Company description

Food For Free is a Somerville-based non-profit dedicated to providing Greater Boston communities with consistent access to fresh and nutritious food. Founded in 1981 as one of the nation’s first food recovery organizations, we accomplish our mission through logistics, innovation, and partnerships with schools, colleges, community programs, corporations and other food organizations. Food For Free currently serves more than 197,000 Massachusetts residents facing food insecurity, distributing over 6.1 million pounds of nutritious fresh and prepared foods each year.

Food For Free is a flexible, innovative organization. We have an open, informal culture and believe deeply in transparency and integrity. Collaboration is at the heart of all that we do and it comes from a deep respect for one another, our community, and the people we serve.

Job description

The Program Specialist plays a hands-on, multifaceted role in supporting Food For Free's programs and daily operations. This position combines volunteer leadership, food packing and distribution, warehouse operations, and driving responsibilities. The ideal candidate is flexible, dependable, detail-oriented, and committed to working efficiently and safely while providing excellent service to our volunteers, food donors, community partners, and food recipients.

Program Support & Volunteer Leadership

• Lead 2-4 volunteer shifts per week, including Just Eats grocery box packing and bean packing sessions.
• Oversee the setup, breakdown, and organization of volunteer packing sessions, working alongside volunteer site captains to maintain an efficient and welcoming environment.
• Coordinate the movement of bulk food, supplies, and pallets of completed grocery boxes.
• Support the Just Roots program by assembling nutritionally appropriate food boxes for enrolled MassHealth members, with the potential to engage volunteers as the program grows.
• Assist with other food packing and distribution activities as needed.

Driving & Food Distribution

• Safely operate Food For Free vehicles, independently or as part of a two-person team, to support food recovery, deliveries, and program distribution.
• Deliver food boxes to Just Roots participants along assigned routes, communicating with recipients by phone as needed.
• Load and unload food, supplies, and equipment safely and efficiently.
• Use mobile devices to accurately record food acquisition and distribution data.
• Maintain clean, organized vehicles and follow all applicable safety regulations and driving procedures.
• Communicate route challenges, recipient feedback, and other issues to the Operations Administration

Warehouse Operations & Maintenance

• Assist with receiving deliveries, managing inventory, preparing orders, and organizing food and supplies.
• Help maintain a clean, safe, and organized working environment across Food For Free's production facilities, warehouse, cold storage areas, and vehicles.
• Support the ongoing maintenance and organization of equipment and production spaces, including proper disposal of trash, recycling, and compost.

Communication & Teamwork

• Build positive, professional relationships with volunteers, food donors, recipients, community partners, and colleagues.
• Communicate clearly and promptly with teammates and supervisors about program activities, operational challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Demonstrate Food For Free's organizational values through a commitment to teamwork, reliability, responsiveness, and service.
• Continuously identify opportunities to improve efficiency, safety, and program impact.
• Take on additional responsibilities as needed to support Food For Free's programs and operations.

Who You Are
These are guidelines. You may not meet every qualification listed or you may bring a valuable experience we have not yet considered. If your skills are transferable and you are in the ballpark, please apply.

• 0-5 years of relevant experience
• Willingness to become certified in the operation of electric pallet jacks
• Confidence and decisiveness balanced with an open, collaborative work ethic
• Follows instructions and procedures accurately and effectively
• Personal honesty and integrity
• Valid Drivers License & clean driving record required to fulfill job duties
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the day
• Able to utilize computers and mobile devices for daily record keeping
• Excellent interpersonal/relationship skills - a proactive communicator and comfortable working with people from diverse ethnic, educational, and professional backgrounds
• Commitment to social justice, and food justice in particular

Schedule and Working Conditions

• This is a non-exempt, full time, hourly position, with the expectation of 40 hours per week in-person. There is no remote option.

• Salary: $26.50 hourly

• Schedule: 7:00AM-3:30PM Monday through Friday, including a 30-minute unpaid lunch break. May include 1-2 11:00AM-7:30PM shifts per month.
• This position is physically demanding; must be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly, crouch and bend, work around heavy machinery, and endure extreme weather conditions
• Work in a closed vehicle
• Physical ability to perform tasks that may require prolonged standing, sitting, and other activities necessary to perform job duties
• Must be willing and able to work with volunteers of diverse backgrounds and varying abilities with minimal supervision
• Willingness to work in all weather conditions in all seasons, including inclement weather, extreme heat and cold

Why Work With Food For Free?

• Mission-driven work - every dollar raised provides healthy food for individuals and families who need it most
  Team collaboration - work with a passionate team dedicated to making a difference
• Food For Free offers generous benefits, including paid vacation, holidays, wellness days, and 403(b) retirement account & match.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

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Deadline

November 23, 2026