Food Access Assistant (Part-Time)

Metro Caring works with our community to meet people’s immediate need for nutritious, culturally relevant food while building a movement to end hunger at its root. Our innovative programming spans Healthy Food Access, Nutrition Education, Community Connections, and Organizing. We know that hunger is not caused by a lack of food—but by poverty, unaffordable housing, systemic racism, and inequities baked into our food systems. That’s why we focus on bold, community-driven solutions that promote food justice and economic equity.

We live and lead through seven core values that reflect our mission:

The Food Access Assistant is a part-time position that will help facilitate the operation of Metro Caring’s Fresh Foods Market and Warehouse. The Food Access Assistant has four major responsibilities:

• To ensure that the Fresh Foods Market is well stocked and flowing smoothly.

• To sort and store all incoming products for distribution.

• To guide, motivate, and support volunteers through their assigned tasks.

• To ensure the warehouse is stocked with all materials necessary for effective operation.

While training and onboarding will be provided, we are interested in applicants who have some of the following skills, abilities, and experience:

• Strong interpersonal communication, particularly in diverse communities.

• Ability to implement inventory plans and operate autonomously in a warehouse.

• Ability to motivate and direct others, working in a team environment.

• Warehouse maintenance and/or grocery store experience.

• Bilingual strongly preferred (in Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, Burmese, or West African languages).

• Responsible for supporting the daily workflow in the market and warehouse.

• Prioritize safety in all areas of the loading dock, warehouse, and market.

• Support waste, composting, and recycling programs to ensure that environmental and food safety standards are met.

• Implement Warehouse opening and closing procedures.

• Ensure new product entering the warehouse is sorted and stored appropriately.

• Serve as primary shift lead for volunteers in the warehouse.

• Provide supervision, clear direction, and coaching for volunteers.

• Support a fun and positive experience for volunteers in Food Access.

• Be available to volunteers throughout the shift to answer any questions and concerns they may have.

• Work with the Volunteer Team and Food Access Manager to help resolve conflict between volunteers.

• Communicate clearly with diverse groups of people throughout our community including volunteers, donors, and participants.

• Attend weekly Food Access team meetings and monthly all-staff meetings/retreats.

• Attend volunteer gatherings.

• Articulate and model Metro Caring’s values amongst staff, volunteers and others in the Metro Caring community.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Applicants must have reliable transportation. Relocation costs are not covered by Metro Caring.

Research suggests that individuals may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the listed qualifications. We encourage anyone who believes they have the skills, experience, and drive necessary to succeed in this role to apply.  

Metro Caring is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining an inclusive team. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and life experiences, especially those who represent communities and lived experiences served by Metro Caring. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute fully.  

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs repeatedly, throughout the shift.

• Ability to stand for long periods of time.

• 1-2 years of experience in warehouse, food retail, or food service operations.

• Flexibility to work evenings on a regular basis; weekends when required.

• Comfortable with manual labor; able to multitask in busy environment.

• Ability to motivate and direct others, working in a team environment.

• Experience overseeing volunteers and setting directions.

• Bilingual speaker (in Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Russian, Burmese, or West African languages), preferred but not required.

• Strong interpersonal communication and relationship building skills, particularly with diverse communities.

• Innovative, solutions oriented, and continuous improvement mindset.

• Open to feedback and coaching, with an openness for learning and implementing change.

If you share our values and our enthusiasm for building a movement to end hunger at its root causes and champion food as a basic human right in solidarity with the community, we’d love to review your application! Instead of a cover letter, we ask you to submit your resume and answer a few questions to share a bit more about you.