Starting Pay: $21.00 - $25.00

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Partner Services department maintains relationships with over 600 hunger relief organizations that distribute food and non-food resources. The Community Partner Liaison is responsible for traveling to Partner sites within the Houston Food Bank’s 18-county service area to monitor compliance, train Partners, and provide resources and support. This position provides excellent customer service and technical assistance to Partners daily. This position maintains relationships with various community collaborators and provides exceptional customer service and support to all internal and external stakeholders. This position is responsible for compliance visits, conflict resolution, problem-solving, community engagement, as well as ongoing compliance training for Partners. 

Adhere to PACT values. (Purpose: Using our strengths passionately to contribute to our mission. Accountability: Choosing to rise above one’s circumstances and demonstrating ownership to achieve results. See It. Own It. Solve It. Do It. Courage: Standing up for what’s right and acting. Transparency: Doing things openly and honestly). 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Reliable, consistent, on-site attendance is a requirement. This position requires punctuality and dependable attendance to meet the needs of the business, including attending and taking part in meetings and presentations.
2. Provides Partner support through a relational work style; including conducting a needs assessment to determine the best way to support the Partner.
3. Documents information related to Partners in electronic system files, and accounts tracking system.
4. Responsible for Partner recruitment, training, and capacity development.
5. Responsible for community engagement and advocacy.
6. Updates and maintains Partner Services policies and procedures.
7. Provides primary customer service to the assigned partner caseload.
8. Updates the Suite Commerce Advanced (SCA) database with partner details to maintain current Partner information. 
9. Conducts training, i.e. orientation, food safety workshops, and agency conferences.
10. Coordinates logistics for the Share Your Holidays Food Drive.
11. Provides Partner relations and member support.
12. Identifies potential community resources for partner agencies.
13. Provides written reports and letters.
14. Provides Partners with technology training on various platforms (i.e. Link2Feed (L2F) for client intake).
15. Assists partners with meeting partnership service requirements and provides ongoing training.
16. Participates in monthly community events (i.e., a meeting, a coalition, a special event, or anything relevant to the communities relevant to our partners).
17. Assists Partners with access to the Partner Portal and provides training as needed to navigate the portal. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma from an accredited school or general education development (GED) certificate. 
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Public Health, Psychology or Social Work, Humanities, or a closely related field preferred 
• 1-3 years of case management experience or closely related experience 
• Experience in a social service agency 
• 1 year experience training
• Experience working with a diverse population (i.e. diverse client population and community organizations)
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and insurance.

Special Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the job holder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Knowledge of database reporting platforms NetSuite, Linktofeed, and SCA preferred
• Ability to learn various technology platforms
• Ability to work irregular hours as needed 
• Ability to work with a diverse population
• Strong customer service skills and willingness to assist others
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Strong time-management skills
• Self-starter, self-motivated, dependable, and innovative
• Strong problem-solving abilities
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work cooperatively and coordinate well with other departments, personnel, volunteers, and clients
• Ability to speak to a large group of people and train them on specific tasks
• Ability to work on and adapt to multiple projects with attention to detail and accuracy while adhering to deadlines in a high-energy, fast-paced environment
• Attention to detail 
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision

 COMPLIANCE:

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with HFB policies.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the jobholder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

COMPETENCIES: 

Action-Oriented / Customer Focus /Drives for Results / Priority Setting / Managerial Courage Interpersonal Savvy / Creativity / Standing Alone / Time Management / Decision Quality / Self-development / Patience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required daily to analyze and interpret data, communicate, and remain in a standing or stationary position for a significant amount of the workday; and often access, input, and retrieve information from the computer and other office productivity devices. The employee must regularly move about the office and around the facility, use hands, wrists, and fingers to grip, type, and write. The employee must frequently lift 25 pounds. The employee will need to have the average ability to hear horns, warnings, and alerts associated with a warehouse. The employee must frequently travel to other sites for business.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While the job is generally performed in an enclosed office environment, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, strong food-related smells, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the office environment is typically quiet, but the employee will be occasionally exposed to loud noise levels (e.g., horns, fans).

TRAVEL REQUIRED: 

Travel is required for this position (up to 80% of the time and on a domestic basis within our 18-county service area). 

This role supports hours of operations at the Houston Food Bank facilities, as necessary, and may require flexibility (e.g., times of disaster, community events, company events).

*Is legally able to work in the United States.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and essential job functions needed for this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, working conditions, qualifications, and skills that may be needed. 

Houston Food Bank (HFB) is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities, and experience. We believe that it is an essential part of the Company's overall commitment to attract, hire and develop a strong, talented, and diverse workforce. 

HFB is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.