Benefits Assistance Coordinator - Central Texas Food Bank : Job Details

DescriptionPosition Overview This role serves as the primary contact for individuals who are seeking food assistance and using a social determinants of health lens to assess and provide intervention opportunities, including food access information and education, referrals for internal and external programs, as well as state public benefit program application assistance including SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, CHIP, TANF and others. In this position, you will be operating both onsite at the food bank as well as out in the field, working with our local and regional partners, assisting eligible individuals in the application process for SNAP and other state benefits. You will also assist with answering the Helpline and screening and referring clients to other programs or services.Relationships Building and maintaining collaborative and meaningful relationships is a core component of this position. Reporting to the Benefits and Emergency Services Manager within the Empowerment Programs area, this position will also need to nurture strong connections with colleagues on various teams, especially Workforce training, Client Meals, Nutrition Education, and Network Programs and Services to ensure wrap-around services are provided to each client. Proven and demonstrated professionalism and effective communication skills to achieve goals are necessary for this role. Working Conditions

• Hours of Operation: GenerallyMonday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., although some evening and weekend hours may be required, especially during peak times, disaster response, or holidays
• Environment: This position works in a typical office setting. There may be extended periods of sitting, standing and/or bending; listening, talking and/or visual concentration; writing and/or computer use. Occasional work will occur in the warehouse or outside in inclement weather. The position also requires working independently and with others on a team.
• Travel: CTFB serves 21 counties in central Texas and often requires same-day travel between counties, using a personal vehicle, CTFB passenger fleet and possibly occasional out of town travel for meetings, special events or meeting for some positions.
• OSHA Standards - Lifting requirements are 50 pounds and when lifting loads heavier than 50 pounds, use two or more people to lift the load.

RequirementsYour Qualifications

• Two years in a full-time, wage-earning role in social services within a non-profit organization or a Bachelor's degree from a college or university in Social Work or related field preferred
• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• The ability to read, write, and speak proficiently in Spanish are required
• Knowledge of central Texas and its network of services for low-income families is preferred
• Strong moral compass with commitment to improving the lives of those we serve in a dignified environment.
• Strong customer service skills

• Belief in CTFB's mission, vision, values and culture
• Display a willingness and desire to work with people from diverse ethnic, socioeconomic and religious backgrounds.
• Display a commitment to service above all else.

Your Responsibilities

• Assist individuals in the application process for SNAP and other State benefits in person, via phone, and through virtual appointments both on-site and in the community.

• Assist with walk-in clients, answering inbound phone calls, emails and other referrals in a timely manner and utilization of the language line to facilitate client appointments when necessary

• Educate potential SNAP recipients and community members on-site and off-site at Partner Agencies located throughout our 21-county service area
• Develop new relationships with community partners to improve program outcomes

• Maintain a results-oriented work ethic; set and meet predetermined goals regarding application, referral and outreach activity.
• Coordinate day-to-day administrative activities and tasks such as answering helpline calls, assessing clients for eligible CTFB programs, scheduling client appointments, corresponding to SNAP online inquiries, updating Standard Operating Procedures, pulling reports and updating client database, etc.
• Manage high volume of calls, respond promptly and courteously to in-person inquiries from community members requesting SNAP application assistance, access to a food pantry and other resources internally or within the community.
• Through a social determinants of health lens, screen clients for a diverse array of CTFB client services and develop an intervention plan including referrals to internal and external programs
• Deliver client services from a trauma-informed, strengths-based service delivery model
• Facilitate direct access to immediate food needs through on-site, client choice food pantry
• Meet all scheduled reporting requirements.
• Maintain daily records of all activities and outreach, utilizing data and client tracking software and spreadsheets.
• Ensure client confidentiality and HIPAA requirements are upheld.

• Providing superior customer service to all our Partner Agencies and any individuals you help through our program
• Represents CTFB at community events, food pantry sites, and mobile distributions to screen for and assist with benefits assistance. Note: These events may be after hours or on weekends.

• Assist in the preparation of reports, data gathering, and completion of goals, metrics and deadlines.
• Commit to supporting CTFB's mission, vision, values, and culture
• Perform other duties as necessary and/or requested, including utilizing language skills you possess for the benefit of the organization and its clients