The University of Virginia is seeking a motivated, collaborative, and highly organized Food Waste Reduction Coordinator for a three-year term, grant-funded position. This position is a unique opportunity to make a direct impact, helping UVA work toward an aspiration of sending zero food to landfills through food waste prevention, food rescue, and composting.
The Food Waste Reduction Coordinator will play a key role in advancing the University's sustainability goals. The position will report to Business Services and will work closely with the Office for Sustainability, which manages the food waste reduction grant. UVA Dine, which reports to Business Services, will serve as the primary operational partner in implementing food waste reduction initiatives across the University. Additional collaborators include, but are not limited to students, Facilities Management, Aramark Sports & Entertainment, local composting service providers, and community partners.
Over three years, the Food Waste Reduction Coordinator will be responsible for implementing a portfolio of food waste initiatives specifically outlined and funded by UVA’s 2026 Food Recovery grant from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). In addition to implementation, this role will help track and report expenses, progress, and measurable food waste reduction to the DEQ. This position is ideal for an individual passionate about both sustainability and community engagement, who enjoys hands-on project management, developing partnerships with campus stakeholders, and the opportunity to shape an emerging program.
Responsibilities will include:
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Food Recovery Program Expansion
- As detailed in the grant program, develop workflows and coordinate logistics with UVA Dine and food rescue staff/volunteers for increasing the amount of food rescued from dining halls and the football stadium, including ordering equipment and training dining and concessions staff, student volunteers, and event staff on food recovery procedures and zero waste practices.
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Food Waste Prevention Program Expansion
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As detailed in the grant program, work with Business Services to implement and maintain contracts for new food waste tracking hardware and software (e.g. Metafoodx or Streamline).
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Work with UVA Dine to analyze data, prepare summaries, and recommend improvements to operations.
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Composting Program Expansion
- As detailed in the grant program and in close coordination with UVA Dine and the Office for Sustainability, purchase, install, and maintain composting signage and infrastructure and coordinate with Black Bear Composting to expand Front of House and Back of House compost collection services for restaurants and event spaces.
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Student Engagement & Education
- Support the Office for Sustainability Outreach & Engagement staff in designing and delivering food waste reduction programs, workshops, and outreach events for students, including leading awareness campaigns (digital, tabling, hall outreach, peer networks) that highlight the importance of food waste reduction.
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Reporting, Tracking & Data
- Report progress and next steps weekly to the Office for Sustainability.
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Hold weekly communication/coordination meetings with UVA Dine, Concessions, OFS, and Business Services stakeholders, reporting on progress.
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Provide data and progress updates for required grant quarterly reports - summarizing program outcomes, trends, and key insights.
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Stakeholder Training & Partnership Support
- In coordination with the Office for Sustainability, conduct ongoing training and onboarding sessions with UVA Dine and Concessions staff related to food waste reduction and zero waste practices.
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General Program Expansion
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As time allows, strengthen existing food waste initiatives or pilot new initiatives as opportunities are identified, in partnership with stakeholders.
Minimum Qualifications:
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Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Two or more years of relevant professional experience, such as sustainability program coordination, food systems work, student engagement, waste management, or related roles.
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Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple initiatives simultaneously.
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Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders, such as coordinating project implementation, building partnerships, conducting trainings, or delivering educational outreach.
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Strong communication and writing skills.
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Demonstrated ability to work independently using a high level of analytical, problem-solving, process, and people skills.
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Ability to work evenings/weekends as requested (e.g., home football games, special events) is required.
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Ability to lift 25–40 pounds. This role blends office-based coordination with hands-on field work in dining halls, stadiums, restaurants, and outdoor areas. The Food Waste Reduction Coordinator will routinely move carts, bins, signage, and equipment, and will support program setup and breakdown at events and recovery sites.
Preferred Qualifications
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Experience working within or understanding of large organizations, particularly at a university, is highly preferred.
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Knowledge of food waste reduction strategies, food rescue programs, or composting processes.
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Familiarity with waste audits, data collection, and sustainability reporting.
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Experience collaborating with students and student-led organizations.
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Comfort with hands-on fieldwork in kitchens, stadiums, and event environments.
Compensation: This is a three-year grant-funded position (end date is June 29, 2029). In person work is required – remote work is not an option for this position. This is a full-time (40 hours per week) exempt level role with UVA benefits at $50,000 annually. The target timeframe for hire is August 2026. UVA employee benefits package highlights include:
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22 days of paid time off, 13+ paid holidays each year, with community service leave hours in addition to paid time off
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Health plan with options to meet healthcare and financial needs
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Retirement contributions through the Virginia Retirement System
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Employee wellness program featuring activities to earn up to $500/year
This position will remain open until filled. This is an exempt level, benefited position. The University will perform background checks on all hires (if required) prior to employment. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. For this role, the University will not sponsor or consider candidates requiring sponsorship for employment visas now or in the future. This is a term-limited (Restricted) position.
Please apply online, and search for R0084830. Complete an application online with the following documents:
Upload all materials into the resume submission field; multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.
Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.
For finalists, references will be completed via UVA’s standardized process using SkillSurvey. A total of up to five references will be requested via SkillSurvey for top candidates during the final phase of the interview process. A total of three references is required.
For questions about the application process, please contact Al Turner, [email protected].
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Bachelor's degree required.
Experience: 2+ years of relevant experience required. Additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
