Food Rescue Specialist

Department: Facilities & Campus Operations

Classification: GMU Worker

Job Category: Part-Time / Hourly Wage

Job Type: Part-Time

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: $20/hour;
Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

Work Schedule: 15-20 hrs. per week during the academic year (August – May), 20-29 hrs. Per week during academic breaks (May – August); 1,200 hours maximum per year. This position’s work schedule will require flexibility to work earlier and later than typical work hours (8:30 a.m.

- 5:00 p.m.), including occasional weekend work.

Work Locations: Mostly in-person work, typically required at the Fairfax Campus. In-person work may be required at the Mason Square Campus and Science and Technology Campus for event-specific tasks. Limited remote work available when responsibilities permit.

Employees in this position are required to operate university vehicles in accordance with George Mason University Vehicle Use Policy 1411. Applicants must possess and maintain an active, valid driver’s license that satisfies university requirements. Final candidates are subject to a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) review, and successful completion of the review is a condition of employment.

Minor or major driving violations may affect eligibility for employment. Applicants with prior driving infractions need to review the Eligibility & MVR Review Information (English/ Spanish) before applying.

George Mason University’s host office anticipates hiring two candidates in this capacity.

The Food Rescue Specialist will directly support George Mason University’s new Food Rescue and Composting initiative on the Fairfax campus, and the Food Recovery Network chapter (FRN at George Mason) by providing mostly operational, but also administrative, data reporting, and engagement support.

This position advances progress on two goals:
1) address food insecurity on campus and
2) address food waste at George Mason University.

This position will help plan, design, and implement food rescue processes and activities in collaboration with a variety of partners at the university, including Auxiliary and Business Services, University Sustainability, FRN at George Mason, George Mason Dining Services (Chartwells), and the Patriot Pantry. It will also serve as a member of George Mason’s Food Rescue and Composting Working Group.

The Food Rescue Specialist will develop and strengthen food rescue partnerships, integrate food rescue activities within university operations, and increase opportunities for community engagement. In partnership with FRN and George Mason’s student leaders, they will provide hands‑on help to rescue and redistribute food to George Mason Patriots experiencing basic needs insecurity, while also reducing food waste disposal on campus.

• Safely transport food donations from a variety of on-campus donation partner locations, predominantly Dining Services’ residential dining halls, as well as potentially the Presidents Park Greenhouse, retail dining, and catering sites;
• Package and label food donations in the new Southside Food Rescue Hub, supporting FRN and Dining staff efforts;
• Train on and operate a university vehicle/motorized utility vehicle to pick up, transport, and deliver food donations;
• Deliver packaged and labeled food donations to the Student Support and Advocacy Center’s Patriot Pantry on the Fairfax Campus, approximately 2-3 times per week;
• Support FRN at GMU’s food rescue route and volunteer shift planning, administering route and food rescue volunteer shift adjustments based on volunteer capacity and partners’ needs;
• Ensure all food safety and handling policies and procedures are appropriately followed by FRN members and volunteers, after proper training;
• Maintain regular communications with university staff and important donation partners to support food rescue activities, including Patriot Pantry staff, Dining Services staff, and FRN at George Mason’s community donation partners,…