Volunteer Project Coordinator

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is currently hiring for a full time, regular and benefited Volunteer Project Coordinator at our Vista location.

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK

Established in 1977, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank is a critical component to the welfare of San Diego County, providing nutritious food to people in need, advocating for the hungry and educating the public about hunger-related issues. For more information about the organization, please visit

Our Mission:

The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and our North County Food Bank Chapter provide nutritious food to people in need, advocate for the hungry, and educate the public about hunger-related issues.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The San Diego Food Bank feeds approximately 400,000 people every month in partnership with 450 nonprofit community partners.
• We are the fourth largest independent food bank in the country.
• We distributed 52 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2024-2025; almost 45% of that food being fresh produce.
• We have a 99% rating on Charity Navigator.

We are committed to innovation and sustainability to reduce our impact on the environment. We have 1,400 solar panels, we are LEED v4 Gold Certified, we have a 3,600 sq. ft composting and recycling center that houses our recycling and composting machine and received the 2020 Business Waste Reduction & Recycling award.

POSITION PURPOSE
The primary role of the Volunteer Project Coordinator is to support and coordinate volunteer activities and projects for the San Diego Food Bank, ensuring a positive and organized experience for all volunteers. Under the direct supervision of the Volunteer Manager, the Project Coordinator performs a wide variety of routine to moderately difficult responsible and specialized administrative, volunteer and warehouse-related duties in support of the San Diego Food Bank’s operations; and performs other duties as assigned.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position. All duties are expected to be performed in accordance with existing company policy and procedure. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Volunteer Engagement and Oversight

• Provide a positive experience for volunteers, helping them to learn about the impact of their support and the work of the San Diego Food Bank.
• Actively engage with volunteers throughout shifts to guide, instruct, and ensure correct bagging, boxing, and sorting of food items according to established standards.
• Provide clear instructions to volunteers on project procedures.
• Conduct quality control checks on packed items to ensure that they meet weight, labeling, and packaging standards before distribution.
• Address any issues with incorrectly packaged goods and provide feedback to volunteers on best practices for consistency.

Organization for Volunteer Projects

• Prepare and organize daily food items and materials needed for volunteer projects, ensuring quantities meet specific program requirements.
• Coordinate with inventory and warehouse teams to gather the necessary commodities for each project.
• Set up the volunteer project area with all necessary tools, supplies, and commodities, arranging workstations to optimize safety and efficiency.
• Oversee end-of-shift cleanup with volunteers, ensuring that all workstations and tools are cleaned, sanitized, and stored correctly.
• Maintain a clean and organized warehouse and volunteer workspace, ensuring that all areas are sanitized and free of hazards.
• Conduct routine checks to organize storage spaces and manage waste, recyclables, and food-safe disposal of damaged items.
• Track and record inventory levels for volunteer projects, ensuring enough supplies are on hand and replenishing as necessary.
• Assist with inventory management by updating stock levels of commodities used, maintaining accurate records, and communicating inventory needs to the warehouse team.

Safety, Equipment Maintenance, & Documentation

• Ensure all food handling, storage, and packing activities comply with food safety regulations and best practices.
• Conduct regular food safety briefings for volunteers and oversee the proper use of PPE (personal protective equipment) in alignment with health guidelines.
• Stay informed about current food safety standards and regulations, including safe food handling, allergen awareness, and sanitation practices.
• Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other warehouse equipment, conduct routine checks and ensure all equipment is in safe working condition, reporting any issues to the warehouse team for repair.
• Follow all warehouse safety protocols and maintain knowledge of food safety standards relevant to the handling, storage, and repackaging of food products.
• Other duties as assigned.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate for this position is a highly organized and proactive individual with a passion for service and engaging with the community. They possess excellent interpersonal communication skills, with a natural ability to connect with diverse audiences and foster positive experiences for volunteers. The candidate has a strong background in volunteer coordination or related fields and demonstrates the ability to multitask and adapt in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Familiarity with food safety practices, warehouse processes, and warehouse equipment is highly beneficial. Key qualities include a customer-service mindset, attention to detail, and a commitment to ensuring safety and quality in all operations. This candidate is motivated by the mission to end hunger in San Diego County and embraces the values of integrity, teamwork, and persistence in the face of challenges. They are ready to take on a flexible schedule that may include evening and weekend shifts, ensuring continuous support for the Food Bank’s critical operations.

EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
• At least 1-2 years of experience in a similar role or with volunteer engagement, community outreach, or warehouse support.
• Preferred:
  • Experience in a nonprofit or human services setting.
  • Experience in a food production setting.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• Volunteer management practices and systems

• Food safety and handling standards
• Basic knowledge of equipment maintenance and safety practices
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word)
• Volunteer management software (e.g., VolunteerHub) a plus

Ability to:

• Provide excellent customer service and interpersonal communication, with comfort in presenting to large groups and interacting with diverse audiences
• Utilize strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities, with a proactive approach to supporting other operational areas as needed
• Operate warehouse equipment, including forklifts and pallet jacks.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid California Driver’s License.
• Forklift certification (or ability to obtain certification upon hire).

COMPENSATION

• This is a full-time, non-exempt/hourly/benefited position.
• A market-level competitive salary is between $25.00 - $29.00 per hour based on experience.
• The compensation package includes a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package including: 403(b) plan with 200% employer matching; excellent health care coverage with free employee medical, dental and vision plans; company paid term life insurance; and a generous accrual of paid vacation and sick leave.

WORK SCHEDULE

• Typical schedule is Tuesday 8:00am-4:30pm, Wednesday-Friday 12:00pm-8:30pm, Saturday 8:00am-4:30pm, with occasional overtime based on operational needs

• Some flexible scheduling may be required to accommodate different volunteer opportunities.

HOW TO APPLY

• Interested and qualified candidates should apply below.
• Submissions missing a resume will not be considered for the position.
• Background check and drug test are required for the position before employment starts.