Volunteer engagement is critically important to fulfilling The Idaho Foodbank’s mission to provide free food assistance to help Idaho children, families, and seniors. It is through the donated time and efforts of thousands of volunteers assisting in our warehouses and community, food drives and events, and through general awareness generated by these activities, that the Foodbank is able to cost-effectively receive and redistribute millions of pounds of food every year. Providing fulfilling volunteer experiences strengthens relationships and provides opportunities to share our mission and deepen the connection to The Idaho Foodbank.
Job summary:
The Volunteer Support Specialist will play a critical role in the daily operations of the Idaho Foodbank. This role will handle scheduling, reporting, data entry, and document creation, helping to improve the overall volunteer engagement and recognition program statewide. As a key people-facing role, the Volunteer Support Specialist will interact with volunteers daily, ensuring a positive and efficient experience. This role will support Food Drives. Food drives are often the first point of contact a donor has with the Foodbank, and it is essential that their interaction with the Support Specialist be a positive experience. In addition, this position will assist with special community events and volunteer workgroup supervision, as necessary. Training and orientation provided.
This is an ideal role for someone who enjoys people from all walks of life in a dynamic and hands-on environment.
Hours: 8:30-4:30pm (Monday-Friday, flexible) Some Saturdays.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Reply to phone and email inquiries.
- Assist in leading volunteer shifts of up to 30 people, guiding them in sorting and repacking food items in accordance with The Idaho Foodbank’s policies and procedures.
- Coordinate drop off and pick up of collection bins, as needed.
- Balance food drives against receipts as they come in to capture data for statistical analysis.
- Assist with events, as needed – interacting with the public, educating them through talking points regarding the mission of The Idaho Foodbank.
- Enter data in an accurate and timely fashion on food drive spreadsheet.
- Send thank you letters to donors weekly.
- Operate warehouse equipment, such as pallet jacks, and assist with lifting and moving pallets as needed.
- Communicate effectively with a diverse group of volunteers, providing clear instructions and support.
- Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment where all volunteers feel respected and appreciated.
- Collaborate with other staff members to ensure smooth operations in the warehouse.
- Utilization of the Volunteer Hub database
- Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Good organization and time management skills
- Excellent communication and creative skills
- Comfortable in public speaking
- Customer service oriented, friendly
- Self-starter, ability to work independently
- Above-average knowledge of Microsoft Office products; Outlook, Excel and Word
- Experience in developing creative volunteer or participant recruiting strategies
- Experience with customer/donor database management and/or Raiser’s Edge
- Valid Idaho driver’s license and access to an automobile with current liability insurance required.
Safety and Compliance
- Commit to upholding policies, principles and best practices for food and volunteer safety.
- Understand the personal responsibility to follow all safety policies and health rules, programs, and procedures, and report all safety issues, incidents, or accidents immediately.
- Monitors and complies with cleaning schedules.
- Manage repack activities in such a manner as not to create a risk to food safety, whether through product contamination, cross contact, inaccurate labeling, or temperature deviations. Ensure all volunteers wear the proper Personal Protective Equipment for the repack activity being conducted and adhere to all GMPs for food safety.
- Safely operates all warehouse equipment including forklift, pallet jacks, and lifting equipment.
Employment Requirement
- Successful Background Clearance
- Ability to wear company approved safety shoes at all times while on the job
Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in a warehouse environment. Involves walking, periodic lifting and carrying of items that may weigh up to 50 pounds. May work outside normal working hours and drive own vehicle for various projects on a daily basis.
Disclaimer
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give assignments.
This position description excludes the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential to job functions and requirements. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.
Organizational Culture
At The Idaho Foodbank, we live our core values of Belonging, Commitment, and Collaboration. We’re driven by our mission to nourish, educate, and advocate for food-secure communities. We believe every team member plays a vital, daily role in our mission.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The Idaho Foodbank is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a welcoming and supportive workplace. We strive to create an environment where all employees and those we serve feel valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. Our hiring and workplace practices are rooted in merit, fairness, and belonging.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.
