Position:
Education & Outreach Specialist of the Food Recovery Initiative
About Joint Venture Silicon Valley
Joint Venture Silicon Valley is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Established in 1993, Joint Venture provides analysis and action on issues affecting the Silicon Valley economy and quality of life. The organization brings together established and emerging leaders—from business, government, academia, labor and the broader community—to spotlight issues, launch projects and work toward innovative solutions.
About the Food Recovery Initiative
Thanks to continued funding through the Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission of Santa Clara County, the Food Recovery Initiative of Joint Venture is managing the SB 1383 edible surplus food requirements for all jurisdictions in Santa Clara County. To reduce food waste and help address food insecurity, SB 1383 requires that by 2025 California recover 20 percent of edible surplus food. Under the new law jurisdictions must establish food recovery programs, regulated businesses and organizations must arrange to recover the maximum amount of their surplus food, and food recovery organizations and services must maintain agreements with businesses donating food and records, including pounds recovered annually, for submission to the State. The Food Recovery Program is responsible for handling data collection on behalf of the jurisdictions; soliciting and managing reporting and conducting inspections; and providing education and outreach to all regulated entities.
The Position
This role is a great opportunity for someone interested in taking action in their community. It supports the Santa Clara County Food Recovery Program by educating regulated businesses, conducting compliance inspections, managing reporting and data, and helping expand food recovery capacity across the county. It’s a community-facing sustainability position that combines project management, outreach, compliance, research, and food waste reduction, requiring strong communication, organization, and independent problem-solving skills.
Responsibilities
- Conduct educational outreach to all entities regulated under SB 1383. Educational outreach will include phone, email, Zoom and in-person sessions. May also be tasked with the creation of new educational materials, including webinars and/or videos, and some data management.
- Represent the Program, and so must be professional and knowledgeable about food recovery and food safety, as well as SB 1383 regulations and relevant local ordinances.
- Assist with program documentation, support research and report writing. Serves as a representative of the Initiative as needed.
- Attend weekly staff meetings, and weekly check-ins (format and scheduling to be determined)
- Lead yearly projects meant to increase the food recovery capacity of Santa Clara County. This includes such things as increasing the use of reusable materials in food recovery, leading projects to install food recovery programs in affordable housing, and other such projects.
- Plan and conduct onsite food recovery program inspections of businesses throughout Santa Clara County currently regulated under SB 1383. The inspections will focus on regulatory compliance, education about safe food recovery and strategies to prevent food waste and reduce surplus food, as well as reviewing records related to food recovery that businesses are required to keep onsite. This portion of the position may be shared by a contractor, depending on applicant interest.
- Manage inspection scheduling, documentation, and follow up, with a focus on continuous improvement to the Program’s inspection protocols.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or related field is required, with focus on compliance or food systems a plus. We value diverse paths to expertise and will consider equivalent combinations of education and experience.
Experience: At least 3 years of relevant professional experience.
Skills:
- Great project management skills, with an ability to prioritize and adapt as community needs and constraints are communicated, to make the interventions we do in the community thrive over the long haul
- Adept communicator and note-taker
- Great attention to detail
- Ability to work independently
- Comfort working in a compliance capacity
- Familiarity with and professional experience in the following areas is preferred:
- Food recovery and food waste
- Sustainability, environmental health, solid waste, or food safety
- Creating and providing educational programming
- Compliance, audit, or inspection experience
- The ability to communicate complex information and serve as a representative of the organization, often with groups of people from diverse backgrounds
- Strong technical skills and understanding of databases, experience with Airtable preferred
- The ability to work in an environment that prioritizes participation from people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives
- Enjoy rolling up your sleeves to figure out solutions to difficult challenges
About the Position
- Salary is $100,000 - 110,000. This is a full-time position and is eligible for healthcare and benefits (401K, life insurance, paid vacation). If you are interested in part time work, please still apply and indicate how many hours per week you are available. Job sharing and part time work will be considered for the right candidate.
- Our organization is committed to flexibility and work-life balance. Daily remote work is expected, but candidates will need to have the ability to regularly travel throughout Santa Clara County for inspections and site visits.
- Candidates must have a personal vehicle for travel throughout Santa Clara County, and will regularly have work days both at home, and in the field. Mileage within Santa Clara County is reimbursed at the corresponding IRS rate.
