Education OPT Jobs in Washington

Job Summary

Central Washington University is recruiting a Wildcat Pantry Coordinator (Program Support Supervisor 1) to join our President's Office team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a competitive salary plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~8,300 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for seven out of eight years, CWU was a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. RentCafe has also named CWU #13 of the Top 20 Best College Towns in the U.S. in 2025.

Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

The Role:

The Wildcat Pantry Coordinator is charged with fostering and supporting student initiatives to lead and deliver peer to peer programming regarding access and education on food/needs insecurities. The coordinator has the primary responsibility for developing, implementing, and managing the Wildcat Pantry for the university community. The coordinator will collaborate with multiple academic, administrative, and student groups to plan and coordinate programs, services, and pantries and provide co-curricular opportunities for students.

All employees are expected to uphold and contribute to CWU's vision, mission, and values, fostering a culture of student success and institutional excellence. Administrative Support Employees directly affect the vision, mission, and values of Central Washington University by creating and promoting a welcoming environment where students, faculty, and staff feel supported.

Job Duties

Day-to-Day Operations:

• Ensure Foundation funds and Basic Needs Fee (aka Wildcat Pantry Fee) are accessible and budgeted for programs and offerings. Manage entire program budget.
• Provide onsite support for student employees, interns and volunteers.
• Respectfully collect and utilize data regarding student food and item selection to stock pantries (amplify student voices through connection, surveys; utilize inventory tracking to determine needs).
• Provide basic management of Wildcat Pantry, including student employees and volunteers.
• Identify and communicate Pantry needs and initiatives to CWU constituents, including monthly updates to the Office of the President.
• Provide support and data for social media and marketing efforts.
• Manage the usage, training and operations of PantrySoft software systems. This includes data collection, inventories, and training employees. Work with supervisor to ensure annual contract renewal.
• Ensure the Memo of Understanding (MOUs) with campus partners, contracts and subscriptions are renewed annually.

Student and University Engagement and Outreach:

• Collect and analyze data for evaluation of food access efforts; communicate results.
• Promote education via presentations, workshops/seminars, tabling, social media, etc. to a variety of audiences regarding CWU university food insecurity and resources the Wildcat Pantry offers to aid students.
• Partner and collaborate with the Basic Needs Resource Coordinator in sharing marketing and social media campaigns for increased programs awareness.
• Research decolonizing local food systems and bringing in practices of food justice, and food sovereignty to CWU.
• Develop and maintain university partnerships to provide inclusive spaces and food/item offerings.
• Maintain positive relationships with University Advancement in order to fundraise for Wildcat Pantry growth as well as remarket the Pantry. Cultivate partnerships with community leaders and other institution food pantry coordinators.

Supervisor Duties:

• Actively engage in recruitment of student employees, interns, and volunteers.
• Clearly define performance expectations, ensure accountability, and provide ongoing informal feedback through mentorship.
• Ensure student employees, interns, and volunteers have necessary resources and customer service training skills to staff the Pantry.
• Oversee and direct the work of student employees and interns; serve as mentor, coach and leader; and resolve complaints or issues.
• Research and promote professional development opportunities.
• Develop and foster supportive working relationships, motivation and engagement.
• Communicate information to student employees, interns, and volunteers on an ongoing basis to influence team engagement through leading regular All Staff meetings.
• Schedule student employees, interns, and volunteer work hours/shifts; monitor hours worked and ensure time sheets are turned in within a timely manner.
• Adjust leadership style as needed to achieve results.
• Recognize value of and promote diverse workforce. Value and encourage diverse perspectives, creativity and teamwork.

Program Development and Implementation:

• Utilize effective project management skills to offer comprehensive programs, special events/offerings, and campaigns across the university.
• Mentor student employees by guiding them through the phases of event planning to the culmination of an event.
• Develop and implement social media and marketing (physical signage, website, etc.) which highlights offerings and locations and destigmatizes food insecurity. Emphasis on critical review and editing of documents for clarity, readability, and grammar.
• Offer educational opportunities for academic internships and practicums as needed.
• Build strong university and community partnerships with various departments and city entities which enhance awareness and reduce barriers to access. Examples include but are not limited to:
• Collaborate with Dining Services to enhance the food recovery program.
• Collaborate with Wildcat Neighborhood Farm to provide fresh food's for Pantry.
• Collaborate with Campus Partners (such as Jump Start and OISP) to host educational opportunities for students.
• Collaborate with student groups to offer consistent education to CWU community.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing food pantry operations and/or food security initiatives.
• Demonstrated teaching/training/facilitation/public speaking experience.
• Highly organized, self-directed and able to thrive in a dynamic yet sensitive work environment.
• Demonstrated ability and/or experience working collaboratively with students and/or colleagues to foster a supportive and effective learning and work environment.
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization.
• Knowledge of community organizations, social issues, and civic engagement.
• Ability to create and nurture systems and opportunities for macro change and community activism.
• Knowledge of brand strategy, social campaigns/events, and storytelling.
• Experience in program and/or outcomes assessment.
• Experience supervising student employees and/or volunteers.
• Demonstrated participation in programs designed to promote student success.
• Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students through various activities.

Competencies

• Initiative: Ability to plan work and takes initiative in identifying priorities. Makes constructive suggestions.
• Management: Effectively oversees and directs resources (staff, facilities, budgets, and equipment) for current and emerging needs.
• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Belonging: Values the uniqueness of every individual and fosters an environment where everyone feels respected and empowered to thrive.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU, we're committed to creating a welcoming and genuine workplace. If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification, we still encourage you to apply. This could be the opportunity you're looking for!

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

Salary: This position is based on the range 42 of the Washington State Classification Listing, which has a minimum annual salary of $45,024 and maximum annual salary of $60,132. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions: Involves a combination of office/computer work settings, as well as physical presence in and around the Wildcat Pantry as well as Mini Grab and Go pantry locations on campus. It is essential to meet the physical demands of remaining at a desk/computer workstation for prolonged periods of time, using repetitive arm, hand and finger movements. Some stooping, kneeling, bending, crouching, lifting, walking, carrying or moving of objects or inventory may be required. Work schedule may be flexible for evening or weekend needs based on programming needs. Occasional travel may be expected based on changing needs, requirements, deadlines, and budgetary constraints. This position may be required to spend time outdoors and lift up to 50lbs with assistance.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave and Total Rewards Calculator.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.

How To Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the on-line application and attach:

• A detailed cover letter clearly demonstrating how your education and experience: (a) meet the required (and, as applicable, preferred) qualifications, and (b) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described by the posting;
• Resume including work history, education, training; and
• Contact information for three professional references.

Screening Begins: May 29, 2026

Priority will be given to applications received by the screening date. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Contact Information

Name: Dania Cochran

Title: Chief of Staff

Email: Dania.Cochran@cwu.edu

Phone: (509) 963-1384

Please contact Human Resources at hr@cwu.edu or 509-963-1202 if you require technical assistance with the on-line application process.

Conditions of Employment

Background Check/Reference Check Process:

Prior to employment, final candidate(s) will be required to sign a Sexual Misconduct disclosure in pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 and submit to a background check. All information obtained through background investigations will be strictly confidential and revealed only to those required to have access.

Notice to Prospective Employees:

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Statement

Central Washington University is an EEO/AA/Title IX Institution. Central Washington University's policies and practices affirm and actively promote the rights of all individuals to equal opportunity in education and employment. Discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age, marital status, disability, or status as a protected veteran is prohibited. The university provides an internal procedure for reporting discrimination and affords protection against retaliation for participating in the complaint process. Central Washington University complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders including when soliciting bids and in the fulfillment of all contracts with governmental agencies. Direct related inquiries to Civil Rights Compliance, 202 Barge Hall, Ellensburg, WA 98926-7501; Telephone 509-963-2050; or email crc@cwu.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations

Central Washington University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact Human Resources at HR@cwu.edu or call 509-963-1202. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)

For the Central Washington University Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (i.e. Clery Report) which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, available online here or call CWU Police and Parking Services at 509-963-2959 for a paper copy.