Campus Resource & Sustainability Coordinator AmeriCorps Service Position at the University of Montana Office of Sustainability
About the Position: The Campus Resource & Sustainability Coordinator is a full-time AmeriCorps position hosted at the University of Montana’s Office of Sustainability through the Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement (MCNCE). This role directly addresses barriers to student success by expanding access to food and essential resources while creating meaningful civic engagement opportunities on campus.
The Coordinator will play a leading role in developing and operating the Loop, UM’s student-facing campus thrift store, providing affordable goods while diverting reusable materials from the waste stream. A central focus of this position is improving student food access through the Catering Cupboard, which connects surplus campus dining food directly to the campus food pantry, reducing food waste while ensuring more students have reliable access to meals. The Coordinator also supports zero waste programming at Griz Stadium, engaging students in hands-on sustainability efforts that connect individual action to broader community impact.
Responsibilities:
- The member will operate the Loop, UM’s student-facing campus thrift store, managing materials intake, tracking inventory, and connecting students directly to affordable goods and campus resources including the ASUM food pantry.
- The member will coordinate with Bear Necessities and UM Catering to collect, measure, and distribute surplus food to students in need, reducing food waste while putting meals directly into students’ hands.
- The member will conduct waste audits, distribute composting containers to student apartments, and train zero waste ambassadors to run sustainable events at Griz Stadium.
- The member will plan and lead community service projects tied to National Days of Service, directly engaging students as volunteers and civic participants in the Missoula community.
Ideal Candidate Qualities:
- Broad understanding of how basic needs intersect with sustainability issues
- Excellent organizational skills, including documenting work, coordinating events, and day-to-day administrative tasks
- Familiarity with a university campus environment and comfort working in that setting
Professional Skills You Will Gain
- Relationship building with diverse student populations
- Peer support and active listening
- Food pantry and resource center operations
- SNAP training and food systems knowledge
- Hands-on sustainability experience
- Event planning, coordination, and workshop facilitation
- Volunteer management and engagement
- Leadership and civic reflection training
- Campus and community partnership development
- Project ownership and management
About MCNCE
The Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement (MCNCE) serves as the intermediary for this position. MCNCE is a coalition of Montana colleges and universities dedicated to fostering civic engagement, service learning, and volunteerism. Led by institutional CEOs, MCNCE works to improve community life and prepare students to be thoughtful, compassionate, and engaged leaders.
