Food Initiatives Assistant

Food Initiative Assistant

Students' Association of MacEwan University (SAMU)
https://www.samu.ca/get-involved/work-with-us/

Posted: March 4, 2026

Job Category | Part-time Term, up to 25 hours/week
Contract | Aug 5, 2026 - April 30, 2027

Salary | $18.00/hour
Location of Work | City Centre Campus (CCC)

Posting closes Tuesday, April 7th, 2026, at 4:00 pm (MST)

ABOUT SAMU 

The Students' Association of MacEwan University (SAMU) is a non-profit organization working independently from MacEwan University to support students. Our purpose is to enrich the student experience by focusing on their non-academic needs through an array of student-driven programs and services.

We are governed by elected student representatives who set the strategic vision on behalf of students. With support from over 50 full- and part-time staff, we keep our mandate student-focused to achieve the vision.

OUR VISION

All students benefit from a vibrant student life and culture of empowerment.

OUR MISSION

SAMU builds a positive student experience by creating a place to engage and connect, being a champion for all students, and providing opportunities that allow them to get the most out of their educational journey.

PURPOSE

The main objective of this position is to assist in the daily operations and facilitation of SAMU’s Breakfast Club and Veggie Bowl. This position will provide strong support to students utilizing the services by assisting in the planning, execution, and monitoring of the services’ initiatives, in accordance with SAMU and University policy.

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Volunteers - (40%)

• Recruitment
  
  
  
  • Assist in the volunteer application process
  
  
  • Conduct volunteer interviews in consultation with the Student Services Manager and/or Food Support Coordinator
  
  
  
  


• Selection
  
  
  
  • Select individuals to interview from volunteer applications in consultation with the Food Support Coordinator and/or Student Services Manager
  
  
  • Assist in the volunteer application approvals and rejection
  
  
  
  


• Training
  
  
  
  • Manage Breakfast Club and Veggie Bowl online training
  
  
  • Assist in the introduction of the volunteers first shift
  
  
  
  


• Leadership
  
  
  
  • Provide peer leadership to all Pantry volunteers: in person/Discord
  
  
  • Update volunteers on any changes to Breakfast Club and Veggie Bowl
  
  
  • Attendance and support at every Breakfast Club
  
  
  • Attendance and support at every Veggie Bowl
  
  
  • Cover volunteer service gaps with the support of the Services Team as necessary to support clients
    
    
  
  
  
  

Administration – (40%)

• Initiative Supports
  
  
  
  • Assist in the maintenance of forms for Breakfast Club and Veggie Bowl
  
  
  • Assist in the food orders for Breakfast Club and Veggie Bowl
  
  
  • Assist in the setting up of Breakfast Club and Veggie Bowl
  
  
  • Assist in the organization, scheduling, and assignment of volunteer roles for Breakfast Club and Veggie Bowl
  
  
  • Assist in the clean-up of Breakfast Club and Veggie Bowl
    
  
  
  
  


• Metrics and Data
  
  
  
  • Monthly Services metrics compiling
  
  
  • Source feedback from current volunteers and students in various forms; one-on-one conversations, forms, walkthroughs, etc.
  
  
  • Compile all feedback with recommendations for the service
  
  
  • Implement relevant service changes with support from the Student Services Manager and/or Food Support Coordinator
  
  
  
  


• Inventory
  
  
  
  • Maintain inventory of Breakfast Club and Veggie Bowl in accordance with AHS
  
  
  • Maintain pest control standards in accordance with AHS
  
  
  • Maintain cleaning standards in accordance with AHS
  
  
  • Maintain cleaning standards in accordance with AHS and Standard of Excellence
  
  
  • Assist in weekly inventory counts and ordering requirements
  
  
  
  


• Incident Reports
  
  
  
  • Record any incidents and report to the Student Services Manager
    
    
  
  
  
  

Collaboration – (15%)

• Services Team
  
  
  
  • Attend weekly Services meetings
  
  
  • 5-10 hours per week covering the Support Hub front desk
  
  
  • Attend the Peer Support’s fall training
    
    
    
    • Fall training:
      
      
      
      • August 22 – 8am-5pm
      
      
      • August 23 – 8am-5pm
      
      
      • August 25 – 8am-5pm
      
      
      • August 26 – 8am-5pm 
      
      
      • August 27 – 8am-5pm
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • Winter training:
      
      
      
      • TBD
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • Internal Collaborations (SAMU)
      
      
      
      • Support the Food Rescue Initiative
      
      
      • Support internal collaborations with other SAMU departments
      
      
      • Assist the Food Support Coordinator in planning and facilitating any Pantry related funding or awareness campaigns
      
      
      
      
    
    
    • MacEwan Collaborations
      
      
      
      • Support MacEwan collaborations for tabling
      
      
      • Table activities during MacEwan or Food Initiative events.
      
      
      • August 22 – 8am-12pm
        
        
      
      
      
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

Other – (5%)

• Other duties as assigned by the Student Services Manager

VALUES

Students First - SAMU is here for the students. As such our decisions and actions need to be in the best interest of current and future students.

Inclusiveness - All students belong to SAMU and should feel welcomed and safe. Diversity is embraced, and we continue to learn new ways of being respectful and empathetic to all students and each other.

Adaptability - Underlying all the values is SAMU's ability to adjust and respond quickly to meet students' needs.

Relevance - SAMU continually listens to students, monitors trends, builds partnerships and works to be on point to the changing student population.

Accountability - At SAMU, we take responsibility for our actions and decisions. Likewise, we are responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us by students

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Preference will be given to current MacEwan Students registered in a minimum of one class during either Fall 2026 or Winter 2027 term.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must be proficient with Microsoft 365


• Excellent communication (written and verbal), interpersonal, and collaboration skills


• Volunteer supervisory experience


• Knowledge of food safety


• General knowledge of SAMU is considered an asset


• Ability to work independently and within a team


• Possesses strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Safe Food Handling Certification


• Bystander Intervention Training


• First Aid


• WHMIS


• Distress Line or similar risk assessment certifications or experience

WORKING CONSIDERATIONS

• Sedentary with light physical effort
  
  
  
  • Sitting
  
  
  • Standing
  
  
  • Walking
  
  
  • Kneeling
  
  
  • Lifting – up to 50 pounds
  
  
  • Pushing – up to 50 pounds
  
  
  • Pulling – up to 50 pounds
  
  
  • Manual dexterity 
  
  
  
  

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Up to 25 hours/week, with office hours between 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Will work around the student's schedule. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please address your application to Annette Kelm, Student Services Manager. Please attach both your resume and cover letter with the application.

Application Package must include

• Cover Letter


• Resume

• Copy of tentative Fall 2026 & Winter 2027 class schedule

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Interviews will be conducted April 13 - May 15, 2026 in person at the SAMU Office

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified individuals. We thank all applicants for their interest in this position, but only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.