Food Rescue Driver

STATUS: Part-Time / Non-Benefitted / Hourly / Non-Exempt

COMPENSATION: $22.00 - $24.00per hour

DEPARTMENT: Basic Needs Project

LOCATION: Chico State Basic Needs / Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry - Chico, California. Local travel to food-rescue partners throughout Chico, Oroville, and surrounding areas is required.

RECRUITMENT

RESIDENCY
:
Candidate must be a California resident. Chico State Enterprises is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e., H-1B Visas).

GENERAL

PURPOSE:

The food rescue driver supports the Chico State Basic Needs Project and the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry by safely and reliably recovering donated and rescued food from community partners. Working independently and, at times, alongside Basic Needs staff, the driver operates a cargo van and/or a refrigerated box truck, maintains food safety standards, and delivers food to the pantry for distribution to students.

SCHEDULE: The schedule is intermittent and variable. Regular food-rescue routes are shared between two drivers during the academic year. The position requires availability for full route coverage during the summer, as determined by program needs. Approximately 5-10 hours per week, depending on route assignment, availability, and seasonal needs.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Safely operate a Chico State Basic Needs cargo van and/or refrigerated box truck in accordance with traffic laws, Chico State Enterprises (CSE) vehicle use policy, and vehicle safety procedures.
• Successfully complete and maintain defensive driver training and all required authorizations to operate company vehicles.
• Complete assigned food-rescue routes independently; arrive at partner locations at scheduled pickup times; and communicate promptly about delays, vehicle concerns, food-safety issues, or changes in pickup quantities.
• Pick up donated and rescued food from community partners; safely load, secure, transport, and unload food using appropriate lifting and material-handling practices.
• Monitor and maintain appropriate refrigeration temperatures when operating the refrigerated box truck, and follow food-safety standards for refrigerated, frozen, and shelf-stable foods.
• Deliver and unload all rescued and donated food at the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry according to established receiving, food-safety, and pantry protocols.
• Maintain courteous, professional, and collaborative relationships with community donors, food-rescue partners, staff, volunteers, and student employees.
• Complete required vehicle, mileage, temperature, food-rescue, and donation documentation.
• Support occasional additional or miscellaneous food pickups with at least 24 hours’ notice whenever possible, based on availability and program needs.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

• Ability to safely and confidently operate a cargo van and refrigerated box truck.
• Ability to work independently, follow established routes and schedules, and exercise sound judgment while in the field.
• Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, time-management skills, and professional customer service.
• Ability to follow food-safety, sanitation, refrigeration, and Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry protocols.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and perform frequent bending, reaching, pushing, pulling, and lifting associated with loading and unloading vehicles.
• Preferred experience in delivery driving, food rescue, food distribution, warehouse operations, logistics, or food safety.
• Familiarity with local communities, including Chico, Oroville, and surrounding areas.

BENEFITS:

• Sick leave (up to 5 days/year)

COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Candidate must be in possession of valid driver's license and automobile liability insurance. Participation in the DMV Employer Pull Notice Program (driving record) is required. The candidate will be…