Food Rescue Project Officer

Northern Rivers Community Gateway

Job Location:

Lismore - Australia

Hourly Salary: $ 44 - 47

Posted on: 2 days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Fixed Term contract until 31 May 2027 28 Hours/Week
Award/Level: SCHADS Level 4

Community Gateway strongly values our employees and the important work they do for the community in delivering emergency relief and welfare services community connections health inclusion and community capacity building.

Established in Lismore nearly 50 years ago we are firmly embedded in the communities we support. Today we are a QIP accredited organisation with over 20 programs and services in Lismore Grafton and across the Far North Coast.

We exist to reduce socioeconomic disadvantage by delivering practical help advocacy and opportunities for people to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives. Our work is shaped by our values of integrity respect inclusion and compassion.

We provide a range of initiatives to develop and recognise our staff and provide opportunities for regular team building events and collaborative projects.

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated and organised Food Rescue Project Officer to establish and deliver our Food Rescue Project funded through the NSW EPA Food Rescue Grants Round 2 program.

Reporting to the Manager Wellbeing & Inclusion you will coordinate the collection safe transport and redistribution of surplus edible food to community organisations while developing partnerships systems and processes to ensure the projects sustainability beyond the funding period.

This position is primarily based at 76 Carrington Street Lismore NSW with occasional travel across the NSW Far North Coast region. Mandatory staff meetings are held at this location.

Key Responsibilities

In this role you will:

Coordinate the Northern Rivers Food Rescue and Relief Network to achieve project objectives.
Develop and implement project plans schedules and milestones.
Oversee daily operational delivery of food rescue and distribution activities.
Manage logistics for refrigerated vehicle operations and cold-storage facilities.
Ensure compliance with food safety standards and cold-chain requirements.
Liaise with partner organisations councils and community groups to support collaboration.
Identify engage and onboard new food donors and maintain relationships with existing donors.
Develop and distribute donor education and recognition materials.
Support partner organisations to improve operational capacity and food handling practices.
Coordinate and supervise volunteers involved in food collection and distribution.
Maintain accurate records of donor pickups storage conditions and distribution outputs.
Monitor and report project progress outputs and outcomes to management and funders.
Collect verify and analyse data on rescued food volumes meals delivered and CO₂ savings.
Develop and implement strategies to mitigate operational risks.
Deliver training for staff and volunteers on food safety WHS and operational procedures.
Plan and coordinate community education initiatives to improve food literacy and awareness.
Assist in preparation of evidence packs reports and acquittals for funding bodies.
Contribute to continuous improvement by reviewing processes gathering feedback and implementing changes.

About You

You are a practical and organised professional with experience in project coordination logistics or community program delivery. You have strong communication and relationship-building skills and are capable of working independently to achieve project milestones.

Essential Requirements

Relevant certificate or equivalent experience in project coordination logistics or operational management.
Experience in project coordination community programs or related operational roles.
Demonstrated ability to work independently organise workloads and meet project deadlines.
Developed communication skills and ability to build effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Experience or knowledge of food handling food safety logistics or transport operations.

Desirable

Experience working in food rescue waste reduction community services or environmental programs.
Knowledge of volunteer coordination and community-based program delivery.
Understanding of grant-funded projects and reporting requirements.

Additional Requirements

Current NSW Driver Licence and ability to operate a refrigerated vehicle.
National Police Check.

Why Work With Us

Meaningful work supporting positive community outcomes across Northern NSW.
Supportive values-driven and collaborative workplace.
Flexible and family-friendly not-for-profit environment.
Opportunities for professional development.
Salary packaging benefits available.

How to Apply

Applicants are required to submit a resume and a cover letter addressing the essential requirements.

Applications close: 27 February 2026

For further information please contact Ben Barratt People & Culture Officer onor

Northern Rivers Community Gateway is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people LGBTIQSB individuals people living with disability and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority

Fixed Term contract until 31 May 2027 28 Hours/WeekAward/Level: SCHADS Level 4Community Gateway strongly values our employees and the important work they do for the community in delivering emergency relief and welfare services community connections health inclusion and community capacity building...