Food Distribution Materials Handler

Department Information

Work Unit:

This position resides in the Department of Human Services within the Division of Food and Energy Assistance.

The Food Distribution Programs (FDP) unit administers three USDA nutrition programs currently providing more than $50M in food to alleviate hunger in Colorado. Programs include USDA Foods for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) and Child and Adult Care Food Programs (CACFP), Department of Defense (DoD) Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP); The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). FDP also has responsibility for mass and disaster feeding programs.

Administration of these programs includes contracting with nonprofit, for-profit and other government entities to order, warehouse and distribute USDA Foods, monitoring, creating policy and procedures, statewide training, evaluation, and support. Core external partners include food banks, food pantries, commercial warehouses and third-party logistics, county government, the USDA, school districts, childcare centers and food processors. FDP will begin operating a warehouse and statewide distribution system for NSLP USDA Foods in June 2023.

Description of Job

• Loading, Receiving and Distribution of Food
• Food Safety
• Inventory Control

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Preferred Qualifications:

The preferred experience, competencies and abilities are highly desirable for this position and will be considered in selecting the successful candidate:

• Ability to use proper lifting techniques
• Professional experience working for a food producer or food-related non-profit.
• The successful candidate will have a record of reliability and dependability
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently with attention to detail.
• Excellent customer service.
• Ability to maintain a clean driving record.
• Equipment certifications such as forklift.
• Knowledge of distribution practices

Conditions of Employment:

• Criminal background check (including reference check), and pre-employment drug test.
• Colorado Driver's License
• Ability to travel in-state to visit recipient agencies, make deliveries. Out of state to conferences.
• Ability to operate lift trucks, pallet wrappers, walkie-riders, manual and electric pallet jacks and forklifts.
• Ongoing Function Capacity Testing
• Ability to work a shift-based schedule.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

Supplemental Information

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid life insurance
• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at [email protected] or call 1-800-929-0791.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~