Food Box Program Assistant

$20.00 to $23.00/ hour

Food Box Program Assistant supports Children's Aid's Go!Healthy Food Box distributions by assisting with the preparation and distribution of fresh, locally grown produce to community members. Under the direction of the SNAP-Ed PSE Manager, the Program Assistant will travel to designated sites in Harlem, Washington Heights, and the South Bronx to facilitate weekly distributions from March through November. Key responsibilities include packing bags of fruits and vegetables, setting up tents and tables at distribution sites, and engaging with program participants to promote a positive and welcoming experience.

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

Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.