We're Hiring: AmeriCorps Member Disabled & Aging Population Specialist

Job Title: Disabled & Aging Population Specialist (DAPS)
Organization: Beyond Hunger
Reports to: Program Manager
Supervises: Volunteers

Job Summary:
Food insecurity negatively impacts individuals across the age spectrum.  For seniors and adults with disabilities, these effects can be compounded given the unique health, economic, and nutritional challenges they face. Beyond Hunger aims to provide access to nutritious foods along with connections to federal and state benefits to help members of these vulnerable populations achieve more lasting food security. The Disabled & Aging Population Specialist (DAPS) is critical to the success of that goal by connecting targeted groups to healthy foods through special programs. The DAPS will coordinate the execution of the Home Delivery Program and assist in delivering the Social Services Program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Major Responsibilities- Program Coordination:
Home Delivery
Expansion:
• Assist in design of performance objectives for targeted expansion.
• Assist in the development of timeline and communication plan to guide expansion.
• Participate in meetings with potential expansion partners and activities.
• Liaise with volunteer and staff to ensure effective and efficient program implementation.
• Assist in monitoring progress on program outcomes.
Program Operations:
• Assist Programs Manager with day-to-day operations of the Home Delivery (HD) program.
• Liaise with targeted social impact agencies to coordinate the delivery of groceries to clients.
• Participate in on-going assessment of the effectiveness of day-to-day operations and detect areas where efficiency may be improved.
• Communicate monthly with individual clients to confirm participation and dietary needs.
• Communicate with Registered Dietitian in revising new clients’ dietary restrictions and to ensure dietary plans for targeted medical needs are effectively implemented.
• Coordinate with Pantry Manager or Pantry Supervisor to ensure effective allocation of food items from the pantry’s inventory to the HD program.
• Create a monthly menu of groceries and order fresh produce from wholesaler.
• Create and modify distribution routes as client usage changes.
• Collaborate with Volunteer Coordinator to recruit and train volunteers for the program.
• Coordinate volunteers during the calling, bagging, and delivery shifts.
• Troubleshoot problems in the packaging and delivery process as they arise.
• Assist with data collection and data entry into Salesforce and Food Bank Manager.
• Communicate with referral agencies regularly to keep track of new clients, clients dropping from the program, and issues that may arise.

Social Services Program
• Assist in educating Pantry clients on available benefits and pre-screen those who wish to determine if application for benefits is appropriate. 
• Perform individual assessments to determine client resource needs.
• Pre-screen clients for benefit eligibility
• Assist eligible clients in applying for SNAP, Benefit Access Program, etc.
• Make follow up calls to clients who complete applications or are interested in applying.
• Troubleshoot problems with failed applications and assist clients in following up with revisions.
• Record client visits and phone calls appropriately in Salesforce.
• Research and keep updated on benefit regulations and changes at a local, state and federal level.
Outreach:
• Assist in the development of an outreach plan according to program needs and capacity.
• Implement public relations and communication strategies to support program goals and increase community awareness and participation.
• Conduct monthly SNAP Outreach clinics/services at off-site partner locations.
• Oversee NowPow and HUB client referrals from local service agencies.
Advocacy:
• Attend Community Quality Council meetings at local DHS offices
• Attend Greater Chicago Food Depository trainings, as directed
• Participate in annual Anti-Hunger conference in Springfield, if directed
• Engage in continuing education on hunger relief policy at both the state and federal level, particularly those policies related to nutrition programs (SNAP, WIC, etc.)

Qualifications:
• High School Diploma with 2-year’s related experience minimum.
• College Degree and related experience in nutrition, public health, social work, no-profit/management preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Must be a team-player and detail-oriented.
• Ability to work with and encourage interaction between people of all ages and abilities.
• Current driver’s license and automobile liability insurance.
• Food Handlers Sanitation licensure (or willingness and ability to achieve it once hired—fees paid by Beyond Hunger)
• Bi-lingual skills (English/Spanish) are a plus.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.

Member Status and Hours: Full-time AmeriCorps Member; 1700 hours to be completed within contracted timeframe (one year). Schedule is Monday through Saturday, during normal business hours and must be willing to work occasional evening hours.  
Environment:  Multi-level work area: administrative offices/work space not fully accessible to the mobility impaired.  Must be physically capable of walking up and down stairs and be able to lift 40 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Workplace is a smoke- and drug-free environment.  Equal opportunity employer.
Benefits:
Living Allowance: $14,279  to be distributed in equal allotments every two weeks within the contract term.
Education Award: Upon successful completion of the member's term of service, the member will receive an education award from the National Service Trust in the amount of $5,920.
Health care insurance for the AmeriCorps member at no cost to them is available.
Child care assistance available, if applicable.

Interested applicants please submit resume and cover letter to Adriana Riano, Program Manager. Email Adriana@gobeyondhunger.org.