Company description

Boston Area Gleaners is committed to increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables across our communities while supporting our region’s family farms and reducing systemic food waste. We focus on meeting the immediate needs of families who lack access to affordable, healthy food while also addressing the systemic causes of food insecurity. We also own and operate Stonefield Farm in Acton, Massachusetts.

Job description

About

The Volunteer Leader works with Operations Management to lead on-site volunteer activities, mainly involving repacking gleaned produce and packing Stonefield produce. The Volunteer Leader should pack the greatest quantity of the highest quality produce possible, maximize efficiency of the onsite repacking process, and meet daily goals outlined by Operations Management while providing volunteers with strong leadership and a positive experience. This job posting is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope and nature of the work.

Expected Schedule

Mid May – Mid December: Average schedule of 40-45 hours/ week (4-day work week)

Benefits & Pay

Paid sick time, paid wellness days, paid holidays, cell phone stipend, gear reimbursement, retirement benefits, & seasonal produce. The pay range for this position is $23 - $26/ hour and overtime (1.5x hourly rate) is paid for time worked over 40 hours/ week.

Required Skills & Experience

● At least two years of experience leading groups of volunteers

● Strong verbal communication skills; must be able to receive and give verbal instructions effectively

● Experience setting an efficient pace for groups and motivating them towards a common goal

● The ability (and desire) to repeatedly lift 50lbs and be on your feet all day

● Able to work in a variety of weather conditions from hot, humid summer days to cold, wet fall days

● A fun, energetic, team-oriented attitude

Preferred Skills & Experience

● Knowledge of local fruit and vegetable varieties, produce quality, and proper storage conditions

● Basic Smart Phone competency

● First Aid knowledge (training is provided)

● Basic mechanical competency (training is provided)

● Ability to operate pump jacks and power jacks (training is providing)

Primary Responsibilities

Volunteer Management

● Lead volunteers on-site; Manage and direct volunteers with varying levels of experience to ensure the personal safety of volunteers

● Instruct volunteers on proper handling, packing, safety, and quality standards during repacks and harvests

● Motivate groups of volunteers to achieve goals while maintaining a positive volunteer experience

Trip Management

● Set up for on-site volunteer trips, In collaboration with Operations Management

● Clean up from all on-site volunteer trips, according to the standard procedures and complete accurate trip-related paperwork

● Maintain organization and safety of the space throughout the duration of the trip

● Accommodate day-of adjustments to the schedule or packing plan and continually address bottlenecks and pinch points within trip activities, making adjustments in the moment

● Prepare for the next day’s trips and communicate with the Operations Team, what supplies are needed for upcoming trips

● Collaborate with Operations Management to help prioritize volunteer activities and other operational needs

● Communicate with day-of volunteers

● Effectively communicate schedule and changes with the Operations Team

Product Quality and Safety Standards

● Ensure safe and proper product handling in accordance with the Gleaners’ food safety plan by following all policies and procedures as outlined

● Uphold BAG quality standards for all products, including monitoring product quality throughout packs; Any quality concerns should be brought to the attention of Operations Management

● Clearly communicate product quality standards and packing/culling guidelines to volunteers at the beginning of the pack and throughout the process, adjusting instructions as needed during the pack

Operational Support

● Assist with inventory management including product flow, storage, rotation, and movement across multiple storage locations

● In collaboration with Operations Management, address bottlenecks and pinch points within operational activities

● Advance operations by continuously improving systems, process flows, and food safety standards

Equipment Operation

● Operate manual pump jacks and electric power jacks as needed (training is provided and required)

● Operating pack line equipment (training is provided and required)

● Operating sanitation equipment according to standard procedures (training is provided and required)

● Practice safe measures learned during the Gleaners’ equipment trainings; Stay alert to surroundings and communicate to people around you whenever operating equipment

● Contribute to the Gleaners’ culture of safety, always acknowledge and mitigate risk whenever possible

Additional Responsibilities

● Assist with Stonefield packing (including harvesting, sorting, washing and packing) with or without an associated volunteer trip

Compensation

this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $23.00 - $26.00

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline