Hope's Harvest Gleaning Associate

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Position Summary
The Hope’s Harvest Gleaning Associate GA at Farm Fresh Rhode Island will be responsible for supporting the organization and staff, stakeholders, volunteers, and partners in organizing and leading gleaning trips with the purpose of recovering and distributing surplus food to people in need. The GA also supports distribution, inventory management, and collecting/recording gleaning and operations data. A high degree of accountability is required to provide excellent customer service and outcomes to our partner farms, recipient agencies, volunteers, and our primary beneficiaries - people experiencing food insecurity in RI. This position is seasonal, running June 3rd through mid-December 2024, and reports to the Hope’s Harvest Program Manager. Applications received by April 26th will be given priority.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Coordinate and supervise food recovery operations, including but not limited to
Serve as point of contact with agencies, volunteers, farms, and other program partners to coordinate gleaning activities.
Manage gleaning trip logistics, including scheduling, supervising volunteers on trips, product quality standards during harvest and packing, inventory management and tracking, and product deliveries.
Manage and direct all volunteers on farm sites and at meeting points to ensure the protection of private property, the personal safety of volunteers, and that efficient labor is applied to the job at hand.
Ensure safe and proper product handling and packing, in accordance with food safety procedures. Apply judgment on a case by case basis to evaluate product quality and ensure high product quality standards for all delivered produce.
Drive gleaning equipment to and from gleaning trips in program vehicle 12 ft. box truck and make deliveries as needed.
Keep all vehicles used for gleaning activities clean, organized, and stocked with supplies as needed before, during, and after gleaning trips and deliveries.
Drive safely and lawfully at all times, heeding legal load capacity of vehicle and adjusting speed and routes as needed. Driving instruction will be provided.
Accurately collect and report operations data for program activities.
Monitor and ensure compliance on the part of all volunteers with food safety protocols, COVID safety procedures, and set a culture of overall physical safety and accident/injury prevention with volunteers.
Ensure all physical program infrastructure supplies, equipment, vehicles, etc. is stocked, organized, and in working order.
Program Administration
Basic administrative support including tracking expenses, documenting activities, responding to inquiries, scheduling, etc.
Other Duties as Assigned
Hope’s Harvest is a small but mighty program a “pitch-in” spirit is expected at all times and assistance on special projects and tasks may be required in addition to responsibilities listed above.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Needed To Perform This Role
At least one full season of vegetable production agriculture experience is preferred.
Knowledge of produce varieties/quality standards, and an ability to relate to farmers respectfully and knowledgeably. Understanding of produce quality and food handling.
Excellent verbal communication skills. Customer service or similar experience preferred.
Strong interpersonal skills, including patience, respect, thoughtfulness, good listening, and the ability to motivate people gently but effectively.
Detail oriented, with excellent record keeping skills and strong administrative, organization, and time management abilities. Must take initiative, be able to work independently, and follow through on all tasks at an efficient and steady pace.
Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license, have a minimum of six years driving experience, a clean driving record, and be capable of passing a DOT physical. Ability to drive a 12ft. box truck, with experience driving heavily loaded box trucks in urban and rural environments strongly preferred.
Ability to bend and lift 60+ lbs, repeatedly and in various conditions. This position is physically demanding and requires an aptitude for manual labor.
Must enjoy working in farm fields in all types of New England weather. This typically includes hot and humid summer days, wet and cold autumn, and early winter conditions.
Aptitude for, and/or basic knowledge of equipment use, maintenance, and repair including vehicles, pallet jacks, harvesting tools, etc. .
Available to work a flexible schedule including early evening and weekends. This position can potentially accommodate other work schedules.
Background in adult education, leading volunteer/tour groups, and/or organizing service work teams.
First-aid knowledge and skills.
Reliable access to personal vehicle for getting to and from work locations and occasionally moving produce.
Comfort and proficiency with technology, specifically data entry and the Google Suite.
Able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds in terms of race, ethnicity, gender including nonbinary , sexual orientation, class, and religion. Experience living and working in economically, racially, and ethnically diverse communities strongly preferred.
Personal alignment and commitment to the mission of the organization.

Priority Skills
Candidates with any of the following skills will be prioritized
Spanish speaking or non-English language skills
Deep understanding of communities in Providence, Pawtucket, and Central Falls
Knowledge and experience with community organizing

Physical Demands Physical, Mental & Environmental
The following capabilities are required in order to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue burden on the company are available to address the following requirements.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit/stand for long periods of time use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls on computers reach with hands and arms and talk or hear in meetings and on the telephone or on the computer in an office or variable setting.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
Employees must be able to lift and carry up to 60 lbs.
Must be able to identify and respond to loud noises.

Compensation
Hourly pay range $20/hr depending on experience
Accrued Sick & Safe Leave Benefits starting after 7 days of employment

To Apply
Send resume and cover letter to hh@farmfreshri.org with subject line “LASTNAME - FFRI Gleaning Associate Application”
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications received by April 26th will receive priority.
No phone calls or drop-ins please.

FFRI Admin, info@farmfreshri.org or 401-312-4250