What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Services Program Assistant position at High Plains Food Bank?
Job Description
Job Description
JOB SUMMARY
High Plains Food Bank is the leading hunger-relief organization in the Texas Panhandle, distributing food with dignity to Panhandle residents struggling with hunger. High Plains Food Bank Social Services team assists eligible clients with the SNAP application, dispels myths about SNAP, and helps eliminate barriers to accessing the program. We work collaboratively with Feeding Texas and Texas Health and Human Services Commission, and other SNAP advocates to provide support for clients throughout the complex application process.
Under the direction of the Director of Social Services, the Program Assistant will work to build the capacity of High Plains Food Bank’s SNAP Outreach and Referral Partner programs in the community through project development and implementation, relationship building, technical support, data entry and resource development, while assisting with SNAP applications and case management.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and / or abilities required.
The following duties and responsibilities are essential, but do not represent all the job functions that may be required to be performed by this position. Other comparable duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed. Occasional evening and weekend work required as determined by program needs or as assigned. Some service area and in State travel is required as needed.
- Provide client assistance in a call-in and walk-in environment, ensuring calls and walk-in clients are handled efficiently and with a high degree of professional and compassionate service.
- Responsible for overseeing all aspects of our data entry to ensure the integrity of all information and demographics provided.
- Ensure the data collection for all required reporting and provide reports in a timely manner.
- Responsible for strict adherence to all outlined protocols regarding application security systems.
- Responsible for addressing client concerns / complaints regarding the federal benefit application process and investigate any issues and provide resolutions to client concerns.
- Work with the Director of Social Services to identify gaps in services to target populations and strategize models of outreach to address the need.
- Act as a liaison between High Plains Food Bank and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission personnel to advocate for client-related case issues.
- Organize and attend outreach events at partnering sites around the Texas Panhandle to spread SNAP awareness.
- Develop working knowledge of SNAP program rules and regulations
- Maintain and distribute local, culturally relevant SNAP resources and outreach materials.
- Lead and participate in direct SNAP application assistance and client case management via phone calls, in-person assistance and virtual assistance.
EDUCATION / YEARS EXPERIENCE
Required
Preferred
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Standard office equipment and machines such as telephone, personal computer, and multi-function copy machine.
LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS
Must have reliable transportation and possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license, a satisfactory driving record, including proof of personal vehicle insurance coverage and insurability under the Agency’s insurance carrier standards.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL & ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to :
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work to be performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties.
Company Description
The mission of High Plains Food Bank is to alleviate hunger in the Texas Panhandle. Founded in 1982, High Plains Food Bank (HPFB) is a nonprofit organization serving as the clearing house for collection, storage, and distribution of donated and purchased grocery products, providing aide to the top 29 counties in the Texas Panhandle. HPFB partners with 165 different agencies, including churches, senior centers, child care facilities, halfway houses, soup kitchens, Kids Cafes, emergency pantries, shelters, and other nonprofits. Counties in our 30,000 square mile service area include Armstrong, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Collingsworth, Cottle, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hale, Hall, Hansford, Hardeman, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, and Wheeler.
Many families in the Texas Panhandle are food insecure, or truly make choices between paying utilities or buying food each month. HPFB can provide 4 meals worth of food for every dollar donated, in part due to our membership with Feeding America and their nationwide partnerships. Other sources of donated food include the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program, local food drives, grocery stores, processing plants, and individual donors. Additionally, HPFB purchases food to supplement the warehouse supply in order to provide a variety of foods high in nutritional value. HPFB accepts donations and make recurring giving easy through our secure web page : hpfb.org / donate. The need is real, and your help is vital.
Company Description
The mission of High Plains Food Bank is to alleviate hunger in the Texas Panhandle. Founded in 1982, High Plains Food Bank (HPFB) is a nonprofit organization serving as the clearing house for collection, storage, and distribution of donated and purchased grocery products, providing aide to the top 29 counties in the Texas Panhandle. HPFB partners with 165 different agencies, including churches, senior centers, child care facilities, halfway houses, soup kitchens, Kids Cafes, emergency pantries, shelters, and other nonprofits. Counties in our 30,000 square mile service area include Armstrong, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Collingsworth, Cottle, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hale, Hall, Hansford, Hardeman, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, and Wheeler. Many families in the Texas Panhandle are food insecure, or truly make choices between paying utilities or buying food each month. HPFB can provide 4 meals worth of food for every dollar donated, in part due to our membership with Feeding America and their nationwide partnerships. Other sources of donated food include the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program, local food drives, grocery stores, processing plants, and individual donors. Additionally, HPFB purchases food to supplement the warehouse supply in order to provide a variety of foods high in nutritional value. HPFB accepts donations and make recurring giving easy through our secure web page : hpfb.org / donate. The need is real, and your help is vital.