confidential, 24/7, phone counseling services and up to three free, in-person counseling sessions, plus a lot more;
• Completion award of up to $4000 upon successful completion of service, minus taxes and withholdings;
• Reimbursement for outside training or professional development opportunities relevant to member’s service and/or goals (Up to $100; Dependent on approval from MSA);
• A monthly Growing Places CSA share and garden space in the staff garden;
• Extensive training from MSA with a diversity, equity and inclusion focus and other professional development opportunities;
• Limited reimbursement for travel to Corps-wide MSA-sponsored activities;
• Internet reimbursement up to $50/month while required to complete some service from home;
• Limited travel reimbursement from their host site for certain service-related travel away from their usual service location, according to that agency's policies;
• Mental Health/Personal Day once per month counting towards 8hrs;
• The opportunity for at least 10 days of planned absences (may include holidays, does not count towards hours requirement);

You must be:

• A Massachusetts resident (see guidelines here) with legal authorization to work in the U.S.
• 18 years of age at minimum (average member age range is 18 – 70+ years old)
• Excited to give back to your community and interested in developing your skills and gaining new professional experiences
• Able to balance service internship commitments with personal commitments in a sustainable way
• Interested in building knowledge/skills within local food systems with an equity focus.
• Demonstrate good people skills and be eager to grow the program with Growing Places support.
• Able to provide quality customer service in a volunteer setting, i.e., maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward our volunteers at all times.
• Willing to plan and support volunteer-based local food delivery routes in a large geography.
• Comfortable using the Internet, and email applications such as Outlook or Gmail, and word processing software such as MS Office Word.
• Have a valid driver’s license and the ability to lift 25+ pounds.

It would also be great if you:

• Have lived experience as a volunteer yourself or with leading volunteers previously.
• Had familiarity with MS Office Excel or other data management software.
• Speak a language other than English -- multi-lingual candidates encouraged to apply – Spanish/English preferred.
• Have familiarity North Central MA