Basic Needs Specialist

DEFINITION
Under supervision of the appropriate administrator, the incumbent assists to plan, organize, develop, and carry out basic needs program responsibilities, distribution of basic needs resources to students, oversee program-related special events, and support campus outreach activities, while valuing and promoting the mission and vision of the college.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Under minimal supervision, the incumbent performs technical and clerical duties with a considerable degree of independence and has a high frequency of contacts with students, staff, representatives of social service and educational agencies, and the public requiring tact and excellent oral communication skills. Incumbents in this position will support the distribution of student resources such as, but not limited to, food, clothing, school supplies, hygiene products. There will be regular interactions with clientele from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.

1. Processes student documents, interprets, analyzes and determines eligibility of award grants, and oversees a case load of Basic Needs participants to track progress. 
2. Works with student services, campus departments, and community programs to provide referrals and alternative solutions for students who are currently facing basic need insecurities, ensuring wrap-around services of program participants.
3. Assists in ordering, monitoring, and maintaining inventories of student resources within their assigned area.
4. Oversees the storage and organizing of resources including, but not limited to clothing donations, food deliveries and discards expired or spoiled food in a safe manner 
5. Tracks resources distributed to individuals, including but not limited to, food cards, food, clothing, funds, and hygiene items, via electronic records.
6. Assist in the development and implements plans to increase awareness of basic needs resources and ensures students understand how to access campus and community resources related to housing and food assistance programs.
7. Conducts Basic Needs outreach including but not limited to CalFresh enrollment workshops to various support programs and in classrooms.
8. Supports efforts to increase student participation in basic needs outreach and food security programs.
9. Assists students in completing applications for available community resources and conducts follow-up to ensure support is provided. 
10. Tracks student CalFresh applications and case progress in collaboration with county CalFresh partners.
11. Collaborates with campus partners to increase awareness of resources available to students on campus and in the community. 
12. Coordinates and assists with the preparation of events and participates in outreach events on campus such as workshops, meetings, and in the community.
13. Assists in the coordination and gathering of resource donations such as, but not limited to food, clothing, hygiene, and school supplies.
14. Organizes community partner deliveries of resources for students, may pick up deliveries from community partners as assigned.
15. Supports the recruitment, training, and scheduling of student employees; oversee student workers as assigned.
16. Assists in the development and preparation of correspondence, flyers, handbooks, reports, word documents and award notifications
17. Assists with data gathering for reports.
18. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Community resources and services
• Principles of case management and conducting referrals 
• Usage of applicable software systems
• Trauma informed principles to food insecurity and basic needs
• Principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Basic needs support to promote academic success
• Customer service standards and procedures
• Modern office practices, procedures, and equipment
• Record-keeping techniques
• Electronic data processing including input, update, and retrieval in assigned database systems
• Telephone and web registration procedures
• The importance of the mission and philosophy of community college
• Scheduling, coordination and allocation of resources
• Student management skills
• Written business communications including word/information processing applications and production
• Campus related resources, programs and services available to students.

Demonstrated Ability to:

• Perform technical duties in the maintenance of student academic records
• Actively listen and understand the needs of students; 
• Support research and analysis.
• Maintain relevant state Management Information Systems (MIS) reporting procedures and requirements.
• Maintain and create accurate files and records.
• Perform complex technical duties with computerized database systems.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Operate assigned office equipment.
• Work confidentially with discretion and in compliance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations.
• Organize workload and establish priorities with attention to detail and accuracy; 
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Meet schedules and timelines.

Working Conditions:

• Duties are performed in office environments, on school campuses and at local social service agency sites in the community.
• The incumbent will experience interruptions while performing normal duties during the regular workday.
• The incumbent will have contact, in person, by email, or by telephone with staff, students, community liaisons and the public.
• The incumbent will work on campus and will have some travel between campus sites. 
• Special Events, training, and meetings may require the incumbent to travel within the state of California and potentially out of state.

Physical Demands:

• Typically may stand or sit for extended periods of time
• Regularly lifts, carries, and/or moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds;
• Operates a computer and or technological devices;
• Travels throughout the county, region and state as needed;
• Participates in learning activities, special events and community-based projects.
• Bending at the waist, kneeling, or crouching. 

Special Qualification:
Evidence of a sensitivity to and an understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and to staff and students with disabilities.

Education and Experience:
Associate degree and 1 year experience with case management and 1 year of clerical experience, OR any equivalent combination of education, training and experience. bilingual in Spanish required. A bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Licenses and Certificates Required:

• Must possess a valid class C California Driver’s License at the time of hire.
• Obtaining California Food Handlers Card within 30 days of employment and renewal of the California Food Handlers Card every 3 years is required.

The desired start date is July 2026.  This is a full-time, classified, 12-month position. 

This position is contingent on continued funding. 

Work Schedule: Monday – Tuesday, 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM, Wednesday – Thursday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

To be considered for this position, the candidate must submit the following application materials by Sunday, June 21, 2026 by 11:59 PST:

• Cover letter
• A current and complete resume/CV of education and professional experience
• Incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the hiring committee

Allan Hancock College provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Allan Hancock College will not sponsor any visa applications. 

Salary : $57,276 - $73,104