Job Opportunities

Volunteer Coordinator

Job Title: Volunteer Coordinator
Reports To: Executive Director
Status: Part-Time, Temporary
Location: ACTA Fresno Office; on-site at the Festival (October 2-4, 2026)
Pay Range: $30-$35 per hour, depending on experience
Schedule: August-October 2026; hours vary based on festival planning and operational needs.

To apply, review the full Job Description:
ACTA – Volunteer Coordinator Job Description 2026

JOB SUMMARY
The Festival Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for planning, developing, and managing all aspects of the volunteer program for the Great Valley Gathering Folklife Festival (October 2–4, 2026). Working closely with festival leadership, this position recruits, trains, schedules, and supervises volunteers who support festival operations across performance venues, cultural demonstration areas, guest services, artist hospitality, information booths, accessibility services, and other festival activities. The coordinator creates a welcoming and organized volunteer experience while helping provide adequate staffing across all festival functions.

This position serves as the primary point of contact for volunteers before, during, and after the festival, coordinating volunteer communications, orientations, assignments, recognition, and ongoing support. The Festival Volunteer Coordinator works collaboratively with staff, area coordinators, and production teams to anticipate staffing needs, resolve scheduling challenges, and respond to changing operational priorities throughout the event. Success in this role requires exceptional organizational skills, strong interpersonal and leadership abilities, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic festival environment while fostering a positive, inclusive, and service-oriented volunteer culture.

JOB DUTIES

• Develop and implement a volunteer recruitment and retention plan through community organizations, educational institutions, businesses, cultural organizations, and public outreach. 
• Manage volunteer registration, applications, records, and the volunteer database, including contact information, availability, skills, language abilities, and assigned roles. 
• Coordinate volunteer staffing needs with festival leadership and area coordinators, matching volunteers to assignments based on operational needs, experience, interests, and availability. 
• Develop volunteer schedules and shift assignments for all festival activities. 
• Prepare volunteer communications and conduct volunteer orientation and training sessions prior to the festival. 
• Prepare volunteer materials, including handbooks, credentials, T-shirts, maps, and other resources. 
• Manage Volunteer Headquarters, supervise volunteers, and coordinate volunteer check-in, check-out, scheduling adjustments, and ongoing support throughout the festival. 
• Collaborate with festival leadership and area coordinators to address staffing priorities and operational needs. 
• Coordinate volunteer meals, breaks, hospitality, recognition, and post-event appreciation, evaluations, reporting, and recommendations for future festivals. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS, ATTRIBUTES NEEDED

• Relevant experience in volunteer coordination, event management, nonprofit administration, community engagement, hospitality, or a related field, including recruiting, training, scheduling, and supervising volunteers or teams. 
• Excellent communication, organizational, and project management skills with strong attention to detail. 
• Familiarity with community-based arts, cultural festivals, or public programs and experience working with diverse communities and cultural practitioners are preferred. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace, 
• Experience with volunteer management or event registration software is preferred. 
• Commitment to equity, accessibility, inclusion, and respectful engagement with culturally diverse communities. 
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours during festival planning and operations, including standing and walking for extended periods, working outdoors in varying weather conditions, and lifting or moving materials weighing up to 25 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation. 
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is highly desirable. 
• Valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to travel as needed for festival planning and operations are preferred.

TIME COMMITMENT

August: Approximately 30-35 hours per week
September–October: Approximately 40 hours per week
Onsite presence required for the full duration of the festival, including key production days

Please submit the following application materials to [email protected] with the subject line “Volunteer Coordinator”: 

• Cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience 
• Current resume 
• Three professional references, including each reference’s name, title, organization, contact information, and relationship to you

APPLICATION DEADLINE

This position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The preferred start date is August 3, 2026.

 

FOODWAYS COORDINATOR

Job Title: Foodways Coordinator
Reports To: Executive Director
Status: Part-Time, Temporary
Location: ACTA Fresno Office; on-site at the Festival (October 2-4, 2026)
Pay Range: $30-$35 per hour, depending on experience
Schedule: August-October 2026; hours vary based on festival planning and operational needs.

To apply, review the full Job Description:
ACTA – Foodways Coordinator Job Description 2026

JOB SUMMARY

The Foodways Coordinator is responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing the Foodways Program for the Great Valley Gathering Folklife Festival (October 2–4, 2026), highlighting California’s diverse culinary traditions through demonstrations, conversations, tastings, and educational experiences. Working closely with the Festival Director, Festival Coordinator, and Production team, this position coordinates tradition bearers, chefs, cooks, farmers, and community partners to present engaging programs that celebrate the cultural significance of food as an expression of heritage, identity, and community. The Foodways Coordinator serves as the primary liaison for Foodways presenters throughout the planning and festival process, coordinating communications, schedules, program logistics, demonstration needs, and on-site support. This position helps create meaningful visitor experiences while supporting participating culture bearers and maintaining the cultural integrity of the festival’s Foodways programming.

JOB DUTIES

• Coordinate all logistical aspects of the Foodways Program following selection by the Festival Director.
• Coordinate communications with presenters before, during, and after the festival.
• Develop and maintain Foodways schedules and coordinate demonstration timing, transitions, and integration with the overall festival program.
• Coordinate demonstration space layouts, staging, equipment, utilities, supplies, and ingredient procurement
• Work with presenters, vendors, and festival staff to coordinate food preparation, demonstration logistics, setup, operations, and breakdown.
• Assist with interpretive materials, signage, educational content, and visitor engagement for the Foodways area.
• Monitor Foodways activities throughout the festival, addressing operational issues and coordinating solutions with festival leadership and staff.
• Maintain accurate program records, schedules, participant information, and other program documentation.
• Assist with post-event evaluations, reporting, and program documentation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS, ATTRIBUTES NEEDED

• Experience coordinating cultural programs, culinary events, festivals, educational programming, or community events.
• Knowledge of traditional foodways, culinary heritage, agriculture, or cultural arts is highly desirable.
• Experience working with artists, culture bearers, chefs, or community organizations.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to coordinate multiple presenters, schedules, and logistical details simultaneously.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt quickly in a dynamic event environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours during festival operations.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods and lift or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is highly desirable.
• Valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation are preferred.

TIME COMMITMENT

August: Approximately 30-35 hours per week
September–October: Approximately 40 hours per week
Onsite presence required for the full duration of the festival, including key production days

TO APPLY 

Please submit the following application materials to [email protected] with the subject line “Foodways Coordinator”: 

• Cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience 
• Current resume 
• Three professional references, including each reference’s name, title, organization, contact information, and relationship to you

APPLICATION DEADLINE

This position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The preferred start date is August 3, 2026.

 

FOOD VENDOR COORDINATOR

Job Title: Food Vendor Coordinator
Reports To: Executive Director
Status: Part-Time, Temporary
Location: ACTA Fresno Office; on-site at the Festival (October 2-4, 2026)
Pay Range: $30-$35 per hour, depending on experience
Schedule: August-October 2026; hours vary based on festival planning and operational needs.

To apply, review the full Job Description:
ACTA – Food Vendor Coordinator Job Description 2026

JOB SUMMARY

The Food Vendor Coordinator manages all aspects of food vendor participation for the Great Valley Gathering Folklife Festival (October 2–4, 2026), serving as the primary liaison between the festival and participating food vendors. Working closely with the Festival Director and staff, this position coordinates vendor communications, contracting, permitting, site logistics, and on-site operations to create a diverse, efficient, and welcoming food experience that reflects the cultural mission of the festival. The Food Vendor Coordinator oversees vendor logistics from initial outreach through festival closeout, helping vendors navigate application requirements, health and safety regulations, operational procedures, and festival expectations. This position collaborates with Production, Operations, and site management teams to support vendor success while maintaining compliance with all applicable regulations and festival policies.

JOB DUTIES

• Serve as the primary point of contact for food vendors throughout the planning process and festival.
• Manage the vendor intake process, maintain accurate vendor records, and coordinate vendor onboarding, following selection by the Festival Director.
• Prepare, collect, and track vendor agreements, permits, licenses, insurance certificates, and other required documentation, coordinating with local health departments and regulatory agencies as needed.
• Communicate festival policies, schedules, deadlines, participation requirements, and procedures to all food vendors.
• Collect and manage vendor operational information, including menus, pricing, equipment needs, utility requirements, and other logistical details.
• Coordinate vendor site assignments, infrastructure needs, load-in, setup, inspections, schedules, and load-out.
• Conduct vendor orientations and monitor compliance with health, safety, operational, and festival regulations throughout the event.
• Document vendor participation, operational issues, post-event evaluations, and recommendations for future festivals.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS, ATTRIBUTES NEEDED

• Experience coordinating vendors, festivals, farmers markets, special events, or community events. 
• Strong organizational and project management skills. 
• Excellent customer service and relationship-building abilities. 
• Knowledge of food vendor operations, health permits, and event logistics preferred. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Experience working with culturally diverse communities and small business owners. 
• Ability to solve problems quickly in a fast-paced event environment. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace. 
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours during festival operations. 
• Bilingual English/Spanish is highly desirable. 
• Valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation preferred. 

TIME COMMITMENT

August: Approximately 30-35 hours per week
September–October: Approximately 40 hours per week
Onsite presence required for the full duration of the festival, including key production days

TO APPLY 

Please submit the following application materials to [email protected] with the subject line “Food Vendor Coordinator”: 

• Cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience 
• Current resume 
• Three professional references, including each reference’s name, title, organization, contact information, and relationship to you

APPLICATION DEADLINE

This position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The preferred start date is August 3, 2026.