Job description
Start your mission volunteer experience with The Salvation Army today!
We are looking for compassionate people who share our mission and values, if you have the passion and drive to commit yourself to a challenging and rewarding role; we invite you to review our current vacancies.
ABOUT US
The Salvation Army is one of Australia’s largest and most-loved charities, helping thousands of Australians every year find hope in the midst of all kinds of personal hardship. The Salvation Army offers the opportunity to use your skills and expertise to make a real difference in the lives of people who need help most.
SAES Team Members are pre-trained in safe food handling and operating catering equipment in order to be ready for activation, often within a 2-hour timeframe, under the guidance and support of SAES Site Team Leaders.
SAES Team Members are kept busy setting up, preparing meals and cleaning up, ensuring the next incoming team is ready to go. In providing meals, drinks and a place to gather, SAES Teams create a safe and stabilising reprieve for emergency first responders as they take a break from the crisis. A warm meal and a cup of tea can make a huge difference in keeping up with the physical and emotional demands of a first responder’s job.
Having served Australia-wide for more than 140 years, our Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) teams, largely made up of around 2000 volunteers nationally, are often found in the midst of crisis and disaster situations nationally and internationally. Whether it’s a natural disaster like a cyclone, flood, bushfire or earthquake, or an incident such as a transport accident, structure fire or missing person search, SAES volunteers will be on the ground providing catering services to state emergency services such as police, fire and other first responders, as well as in evacuation and recovery centres. SAES teams also provide bedding and material needs to assist displaced community members or may be in farmer’s paddocks, getting alongside the community as the clean-up begins.
Working with a modern fleet of catering vehicles and trailers, SAES Team Members are pre-trained in safe food handling and operating catering equipment. They are ready for activation, often within a 2-hour timeframe, with supplies of food and bottled water, all under the guidance and support of SAES Site Team Leaders. With shifts around the clock, SAES Team Members are kept busy setting up, preparing meals and cleaning up, ensuring the next incoming team is ready to go. In providing meals, drinks and a place to gather, SAES Teams create a safe and stabilising reprieve for emergency first responders as they take a break from the crisis. A warm meal and a cup of tea can make a huge difference in keeping up with the physical and emotional demands of a first responder’s job.
Key responsibilities:
To ensure each shift runs smoothly, under the direction of the SAES Site Team Leader, SAES Team Members will follow a clear process, from pre-commencement briefing, stocking and preparation of food and drinks, set up and pack up of equipment and catering items, gazebos, tables and chairs.
Qualifications and skills (desired/required):
Completion of SAES Team Member training before commencing in the role
Experience in customer and food service desired
Ability to stand for extended periods and use truck ramps and stairs
Good understanding of English language is required
2 referees required if not previously engaged in SAES
Required to be 18 years or over
Must attend pre-shift briefing and orientation, which will also include how to handle media and donations, plus a site-specific child-safe briefing if required (eg if working in an evacuation centre)
Background check requirements:
Background checks play an important part in our commitment to being a safe organisation. Where an applicant has disclosable history, the selection process includes a fair assessment and a risk management approach. Collection of personal information is handled per our privacy and confidentiality policies. Below is what is required for this role:
If undertaking this role in ACT, a Working With Children/Vulnerable People Check is required
Time Required & Commitment:
Four hour shifts (max 2 shifts consecutively as agreed with Team Leader)
Development opportunities with this role:
This role will give volunteers an opportunity to develop skills and build experience in food handling, catering and working within a highly structured team environment. There will also be opportunity to experience the workings of inter-agency emergency and recovery services, in a disaster setting.
The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All child related roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Additionally, certain volunteer roles may require a National Police Check.