The Position

The Food Relief Worker will use an inclusive, non-judgmental approach to providing Wingate Avenue Community Centre’s food relief program. With a strong strengths- and values-based approach, the Food Relief Worker will provide a welcoming approach to all people accessing the program.

Wingate Avenue Community Centre provides services to community members living in the Ascot Vale and surrounding area, with a priority for people experiencing vulnerabilities. The Centre delivers a weekly food relief program which has experienced significant growth due to COVID-19. The Food Relief Worker will be a front line position in the organization, and so strong interpersonal skills are required, along with excellent communication skills. Delivery of centre services is guided by the centre’s core values of compassion, inclusiveness, diversity and quality.

Working closely with the Community Development Manager, the Food Relief Worker will coordinate the program, distribution of food, interacting with community members, supporting volunteers, and working within a community development framework.

Employment Conditions

• Employer: Wingate Avenue Community Centre
• Reports To: Community Development Manager
• Work Type: Casual - working Mondays and Fridays
• Hours: 15.2 hours per week.
• Award: Neighbourhood Houses and Adult Community Education Centres Agreement 2016
• Classification: Class II(b) (Qual. Social Worker Entry Point), Level 4.1 (First Year), $45.03 casual
• Sector: Not for Profit
• Location: 13a Wingate Avenue, Ascot Vale 

The Workplace

Wingate Avenue Community Centre (WACC) was established in 1985 and is a busy, vibrant community- managed neighbourhood house, based on a state government housing estate in Ascot Vale.  The centre is a not for profit, incorporated association governed by a Committee of Management, made up of local community members that provide the governance structure and strategic direction for the centre’s management.

WACC provides multiple place-based services at the centre, including occasional childcare, accredited and non-accredited courses and education programs, employment support services, community programs and activities, as well as co-located services including Moonee Valley Legal Service, maternal and child health service, ReGen drug and alcohol support services and MiCare migrant settlement support. The centre facilities includes two computer labs, a commercial kitchen, a recently renovated 19 place childcare centre, five training rooms and a community shed. 

Position Goal

The Food Relief Worker will support the delivery of a best practice emergency relief food program with a service delivery model focused on positive outcomes for those assisted.

• Coordinate the food relief program, including: booking, packing and collection of food; and coordinating volunteers to support the operations of the program.
• Lead handing out food parcels at the centre, using lead COVID safety practices and working within a community development framework.
• Deliver training services in accordance with the centre’s mission and values.
• Deliver training services in accordance with the centre’s aims and objectives, as described in the Strategic Plan.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Manage food infantry of freezers, fridges and food pantry.
• Keep updated records of food relief program.
• Provide referrals and actively promote centre programs and services.
• Provide empathetic and holistic services to people accessing food.
• Coordinate volunteers to support the food relief program, including supporting administration procedures.
• Perform administrative duties as required.
• Support centre marketing of courses, programs and activities and distribute promotional material as required.
• Support community events aligned with our event’s calendar.
• Deliver services in accordance with the centre’s aims and objectives, as described in the Strategic Plan

Qualification and Skills Requirement

Demonstrable experience working in a dynamic environment with changing priorities.

Community Development: Experience working within a community development framework across community program activities and/or projects.

Strong Communication Skills: The Food Relief Worker must have excellent communication skills. These include:

• The ability to actively listen and absorb what others are saying, in order to respond appropriately.
• Awareness of non-verbal communication, such as body language, eye contact, hand gestures, tone of voice, and colour of the message you are trying to convey.
• The ability to convey your message clearly and directly to students and colleagues, in a way that can be understood by the other party.
• Ability to be flexible and have an open-mind when talking with others, in order to understand the other’s point of view.

Excellent Instructional Skills: The Food Relief Worker will be required to explain concepts and activities to people will low English literacy and numeracy skills in a manner they can understand.

Strong Interpersonal Skills: The Food Relief Worker will work closely with community members and colleagues, and must be able to work well with others and develop good relationships to ensure the best quality education is provided.

• Friendly approach to community members and colleagues, in order to build strong relationships.
• Ability to understand what the other person is thinking and feeling in order to empathise with others and build rapport.
• Respect for colleagues and community members.