Job Title: Sustainability Projects CCAC Fellow

Reports to: Director of Community Engagement

Status: Full-time, non-exempt; employed by Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) Center through California Climate Action Corps program

Hours: Monday - Friday (approximately 40 hours), occasional weekends/after-hour events

Location: Foodbank’s South County Sharehouse, 82 Coromar Drive, Goleta

Salary: Please sign up to attend a CCAC Info Session for more information.

Time Commitment: This is a one-year, full time position (September 2026 - August 2027).

About California Climate Action Corps

The California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) Fellowship is an AmeriCorps service program that’s part of a California statewide initiative to address and mitigate the effects of climate change. Annually, they match 400+ Fellows with public agencies, Tribes, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations across California for an 11-month Fellowship to mobilize community members to take direct climate action through education, volunteer mobilization, and assessment focused on urban greening, wildfire resiliency, and organic waste diversion and edible food recovery.

About the Organization

The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County (Foodbank) is committed to being on the forefront in community leadership, by inviting members of our community into our organization and giving them significant responsibility and involvement in running programs, committees and organizational activities. By doing so, we can scale our activities to a degree sufficient to end hunger and transform the health of the community through good nutrition.

About the Position

As food insecurity continues to increase in the community, the Foodbank is expanding our Sustainability Program to ensure food is effectively redistributed to low-income populations throughout Santa Barbara County, while educating the community on how our work aligns with sustainability and climate change.

This is a hands-on position that requires daily work in both warehouse and orchard settings. Fellows will engage directly with the physical aspects of food recovery and distribution, including harvesting produce from backyards and orchards, sorting and handling food in the warehouse, and preparing items for immediate redistribution.

Fellows will work cross-departmentally to support the four key initiatives under our Sustainability Program:

Backyard Bounty and Grocery Rescue: Volunteer-powered food rescue and edible food recovery programs where fresh produce and non-perishable food are rescued from backyards, orchards, and grocery stores, then rapidly redirected through our distribution networks.
Gardening Education Program: A hands-on educational initiative introducing local youth to sustainability, soil health, and crop production through direct gardening experience.
Compost Program: Operating industrial composters at each location to minimize food waste and promote environmental stewardship.

Each of these programs offers significant growth potential as both food rescue efforts and community educational resources. Our goal is to increase awareness and participation in food recovery and expand the volume of fresh produce and non-perishables distributed to those in need.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead the Backyard Bounty (BYB) program: manage gleaning events, recruit and train new volunteers, work with current donors and identify new properties to glean. Educate the community on backyard harvesting, donating to the Foodbank, and sustainable garden/orchard maintenance.
Lead the Grocery Rescue program: manage, recruit, and train new volunteers for daily Grocery Rescue shifts; work with Operations team to improve processes; train volunteers on donor relationships and the program's health and environmental benefits.
Support the HarvestHub Garden: manage garden volunteers and oversee garden operations, including pest control, inventory, soil health, growing kid-friendly crops, and more.
Support Compost Operations: manage, recruit and train new volunteers; support daily operations
Develop an education plan and outreach materials to highlight the benefits of sustainability programs, SB 1383, and food rescue. Educate partners, donors, volunteers, and the community through events like Earth Day, school fairs, and more.
Track and analyze program data to measure climate impact.

Education & Experience

Customer service, volunteer management, or nonprofit experience
Knowledge about Organic Waste & Edible Food Recovery
Knowledge of volunteer recruitment, supervision, training and retention practices a plus

Preferred Qualifications

Ability and willingness to actively assist (hands-on) in volunteer activities
Ability to work collaboratively in a team and across departments
Ability to project enthusiasm and positivity about the Foodbank and its work in the community
Proficient and effective in verbal communication skills, including speaking in front of groups and engaging with individuals one-on-one
Ability to self-direct and complete tasks with minimal oversight
General computer, tech, and software proficiency

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Lifting up to 50 pounds
Standing, sitting, walking, bending, reaching, and climbing
Comfortable working in a warehouse environment

Additional Requirements

California Driver’s License
Ability to work nights and weekends as needed
Ability to meet deadlines while managing multiple tasks and requests
Able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen

Why Join Us?

At the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, we believe in taking care of our team members.

Professional Development: Access ongoing professional training opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
Employee Assistance Program: Utilize our Employee Assistance Program for personal and work-related counseling and support, ensuring you have the resources you need to thrive.

Program Benefits Provided by BACR:

Please sign up to attend aCCAC Info Sessionfor more information.

Our Hiring Process

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated confirmation. We review applications on a rolling basis and strive to respond within 1 week of submitting your application. We strive to have an inclusive hiring process that includes opportunities for us to get to know you and vice versa.

Our process includes:
- Application review
- An initial virtual video interview with members of the team and/or collaborators with this position
- CCAC steps (see below)
- A second round virtual video interview with members of the team and/or collaborators with this position
CCAC process includes:
- Applicant must attend CCAC Info Session
- Applicants fill outCCAC Fellowship Application

Combined final process:
- Reference checks
- Offer
- Pre-Employment processes (i.e. standard background check)

We have been granted 2 CCAC positions at our site.

Click here to apply to learn about program benefits and to apply!

Foodbank of Santa Barbara County

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Sustainability Projects CCAC Fellow