Job Description
CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS
Sustainability Projects Fellow at Foodbank of Santa Barbara County Location :
Goleta, California Number of Positions Available :
4 Time Commitment :
September 21, 2026 - August 13, 2027 This is a full-time, 11-month, 1700-hour program from September 21, 2026 - August 13, 2027. Fellows in this position commit to a 40-hour work week, Monday - Friday, approximately 7AM - 3:30PM, with occasional evening and weekend commitments based on project needs. 170-340 of these hours are dedicated to professional development. •Please note : Due to the full-time commitment of the Fellowship, students enrolled in undergraduate courses between Sep 21, 2026 - Aug 13, 2027 will not be eligible to participate in the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship. —— About the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship The California Climate Action Corps has over 400 positions available across California for the 2026-27 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—with 170-340 dedicated hours for professional development and training, providing 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. ——— Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2026, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply and undergo a CCAC info session before June 19. ——— Program Benefits The Foodbank offers a variety of professional development opportunities, including topics like volunteer management, media training, programs and nutrition messaging, development operations, food insecurity, equity, diversity and inclusion, and more. Fellows will have the opportunity to be involved in all learning and development initiatives and training while at the Foodbank, and will have weekly check-ins with their supervisors and mentors. We also have regular All-Company meetings with organization-wide team-building opportunities. Forklift certification is available. Other benefits include:
Receive a $35,250 stipend (before taxes) distributed evenly over the 11-month service term Receive $10,000 in education awards (before taxes and upon completion of 1700 hours) Participation in 170-340 hours of training and professional development Receive $300 in professional development funds 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 As food insecurity continues to rise in the community, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara is expanding our Sustainability Program to ensure food is redistributed to low-income populations throughout Santa Barbara County, while educating the community about how our efforts directly support sustainability and address climate change. Our sustainability program includes four interconnected initiatives. Backyard Bounty and Grocery Rescue are volunteer-powered food rescue and edible food recovery programs that redirect fresh produce and nonperishable items from backyards, orchards, and grocery stores into immediate community distribution. We recently expanded with two new initiatives. The Gardening Education Program introduces local youth to sustainability and soil health through hands-on garden-based learning. Our Compost Program features newly installed industrial composters at each site, ensuring surplus food is transformed into nutrient-rich soil rather than sent to landfill. Together, these initiatives hold significant potential to expand food recovery efforts and deepen community education. The goal is to increase awareness, inspire broader participation in food recovery, and grow the volume of fresh produce and nonperishables distributed to the communities served. Duties include, but are not limited to: Manage Backyard Bounty gleaning events with volunteer recruitment and training, donor engagement, identifying new properties, and community education in backyard harvesting, orchard care, and food donation Build a Lead Volunteer model, training volunteer leads on donor relationships and health and environmental benefits to improve the Grocery Rescue program Partner with the Education team to support the first teaching garden and guide students and volunteers in soil health management for the Gardening Education Program Coordinate volunteers for sorting facility and warehouse pre-packs, manage the compost machine, and develop volunteer roles to support daily operations Develop an education plan and outreach materials to highlight the sustainability program benefits, SB 1383 compliance, and food rescue efforts Educate potential partners, donors, volunteers, and the community at events like Earth Day and school fairs Track program data and analyze results to quantify climate impact Minimum Program Eligibility Requirements Live in California by August 14, 2026 Be at least 18 years of age by August 14, 2026 Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent Must be a US Citizen, US National, or lawful US resident to participate Preferred Qualifications/Skills Ability to lift up to 30 lbs, and experience in community outreach, composting, edible food recovery, engaging with K-12 students, environmental education, event coordination & planning, Google suite, graphic design, marketing & social media, Microsoft Office Suite and Teams, project management, and volunteer management & engagement. Must possess a valid driver's license. 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 Foodbank of Santa Barbara County The Foodbank of Santa Barbara County's mission is to end hunger and transform the health of Santa Barbara County through good nutrition. We are pushing beyond the traditional scope of a food bank by providing more than just food. With nutrition education, disaster preparedness, environmental sustainability, and community resilience at the forefront of our mission, we are striving to solve the underlying causes of hunger in Santa Barbara County. More info:
foodbanksbc.org —— Apply Today! Applications are accepted May 1 - July 31, 2026, with priority consideration given to applicants who apply undergo a CCAC info session before June 19. Interviews will take place May-Aug, with all positions filled by September 4, 2026. 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. Applicants can select up to 5 preferred positions within the California Climate Action Corps Fellowship application. Job Types:
Full-time, Temporary Pay:
$3,204.00 per month Benefits:
Health insurance Paid time off Professional development assistance Tuition reimbursement People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply Work Location:
In person
