Program/Volunteer Assistant - Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES

ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

JOB TITLE: Program/Volunteer Assistant – Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry

SUMMARY:

Volunteers represent over half of the pantry's daily workforce. The JFS Program/Volunteer Assistant cultivates a welcoming and inclusive volunteer/staff culture and builds relationships with all pantry volunteers. The Volunteer Assistant coordinates volunteer schedules and training, and provides oversight and support. 

Program Assistants provide warm and highly efficient customer service to pantry guests/clients. Program Assistants are responsible for carrying out pantry operations, including guest registration and shopping, and sorting, stocking and cleaning.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Supports and ensures smooth daily food pantry operations
2. Cultivates a welcoming and inclusive culture among volunteers and staff
3. Schedules and adjusts volunteer assignments to ensure workforce coverage using Volgistics software program
4. Serves as an onsite contact for ongoing volunteers to provide information and support, helping them stay on task and follow pantry guidelines
5. Schedules, educates, trains and provides oversight to ongoing volunteers, episodic individual volunteers, corporate volunteers and school groups
6. Communicates individual volunteer performance to the JFS Volunteer Coordinator in order to formulate appropriate action steps as needed
7. Provides monthly report on activities and results to Director – HKJFP
8. Sorts and stocks food items in coolers; freezer and warehouse
9. Inspects food items to ensure quality and freshness
10. Keeps pantry and sorting area clean and neat
11. Shops with or for guests/clients
12. Staffs front desk/registration including guest check-in, intakes, answering phones, and providing pantry information
13. Works alongside volunteers in the sorting, stocking, shopping, registration and scheduling areas as needed
14. Completes assigned administrative support tasks including, but not limited to:

a.   Donated food entries

b.   Client records and visits

c.   Volunteer data and records

1. Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• High school education required
• Experience supervising and working effectively with volunteers
• Ability to use office equipment, personal computer, Outlook email, and a variety of software applications
• Advanced verbal communication skills
• Ability to analyze and solve problems
• Ability to prioritize daily work assignments
• Strong interpersonal and team-building skills
• Ability to communicate information calmly in high-stress situations, demonstrating sensitivity to all populations served

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT:

• Requires an above average amount of physical effort including standing lifting and carrying heavy materials or equipment (15-50 pounds)
• Requires evening and weekend assignments
• Work is performed at central and remote food pantry locations

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends
• Understands and supports JFS’ mission, vision and values
• Builds positive relationships with peers, management, clients, vendors and donors
• Is collaborative, easy to work with and promotes professional working relationships with co-workers
• Effectively communicates/presents problems and solutions
• Follows and enforces policies
• Cultural competency  and comfort working with diverse groups
• Able to prevent conflict
• Comfortable with change
• Willing to learn new things

For 150 years, JFS has provided children, adults and seniors in the St. Louis region with the supports they need to lead vibrant, healthy lives. Through a comprehensive range of services, JFS helps seniors remain independent and connected to the community, reduces hunger, and empowers children to thrive. JFS serves people in need, inclusive of all ages, races, religions, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations and abilities. Each year, JFS supports the emotional and physical well-being of more than 50,000 children, families, and seniors in the St. Louis community.

Full-time hours available, salary $12.00 per hour

For more details or to apply, visit www.jfcsapply.com