Rural FoodShare Outreach Specialist

Overview
We are seeking a dedicated and passionate Rural FoodShare Outreach Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, excellent communication abilities, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the community. Ideally this person will live in the WI counties of Clark, Taylor, Jackson, or Trempealeau. While this is a remote position, periodically they will attend meetings at the food bank in Eau Claire.

Organization: Feed My People Food Bank, Eau Claire WI

Location: Clark, Taylor, Jackson and Trempealeau counties

Type: Full Time, Salaried

About Feed My People Food Bank:

Feed My People Food Bank is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing local food insecurity. Our mission is creating equitable access to food for healthier communities with a vision of ending hunger in West Central Wisconsin. With a strong commitment to providing nutritious meals to those in need, we have been serving our communities since 1982.

Position Summary:

The FoodShare Outreach Specialist conducts outreach to educate the public about the FoodShare Wisconsin benefit at a variety of community locations in the assigned area of Clark, Taylor, Jackson and Trempealeau counties, to actively build collaboration to increase the quantity of FoodShare applications submitted through Feed My people Food Bank, thereby increasing food security. The FSO Specialist also administers assistance to potentially eligible nonparticipants at a variety of locations or by phone to increase access to FoodShare benefits, as well as maintain up-to-date knowledge and understanding of policy issues related to FoodShare.

Position Responsibilities and Essential Function

· Build relationships with community businesses and organizations to facilitate guest referrals for FoodShare application assistance.

· Connect, participate, and engage in initiatives that are mission-aligned and/or provide community value.

· Coordinate with state FoodShare Helpline to schedule local in-person and over the phone application appointments.

· Provide detailed explanation of FoodShare benefits.

· Conduct outreach to all potentially eligible households, particularly populations who are under participating, such as seniors, low-wage workers and immigrant populations.

· Partner effectively with sites and conduct presentations to ensure widespread information dissemination and recruit potential applicants.

· Screen potentially eligible clients using the State of Wisconsin’s ACCESS online application tool and share results with clients.

· Provide personalized FoodShare application assistance (in-person and over- the -phone) utilizing the ACCESS online application and three-way conference calls with the client and consortium.

· Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all aspects of clients’ personal information.

· Serve as a liaison for client follow up and communication.

· Submit clients’ verification documents to the local consortium in a timely manner.

· Participate in statewide FoodShare Outreach team activities and meetings.

· Collect and report data as required in a timely manner.

· Work effectively as a member of food bank staff and as a member of statewide FoodShare Outreach team to share knowledge and build program capacity.

· Schedule and attend weekly check-ins with the Partnership Manager.

· Participate in mandatory Food Bank and FoodShare Outreach team meetings

· Work effectively with the statewide FoodShare Outreach team to share knowledge and build program capacity.

Qualifications:

· Two or more years of relevant outreach experience

· Must reside within the assigned area (Taylor, Clark, Jackson, Trempealeau County)

· Valid driver’s license and good driving record; access to dependable transportation

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills

· Ability to set own priorities and work independently while also being a part of a larger team

· Ability to travel throughout assigned area on a regular basis for outreach, application appointments, and meetings, as well as to Madison for trainings and quarterly meetings.

· Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Office programs and computer skills; specifically, be able to learn quickly Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel), Google Calendar, internet, and ACCESS online software application

Preferred Education/Experience

· Knowledge of and experience with private and public food assistance resources; prior knowledge of FoodShare or SNAP is a bonus

· Experience working successfully with community based, nonprofit organizations

· Bi-lingual (Spanish)

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Eau Claire, WI 54703: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Eau Claire, WI 54703

Salary : $42,000