Food Insecurity Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Department Overview

The Food Resource Center (FRC) at OHSU is seeking a passionate, reliable, flexible, and detail-oriented OHSU student worker to assist with operating and expanding the FRC.

The FRC provides nutritious, no-cost food to OHSU students to improve students' food security, reduce food waste, and promote student well-being. The FRC aims to do this by providing fresh, frozen, and packaged goods, sourced locally and grown sustainably, when possible, to OHSU students; and educating in the areas of food safety, nutrition, cooking, and preserving food.

The Student Worker will officially be based within the Student Health and Wellness Center; they primarily work on-site at the Food Resource Center locations on Marquam Hill in OHSU's Student Center and on the South Waterfront in the Robertson Collaborative Life Science Building. Some work may be done remotely. 

Student Health is an integrated center providing primary care, behavioral health, wellness programming and food resources to promote the health and well-being of OHSU students and postdoctoral scholars. At Student Health, we promote a work culture that is passionate about serving our students, supports work/life balance for each employee, provides robust learning opportunities, and encourages collaboration between all roles. We believe in providing high-quality services for our students in an environment that also supports the well-being of each team member and of the health of our team as a whole.

Function/Duties of Position

• Assist Student Health with operating and growing the Food Resource Center and addressing food insecurity at OHSU. Must be able to work on-site at the Food Resource Center, for some hours each week.
• Help with procuring, stocking, and/or distributing food as well as maintaining the FRC space (and satellite food spaces as needed) and inventory.
• Support communicating with volunteers and the student community to schedule, update, and inform about ongoing changes in the FRC.
• Support with other food security-related tasks as needed, such as outreach; posting fliers; tracking, entering, and reporting data; compiling information; helping with food safety and nutrition-related resources; attending periodic team, outreach and educational meetings; and/or other duties as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Enrolled in or on vacation from or is otherwise registered in 

  • Undergraduate Program minimum 6 credit hours), OR

  • Graduate Program (minimum 4.5 credit hours).

• Strong customer service skills. Willingness to serve as a positive and professional representative of the Food Resource Center and Student Health in all interactions, including via email, phone, virtual and in-person.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Flexible, open and helpful attitude and communication style, and willingness to adapt to the changing needs and learnings associated with a new program/service.

• Strong computer skills, especially with Microsoft excel and Qualtrics and/or ability to quickly learn.

• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

• Listens for understanding, communicates effectively across cultures and backgrounds, and treats all people with dignity and respect.

• Must be able to pass a federal criminal history background check.

• Traveling to assist in donation retrieval and resources sharing may occasionally be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 6 months remaining as an OHSU student eligible for a Student Worker position (preferably longer).

• Experience volunteering and/or working in a food pantry or related setting.

• Experience with food safety.

• Experience coordinating a project, program, or service.

• Experience working with vulnerable populations, such as those experiencing hunger or financial insecurity.

• Experience with data management.

• Experience working with volunteers.

Additional Details

Work will require regular moving of fresh, packaged, and frozen food and other items. Must be able to lift, carry, push and/or pull approximately 50lbs. repeatedly. Must also be able to grasp and move small items and read expiration dates and other information on food packaging. Must be able to push and pull carts holding up to 300lbs. repeatedly. Must be able to stand and walk for most of their shift. Work will require handling food with common allergens, such as peanut butter or wheat flour.

Must have some availability on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays between 7:30am and 7:30pm.

How to Apply - to submit a complete application, please include the following:

Resume or CV

Answers to the following questions in a Word document or PDF (no more than one page single-spaced):

• • Are you currently an OHSU student enrolled at least half-time?
  • What is your program and expected graduation date?
  • What interests you in this position? How does this position fit in with your career and/or educational goals?
  • What skills and/or experience do you bring to this position?

For questions about this position, please email food@ohsu.edu.

Why apply to OHSU?We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.eduEmployment Type: OTHER