Giving Farm Volunteer Coordinator

Orange County Food Bank; Westminster (CO); On-site; USD 32,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Action Partnership Orange County (CAP OC) is seeking a Giving Farm Volunteer Coordinator to oversee the Westminster-based Giving Farm program in collaboration with Westminster High School. The role focuses on recruiting, onboarding, training, and supporting volunteers while ensuring a safe, EPIC experience.

The on-site position requires daily oversight five days a week, including two Saturdays monthly, with no remote option.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• At least one year of experience working with volunteers or nonprofit experience.
• Agriculture experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Schedules, coordinates, supervises, and ensures adequate volunteer numbers.
• Recruit volunteers and respond to inquiries; coordinate corporate groups.
• Train volunteers and staff for onsite coverage.
• Plan large-scale volunteer events.
• Oversee online volunteer registration.
• Maintain safety and compliance on farm operations.
• Coordinate interns and AmeriCorps/Vista Fellows.
• Support farm and warehouse duties as needed.
• Report safety incidents to supervisor.

Skills

Volunteer coordination

Public speaking

Customer service

Leadership

Training

Education

High school diploma or GED

Volunteer experience in nonprofit

Agriculture experience preferred

Tools

Primarius software

Microsoft Office

Job description

OUR EXCITING OPPORTUNITY

Community Action Partnership has an exciting opportunity for

Giving Farm Volunteer Coordinator

Under the direction of the Food Bank Senior Warehouse Manager, the Giving Farm Volunteer Coordinator will coordinate the Giving Farm volunteer program, a collaborative student farm site in Westminster in a partnership with Community Action Partnership of Orange County (CAP OC) and Westminster High School. The Giving Farm Volunteer Coordinator will ensure that volunteers have a rewarding and productive experience while representing CAP OC at Westminster High School. Note that the primary work site is at the farm at Westminster High School. Only when duties and needs on the farm allow, this position may also assist with other volunteer-related activities within the Food Bank Department at the main warehouse site in Garden Grove.

WHAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH IN THIS ROLE

The Giving Farm Volunteer Coordinator provides onsite daily oversight of the Giving Farm volunteers, including recruiting, onboarding, training, communicating expectations and ensuring a safe environment. Additionally, this position also trains OC Food Bank staff for onsite Giving Farm back-up to ensure coverage when the Giving Farm Volunteer Coordinator is out sick or on vacation. This role will recruit volunteers to satisfy the total number of volunteers needed to ensure farm product is harvested when ready. The Giving Farm Volunteer Coordinator may collaborate with the CAP OC Development Department regarding the schedule of corporate volunteer teams. The Giving Farm Volunteer Coordinator will utilize the CAP OC Volunteer Hub software platform for the management and recruitment of volunteers. This position will collaborate with the Westminster High School Farm Manager and VIP Coordinator to maximize student engagement for all farm-related volunteer activities.

This position works onsite five (5) days per week, including two (2) Saturdays per month. When working on a Saturday, a weekday is taken off in the same week. A remote or hybrid schedule is not offered.

The rate for this position is $23.00 - $25.00 per hour.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

VOLUNTEER-RELATED:

• Schedules, coordinates, supervises, and ensures an appropriate number of volunteers are scheduled to complete Giving Farm needs relative to planting, harvesting, weeding, general maintenance and pickup schedule.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for volunteer needs at The Giving Farm by working with the Westminster High School Giving Farm Manager, the school VIP Coordinator, and the CAP OC Development Department (on any corporate volunteer groups they have referred) to ensure all volunteers have an EPIC experience.
• Greets, trains, and oversees the work of volunteers at the Giving Farm; when not possible to be at The Giving Farm, informs the Volunteer Manager to ensure proper coverage.
• Proactively seeks opportunities to speak to community groups (i.e., corporations, schools, faith communities, service clubs and organizations) regarding volunteer opportunities at The Giving Farm and CAP OC Food Bank.
• Recruits volunteers and responds timely to emails and phone calls regarding volunteer opportunities; takes the lead on any corporate volunteer groups the Development Department refers to the farm.
• Utilizes the CAP OC Volunteer Handbook and other volunteer materials as training tools.
• Ensures all volunteers have the necessary onboarding and training to successfully meet targets and do so in a safe environment while working in a farm setting.
• Plans, coordinates, and oversees large scale volunteer events.
• Updates and coordinates an online volunteer registration system on the CAP OC Volunteer software platform.
• Tracks and reports service hours of all Giving Farm and OC Food Bank volunteers and produce harvested and donated to the Food Bank or sold.
• Ensures customer service is maintained in a manner reflective of the spirit of the Agency’s Mission, Vision, and Community Action Promise.
• Prioritizes providing Westminster High School students the first right to volunteer at The Giving Farm.
• Supports corporate and donor visits to The Giving Farm by providing tours and explanation of the program benefit to students, Westminster High School, and CAP OC.
• Supports any guest speakers coming to present at the academic programs associated with The Giving Farm through coordination with Westminster High School.
• Other duties as assigned.

COORDINATOR-RELATED:

• Schedules, prepares agendas, and leads regular meetings with The Giving Farm partners.
• Coordinates the long term and short-term volunteers at The Giving Farm as well as assigned interns, and any AmeriCorps or Vista Fellows, that might be assigned to the Giving Farm.
• Interviews and retains assigned fellows and assigned staff.
• Advises and recommends necessary changes or modifications to current work procedures to ensure the safety and efficient work of all volunteers.
• Ensures assigned volunteers are following all CAP OC and Westminster High School policies, procedures, and guidelines, including all safety standards and procedures.
• Reports any issues with volunteers to the Food Bank Senior Warehouse Manager by end of day of the incident.
• Represents The Giving Farm on the CAP OC Risk Assessment Committee to report safety incidents and needs.
• Meets any and all grant commitments associated with The Giving Farm; provides reports and writes narratives to assist with the support of pre and post grant submissions.
• Other duties as assigned.

WAREHOUSE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WORKING AT THE FOOD BANK (ONLY IF GIVING FARM DUTIES ALLOW):

• Contributes to the safe handling of food by volunteers by ensuring health standards are met, food stored properly.
• Provides training in warehouse and food storage procedures to volunteers, including safe work practices and ensuring federal, state, and local regulations of safe food storage are in compliance on a consistent basis.
• Performs hands‑on duties of using a pallet jack and/or other light equipment as needed to support staff with proper resources.
• Provides hands‑on training in the safe and proper use of lifting methods and other warehouse matters.
• Other related duties as assigned.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE HAS KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN

• Coordinating, supervising, and motivating diverse groups of volunteers, to work collaboratively together to meet participant/client needs and agency goals.
• Strong interpersonal, public speaking, and customer service skills.
• Being a leader and the face of a large organization to outside partners and volunteer groups.
• Techniques related to volunteer recruitment, supervision, and recognition.
• Strong time management skills, working effectively within demanding time constraints.
• Problem solving/analysis in order to resolve short‑term problems and anticipate possible long‑term problems.
• Effective communication and training skills, and an ability to work with a diverse set of individuals and groups of varying background, age, and ability to complete projects as part of a team.
• Understanding, applying and complying with health and safety regulations of an operating farm.
• Managing inventory, running reports, and ensuring accuracy of information input.
• Safe operation of heavy equipment such as forklifts and electric pallet jacks, other warehouse procedures such as Cal OSHA compliance, safe lifting methods, prevention of work‑related injury and/or illness.

IDEAL CANDIDATE MUST BE

• Customer Service focused: Establishes rapport with fellows, staff, volunteers, volunteer resources, and participants from culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Ethically focused: Understands ethical behavior and business practices and ensures own behavior and the behavior of others are consistent with these standards and in alignment with the values of the organization.
• Inclusive: Works cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• A Strong Leader: Positively influences others to achieve results that are in the best interest of CAP OC.
• Creative/Innovative: Develops new and unique ways to improve the standing of the department and looks for new opportunities.
• Collaborative: Works collaboratively in a team environment both internally and externally with the capability to negotiate success outcomes for all parties; represents CAP OC needs well with the high school.
• A Strong Planner/Organizer: Consistently demonstrates planning, organizational, execution and delivery skills for projects, events, and reports to be delivered on time, within budget and achieving intended results.
• Work focused: Is detailed oriented while working accurately and efficiently on a consistent basis without assistance. May require working weekends, evenings, and holidays when/if needed to meet goals and/or grant demands. Workdays and hours of work are subject to change.
• Mathematical: Writes, composes, and completes mathematical calculations correctly and in a timely manner. Composes and compiles numbers, statistical data, and obtains other information for forms, reports, and presentations.
• Computer literate: Competently uses the Internet, Web based databases, inventory systems (Primarius experience preferred), Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams), and other applications via a desktop and/or laptop computer, PC Tablet and/or Notebook, or I-Pad. Competently uses a printer, copier, Smart cell phone and/or other electronic devices.

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or GED required. At least one year of experience working with volunteers or prior non‑profit experience. Agriculture experience preferred, especially as this position works on an active farm.

Must understand the operation of electrical pallet jacks and possess strong safety knowledge.

Be willing to obtain forklift operation certification if necessary.

TRAVEL

Possess a valid California Driver’s License with a driving record that meets minimum standards established by CAP OC insurance carrier, proof of vehicle insurance, access to a vehicle and willingness to drive/travel when required.

Typically, travel is local during the business day to/from CAP OC locations, The Giving Farm and distribution sites. Incumbents will use personal vehicle, CAP OC vehicle or truck. Travel may be during evening hours and out‑of‑the‑area and overnight travel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to bend, stoop, reach, pull, push, stand, kneel, sit, twist, turn, walk, climb, bend at the waist, talk and hear, vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, ability to adjust focus, prolong manual dexterity of wrist and fingers, prolong computer work, standing and sitting. The employee must regularly lift and/or move objects up to fifty (50) pounds. Work is performed in a farm and warehouse environment with varying temperatures, including work in a freezer, without direct air conditioning or heating, and work outdoors in varying temperatures and weather conditions.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND BACKGROUND CHECK

A medical examination is required of each new employee whose physical condition must meet the minimum requirements prescribed for the position. In addition, prospective employees must pass a pre‑employment physical, drug screen, Live Scan, and background check. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

THE PROMISE OF COMMUNITY ACTION

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

Who we are

Born out of the War on Poverty more than 50 years ago, Community Action Partnership Orange County (CAP OC) is a trusted resource for Orange County community members who face obstacles such as food insecurity, unemployment, economic turmoil and more. We walk alongside the people we serve, and we act to meet immediate needs without delay. Our programs help empower people to improve their lives and their communities. We see poverty as an unacceptable reality for our neighbors and rally with key partners to help facilitate change.

CAP OC hires professionals who support and embody the following EPIC values:

Going above and beyond in every interaction and activity we undertake. We strive for EXCELLENCE in service, keeping a pulse on the most up to date innovations within our industry. Together we continually assess and improve the way to work and enhance the strategies we utilize to meet the needs of our community.

Reaching our goals by working collaboratively with each other and our community. We are working to do the things that have not been done empowering families and individuals to financial independence, breaking the cycle of poverty, creating financial equity, combating food insecurity, and establishing healthy and energy‑efficient living conditions for all through social innovation. All of this takes PROACTIVENESS, and an intrinsic motivation that drives us to go above and beyond to create cutting‑edge trends and program designs. We have the will and the energy and won't stop until the needs of our underserved community no longer exist.

We are a team of high INNOVATION. We value the work we do; the people we serve; and treat each other with respect and kindness. We also have an environment of engaging in social economic justice by sharing of ideas and not afraid to try new things that increases our educational capacity. We think outside of the box, and challenge prevailing assumptions about issues of poverty.

Reaching our goals by working in partnership with each other and our community. The work we do is deeply rooted in the COLLABORATION we have with our community and its citizens. We care about the legacy of community action partnership and go above and beyond to ensure we support each other in bringing forth the services and resources that will positively change generations forever.

We have remained true to our mission “We seek to end poverty by stabilizing, sustaining and empowering people with the resources they need when they need them. By forging strategic partnerships, we form a powerful force to improve our community.”