Food Rescue Fellow

CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS

Food Rescue Fellow at White Pony Express

Location: Concord, California

Number of Positions Available: 3

Time Commitment: September 15, 2025 - August 14, 2026

This is a full-time, 11-month, 1700-hour program from September 15, 2025 - August 14, 2026. Fellows commit to a 40-hour work week, typically Sunday - Saturday, approximately 7am - 4pm, with occasional evening and weekend commitments based on project needs. 175+ of these hours are dedicated to professional development. Onsite 5 days per week.

**Please note: Due to the full-time commitment of the Program, students enrolled in undergraduate courses between Sep 15, 2025 - Aug 14, 2026 will not be eligible to participate in the California Climate Action Corps Program.

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About the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship

The California Climate Action Corps has over 400 positions available across California for the 2025-26 CCAC Fellowship. This is a climate-focused, workforce development program for emerging climate and environmental leaders. These are paid, full-time fellowships—similar to internships—but with over 175 dedicated hours for professional development and training while receiving hands-on experience in the climate field.

CCAC Fellows are matched with organizations across California to mobilize communities to take direct climate action and lead projects focused on wildfire resiliency, urban greening, and organic waste diversion and edible food recovery.

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Applications are accepted May 1 - July  31, 2025, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 20, 2025.

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Program Benefits

As a fellow with White Pony Express, you'll benefit from a supportive and collaborative organizational culture that fosters growth and development. You'll have opportunities for mentoring from experienced professionals, networking with community leaders and organizations, and professionals' development through training and hands-on experience. Other benefits include:

• Receive up to $33,600 stipend (before taxes) distributed evenly over the 11-month service term
• Earn up to $10,000 in education awards (before taxes and upon completion of 1700 hours)
• Participation in 175+ hours of training and professional development
• Receive food assistance via CalFresh (for those eligible)
• Forbearance on existing qualifying student loans and interest payments accrued during the service term*
• Minimum essential healthcare coverage
• Childcare assistance* (for those eligible)

Description of Duties

White Pony Express (WPE) is embarking on an ambitious mission to tackle food waste and insecurity in Contra Costa County, and we need your help! As our Food Rescue Fellow, you'll play a pivotal role in mobilizing volunteers, cultivating community partnerships, and spearheading educational initiatives to raise awareness about these critical issues. Fellows will recruit and coordinate volunteers for our food rescue efforts, establishing strategic partnerships to expand our reach, and lead engaging workshops and events to educate the community about food waste and insecurity. As part of our climate education activities, you'll have the opportunity to share our inspiring environmental impact story with the world. From showcasing how our food rescue program has eliminated over 17,000 tons of carbon dioxide to educating food generators about the critical role they play in climate mitigating efforts, you'll be instrumental in driving positive change. With our innovative Food Rescue Hero app revolutionizing the way we connect donors with recipients, there's never been a more exciting time to join our team. Together, we'll not only minimize food waste but also support our community's most vulnerable members, ensuring that no one goes hungry in Contra Costa County. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Recruit and coordinate volunteers for food rescue efforts, ensuring efficient coordination and support for our mission
• Cultivate strategic community partnerships to expand our outreach, food recovery capacity, and impact
• Facilitate engaging educational workshops and events to raise awareness about food waste and insecurity in the community, requirements of SB 1383, and WPE food rescue and GHG reduction efforts
• Craft dynamic content to effectively communicate our impact story, promote sustainable food choices, and engage the public through various outreach channels, marketing strategies, and social media platforms
• Assist in the launch of our innovative Food Rescue Hero app, initiating a new collection and distribution system to increase food rescue capacity and ensure the food reaches those in need
• Track program data and analyze results to quantify climate impact

Minimum Program Eligibility Requirements

• Live in California by August 15, 2025
• Be at least 18 years of age by August 15, 2025
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or lawful US resident to participate

Preferred Qualifications/Skills

Experience in Community Outreach, Composting, Data/Quantitative Analysis, Edible Food Recovery, Engaging with K-12 students, Environmental Education, Event Coordination & Planning, GIS / Mapping, Habitat Restoration, Marketing or Social Media, Microsoft Office Suite and Teams, Project Management, Public Speaking/Facilitation, Technical Writing, Volunteer Management & Engagement, and the Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. Fluency in Spanish is a plus. Other valuable contributions include:

• An interest in climate change mitigation, volunteerism, or public service
• Experience with outreach, education, training, or community behavior change
• Fundamental understanding of climate change science, environmental policies in California, and/or environmental priorities
• Excellent organizational, writing, interpersonal, and speaking skills

About White Pony Express

White Pony Express (WPE) is a volunteer-powered 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to eliminate hunger and poverty by delivering the abundance all around us to those in need—with love. We serve 120,000 people each year through more than 90 partner agencies. Since our inception, WPE has rescued and delivered more than 25 million pounds of nutritious food—equal to 21 million meals—which prevented more than 31,000 tons of CO2 emissions from entering the air we breathe. More info: whiteponyexpress.org

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Apply Today!

Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2025, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 20, 2025. Interviews will take place May - August, with all positions filled by September 2025. This is a competitive program and interviews are not guaranteed. CCAC is an equal opportunity Fellowship with a preference for candidates already living in the communities they will serve. Applications are for the California Climate Action Corps Program in general, but applicants can select up to 5 preferred organizations and positions within the application.

*Program structure, fellow benefits, and final participation are subject to approved grant award(s).