Food Systems Assistant (Part-Time)

Riverdale Neighborhood House; New York (NY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Riverdale Neighborhood House seeks a part-time Food Systems Assistant to support operations, education, and administration across all food access programs—distributions, the community fridge, youth market, volunteer activities, and educational programs.

Working closely with the Food Systems Manager and volunteers, you will manage day-to-day logistics, participant engagement, and events, while helping measure program impact and maintain data.

Qualifications

• Experience with mutual aid, food distributions, or other organizing experience.
• Interest in community building, cooking, and food justice.
• Strong interpersonal, communication (verbal and written) and relationship building skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee weekly Tuesday produce distributions including set-up, break-down, volunteer management, customer service and program development to foster community connections
• Support food systems operations through tasks like participant outreach (e.g. emails and calls), inventorying, ensuring upkeep of spaces & organizational systems
• Support monitoring of quantitative and qualitative impact of food programs by maintaining database and facilitating participant feedback
• Provide support at events such as community cafe, cook day, and the monthly food pantry
• Assist with the maintenance of The Neighborhood Fridge through cleaning, food procurement, and daily operations and organization
• Help facilitate food justice programs at existing events such as food distributions and in collaboration with existing RNH programs serving ages 3 years and up
• Support the farm stand with staffing and community outreach
• Collaborate with Food Systems Manager, volunteers and other staff to develop and implement new programming to expand food justice and RNH's mission

Skills

Mutual aid

Community building

Interpersonal communication

Google Workspace

Fast-paced environment

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Google Docs

Google Sheets

Job description

The Food Systems Assistant will help ensure the growth and success of RNH's food access work

with a focus on creating participant-led programming that centers community connections.

Working closely with the Food Systems Manager, the Assistant will support operations, education,

and administrative work across all food access programs, including food distributions, the

community fridge, meal preparation and packing, youth market, volunteer activities, and

educational programs.

The Food Systems Assistant will play a lead role in RNH's weekly produce distributions, helping

to manage day-of logistics, volunteers and participant engagement. Additionally the Food

Systems Assistant will support educational initiatives by facilitating food justice programming

across age groups, both with internal RNH groups and external partners. The Assistant will work

closely with the Food Systems Manager and volunteers to develop and implement new programs

responsive to community needs. They will also be responsible for measuring impact across food

programs, including maintaining metrics and reporting.

This position requires organizational and customer service skills, a passion for food justice, and

an eagerness for hands‑on work. A "can do" attitude is essential as well as creativity, humor and

a commitment to responsive, justice oriented, community‑led programming.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee weekly Tuesday produce distributions including set‑up, break‑down, volunteer management, customer service and program development to foster community connections
• Support food systems operations through tasks like participant outreach (e.g. emails and calls), inventorying, ensuring upkeep of spaces & organizational systems
• Support monitoring of quantitative and qualitative impact of food programs by maintaining database and facilitating participant feedback
• Provide support at events such as community cafe, cook day, and the monthly food pantry
• Assist with the maintenance of The Neighborhood Fridge through cleaning, food procurement, and daily operations and organization
• Help facilitate food justice programs at existing events such as food distributions and in collaboration with existing RNH programs serving ages 3 years and up
• Support the farm stand with staffing and community outreach
• Collaborate with Food Systems Manager, volunteers and other staff to develop and implement new programming to expand food justice and RNH's mission

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with mutual aid, food distributions, or other organizing experience
• Interest in community building, cooking, and food justice
• Strong interpersonal, communication (verbal and written) and relationship building skills
• Ability to work productively in a fast‑paced environment with frequent interruptions
• Proficiency in Google Workplace (particularly Docs & Sheets)
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Successful Background Check and State Central Registry clearances required

WORK CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequent traveling around the RNH campus and to local vendors as required.
• This position requires regular physical activity, including walking, standing, climbing stairs, and lifting objects up to 50 pounds.
• This position requires working outdoors in all weather (rain, heat, snow)

WORK SCHEDULE:

20-22 hours per week, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and choice of

Thursdays or Sundays

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This part‑time position pays $20-22/hr commensurate

with experience.