Food System Support Driver

Solid Ground believes poverty is solvable. Our communities are stronger when we support stability and break down the barriers to overcoming poverty. Solid Ground does both. We combine direct services with advocacy to meet basic needs, nurture success, and spread change. Through our programs, people gain stability and build skills that equip them to move forward in their lives. Through advocacy, we work toward ending racism and other oppressions embedded in our institutions, policies and culture that hold people back from succeeding. We bring the voices of people experiencing poverty into the political process, furthering social justice, and supporting our entire community to reach its potential.

About the role

The Food System Support Driver is responsible for picking up food and non-food items from food distribution warehouses such as Northwest Harvest and Food Lifeline and making deliveries to various Seattle food banks in accordance with program policies and procedures and a predetermined delivery schedule. Deliveries may need to be made during inclement weather. The driver is responsible for communicating schedule changes and delays to program and food bank staff. The Food System Support Driver is part of the Food System Support Team and is required to participate in all agency training and staff meetings as schedule allows. If schedule does not allow for attendance, the employee is responsible for obtaining any missing information through watching recordings and/or checking in with supervisor.

As our workforce evolves to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, our agency and workplace will be enriched and strengthened. As such, we will demonstrate the initiative to learn and enhance skills that promote anti-racism, cultural competency, and an understanding of oppression and its impact. Participate in intentional learning efforts, including events relating to understanding and dismantling institutional racism and building cultural competency.

Responsibilities

• Deliver food and non-food items to Seattle food banks five days a week, including loading and unloading the truck.
• Count, verify, and ensure all items on pallets match pick list and work with distributor to ensure accuracy of order, noting any discrepancies and communicating those to the food bank receiving the order.
• Document any instances when pallets are stacked incorrectly and spilled; communicate this with Program staff or supervisor.
• Issue order forms to food banks for verification and signature.
• Pick up pallets, bread trays, milk cartons, wooden bins, etc. from food banks and return them to proper warehouse as required.
• Provide input to Food System Support staff in developing and revising regular and holiday schedules for food pick-ups and deliveries.
• Follow set delivery schedule and communicate immediately with supervisor if deviation from schedule becomes necessary.
• Make decisions regarding additional delivery or pick-up needs as needed.
• Perform daily vehicle and equipment inspection prior to use and conduct a post-trip inspection at the end of each shift, including:
  • Identify pre- and post-trip truck discrepancies such as low tire pressure, leaks under truck, and perform air brake test before departing the Solid Ground Transportation (SGT) yard.
  • Ensure the electric pallet jack is functional and fully charged.
  • Lower/raise rail gate for route.
  • Check gauges on dashboard for accuracy, such as air brake pressure, low oil pressure, or coolant levels.
  • Visually check for low tire pressure on all tires.
  • Check lights such as turn signals, brakes, parking, and hazard lighting for blown bulbs.
  • Check for worn wiper blades.