Food Box Program Assistant

Position Summary:

Food Box Program Assistant is part-time position that supports Children's Aid's Go!Healthy food box distributions by packing bags of fresh, locally grown produce and distributing them to community members. Under the supervision of the Manager for SNAP-Ed PSE, the Program Assistant will travel to food box sites in Harlem, Washington Heights, and the south Bronx to host weekly distributions from March through November. There is an option to assist with other Go!Healthy programming for the remainder of the year. The Program Assistant will prep bags of fruits and vegetables, set up tents and tables for distribution, and engage with program participants. The position will require physical labor, including lifting heavy boxes and bags of fruit and vegetables, and also the ability to work outside throughout the year.

Essential Duties:

• Understand and promote the organization's Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Pack bags with fresh fruits and vegetables under the guidance of the on-site lead, including weighing items using scales, bagging loose produce, and folding paper materials.
• Work as part of a team to set up and break down during food box distributions, including carrying tents, tables, and other supplies between storage areas and the distribution site.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with Children's Aid staff, community members, and program participants to increase program engagement.
• Support program outreach and social media efforts by taking photos and creating signage.
• Collaborate with Go!Healthy's team of educators, as needed and able, to help promote the program by assisting with recipe sampling and on-site nutrition workshops.
• Assist with program inventory by helping to organize supplies and equipment, and maintaining a clean storage area.
• Participate in food box trainings, team meetings, and events.
• Must abide by privacy laws, including HIPAA, etc.
• In-person collaboration is an essential function of the job.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Able and willing to do physical work outside, including lifting heavy bags of produce.
• Spanish language skills preferred.
• Prior experience working with diverse populations preferred, especially in food service or retail settings.
• Availability to work the following days in the neighborhoods noted below on a weekly basis from March to November (approx. 6 hours/day):
  
  
  
  • Tuesdays: Washington Heights
  • Wednesdays: Harlem
  • Thursdays: South Bronx
  
  
  
  

Key Competencies:

• Passion for promoting and increasing access to local, seasonal, and high-quality food in urban communities.
• Professional approach to work, including the ability to offer, receive, and respond to feedback.

• Ability to communicate with team members and program leadership, including timely response to emails and engaged participation in meetings.
• In a fast-paced environment, be able to solve problems and adapt to new situations, while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Appreciation for working in a team and contributing to a greater mission-driven purpose.
• Demonstrated ability to work with and connect to diverse communities, including people from different backgrounds and ages.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.