Benefits Navigation Coordinator - FoodLink : Job Details

Our MissionOur mission is to leverage the power of food to end hunger and build healthier communities.Our VisionWe believe that the fight against hunger and the fight against poverty are one and the same. We envision a future in which food is recognized as a human right and every person is able to feed themselves and their families in dignity. Together, we work to create a more nourished, prosperous region. The Foodlink WayAct With CompassionTake ResponsibilityBe a Team PlayerListen, Learn, Adapt Job Title: Benefits Navigation CoordinatorDepartment: Community Health Programs Reports to: Benefit Navigation ManagerSupervises: N/AStatus: Hourly, Full-time, Non-ExemptJob Level: 6Updated: December 2024SUMMARYThe Benefit Navigation Coordinator will work alongside the Benefits Navigation Manager who is responsible for compliance with the Nutrition Outreach Education Program (NOEP) grant. The Benefit Navigation Coordinator will focus on benefits-related activities that will support the Benefit Access initiative within Foodlink's Community Health Programs. S/he will conduct benefits outreach in their service area, which focuses on helping people determine eligibility for federal nutrition programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and WIC (Women, Infant, and Children) Program. S/he will help increase benefits enrollment, prescreen potentially eligible individuals/households for SNAP/WIC, assist with completing the necessary benefits applications, and help resolve barriers one may encounter when applying for benefits. The assistance provided will help individuals and families in seeking out opportunities to maximize and stretch their food budgets. The Benefits Navigation Coordinator is required to attend mandatory trainings, meetings, and webinars; track client information and outcomes; and report outcomes via contract management systems. The Benefits Navigation Coordinator will work alongside the Benefit Navigation Manager and Community Engagement Coordinator to foster relationships with community stakeholders and help achieve annual program targets.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESOutreach and Community Engagement (50%)

• Collaborate with community organizations, healthcare providers, local businesses, and public agencies to expand the reach of Foodlink's Benefit Navigation services and ensure that underserved communities are aware of available nutrition and benefits resources.
• Help to develop and distribute educational materials, such as flyers, posters, and social content to inform the public about benefits eligibility and application procedures.
• Engage in direct contacts to educate potentially eligible community members through outreach events, presentations, and tabling opportunities within the service area.

Client Support and Benefits Assistance (20%)

• Provide support to individuals seeking assistance with completing applications including explaining eligibility requirements, prescreening households for eligibility and answering questions.
• Connect clients with other support services as needed, such as emergency food resources, to ensure they receive comprehensive support.
• Assist with gathering and submitting required documents and follow up with applicants to determine application status in a timely manner.

Collaboration and Partnerships (15%)

• Work closely with the Benefits Navigation Manager to maintain a working relationship with the local Department of Human Services (DHS).
• Foster strong working relationships with key community stakeholders, including local food pantries, healthcare providers, and public assistance agencies, to ensure coordinated and comprehensive support for clients.

Advocacy and Policy Engagement (5%)

• Stay informed about changes to benefits eligibility and federal or state nutrition programs, ensuring that outreach materials and educational efforts remain current and accurate.

Data Collection and Reporting (5%)

• Confidentially track client information for reporting purposes and maintain accurate data on outreach activities, client interactions, and program outcomes to measure the success of Foodlink's Benefits Navigation initiative.
• Ensure quarterly and annual targets are met, as assigned by Hunger Solutions New York through the NOEP grant, for face-to-face contacts, eligibility prescreening, successful applications/recertifications and any encountered barriers to accessing benefits.
• Report outcomes via Hunger Solutions New York's online Contract Management System.

Provide Increased Capacity Across Community Health Programs team. (5%)

• Be an active member of Foodlink's Community Health Programs team and participate in all team meetings, trainings, webinars, and activities with the goal of advancing benefit access and nutrition programs within the community.
• Support other organizational priorities, as determined by the Benefits Navigation Manager and Director of Community-Based Strategies, given the flexibility required of all staff in a fast-paced, growing organization.

RequirementsQUALIFICATIONS

• At a minimum, must have an Associate's Degree in a relevant field and two (2) years Human Services experience; and two (2) years community outreach and education experience working with low-income populations
• Proficient in interviewing and assessment skills
• Ability to clearly communicate (speak, read and write proficiently) in English required. Ability to clearly communicate (speak, read and write proficiently) in Spanish a plus. Ability to communicate effectively, clearly, and with cultural competence through verbal, written and electronic methods.
• Ability and willingness to work with diverse audiences and maintain cultural sensitivity
• Experience in community engagement and outreach
• Ability to organize, manage, and prioritize multiple tasks, deadlines, requirements, and priorities to complete work in a timely manner and within established deadlines
• Must possess a valid driver's license with a good driving record, have access to a vehicle and be willing to travel within Foodlink's 10 county service area and meet travel requirements of this position
• Ability to work flexible hours which will include evenings and/or weekends
• Ability to transport/move supplies and equipment, climb stairs with or without reasonable accommodation
• Experience with windows-based software including use of the internet and Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, Excel and Teams; Google Suite, and Canva

Preferred candidates will also have:

• Relevant college-level coursework in community work
• Experience with participant-centered approaches to connecting individuals to resources
• Familiarity with available resources, and the service area / community in which the work will take place strongly preferred
• Ability to work independently
• Familiarity with the community in which the work will take place is strongly preferred
• Experience working in the non-profit sector

We are actively seeking a diverse pool of candidates for this position and strongly encourage applications from candidates of color. SALARY AND BENEFITS This is a full-time position paid on an hourly basis ranging from $20.45-$21.63/hour (DOE) . Foodlink covers 100% of individual health and dental insurance with the ability to acquire family coverage with pretax dollars. In addition to generous paid time off (PTO), we observe 14 paid holidays throughout the year. Opportunity to contribute to a 401k retirement savings plan upon hire. Eligible for generous employer match after 1 year of service. Physical Demands 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to handle or feel items such as documents. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus. Able to lift bulk objects or objects weighing up to 50 pounds.Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all- inclusive. Employees will follow other instructions and perform other related duties as required. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Foodlink is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. At Foodlink we believe that anti-hunger work is only possible with a commitment to removing barriers caused by systems of oppression that perpetuate hunger and poverty. We recognize that systematic injustice and bias disproportionately impact some identities more than others. Foodlink is actively working to center equity- the fair treatment of all people- in everything that we do so that everyone in our region has access to nourishing food that reflects and values cultural differences. Foodlink is committed to listening to and supporting solutions to hunger that are sourced from people and communities with lived/living experience of hunger and poverty, and to responding where inequities exist. Foodlink is committed to taking great care to cultivate internal culture and practices that support diversity and inclusion. We embrace and encourage our employees' differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. We aim to foster an environment in which everyone feels a sense of belonging and understands their connection to the Foodlink mission. Foodlink employees have a responsibility to always treat others with dignity and respect. Employees are expected to always exhibit conduct that reflects our values and promotes equity and inclusion during work, and at work functions. Salary Description $20.45-$21.63/hour (DOE)