Food Access Program Assistant - Somali Speaking Preferred - Faribault

Food Access Program Assistant - Faribault

Somali Speaking Preferred

CAC provides drop-in resource centers where immediate response and support are available, and its thriving and abundant food shelves serve fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant food to thousands of households each year. CAC also administers multiple housing services spanning from emergency shelter to workforce housing, including ongoing support services with tenants. CAC’s Recovery Support program helps individuals who are currently using or in recovery from substance use. Partnerships with local employers allow CAC to connect individuals to job opportunities and enhance job skills, and CAC’s retail clothing store provides the entire community with access to affordable clothing.

Job Title: Food Access Program Assistant

Reports to: Food Access Program Director

Primary Location: Faribault

FLSA Status: Hourly, non-exempt

Compensation: $18-21/hr

Hour Status: 20 hours

Job Summary: The Food Access Program Assistant is a dynamic public-facing role focused on general operational support of CAC’s food access work, community engagement, training and coordination of volunteers, and will collaborate closely with other members of the Food Access Team to ensure that our food shelves embody a culture of abundance, hope, support, and appreciation for those we serve.

Primary Job Responsibilities: CAC’s success depends on the ability of its staff and volunteers to adjust and adapt as they dynamically meet the needs of the community. Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Community Engagement:

• Support training and management of food shelf volunteers

• Support the home delivery program, food rescue, and mobile distributions, using the CAC cargo van as needed
• Build relationships with participants and work with CAC leadership to identify new areas of opportunity for outreach and engagement
• Collaborate closely with the Food Access Team and other CAC staff to connect participants with other food resources and provide seamless referral to other support services

Food Program Support:

• Assist in general food shelf operations, data collection, inventory, and maintenance

• Process incoming food rescue and other donated food for distribution
• Comply with federal regulations set forth by TEFAP, food recalls, safe food handling and civil rights training
• Follow all safety procedures and communicate appropriately

General Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate commitment to the agency’s mission: “To promote a healthy, caring and just community for all people through resources, advocacy and volunteer effort.”
• Employ trauma-responsive, person-centered care practices to create a safe and healing space, build relationships, foster agency and invest in the long-term wellbeing of participants
• Utilize crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills to support individuals and families in need
• Follow all mandated reporting laws for vulnerable adults as well as child abuse and neglect
• Attend and actively participate in regularly scheduled organization and team meetings and trainings

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• This position is based in a blended warehouse/retail environment with some traditional office work. Exposure to computers, copiers, scanners and printers, scales, pallet jacks, heavy loads and minimal noise level

• This is a physical role. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, climb stairs, bend, kneel, use hands to write, use computers and lift up to 40 lbs.

Qualifications: CAC is committed to finding the right person for the position. Ideal candidates will possess many of the following qualities:

Required qualities:

• Experience working within or alongside diverse populations

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Organized, adaptable, and effective in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Excellent ability to multi-task and troubleshoot issues
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Passion for equity and social justice

Preferred qualities:

• Bilingual in English and Somali
• Experience in customer service, human services, and /or food access
• Familiarity with Rice County organizations and resources
• Previous experience working or volunteering in a food shelf setting
• Proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel)

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota driver’s license

• Must possess Personal Auto Insurance
• Complete all required background and MVR checks

Compensation: This position is designed as a 20 hour/week, non-exempt position. Starting hourly wage will depend on experience and qualifications, with a starting range of $18-21/hour plus benefits (including a stipend for health care). CAC offers flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, and a chance to creatively build and implement innovative ideas.

Equal Opportunity: CAC is an equal opportunity organization. CAC believes that the most efficient and effective workplaces include employees from diverse backgrounds. We strive to create a work environment where all employees and individuals, regardless of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, public assistance status or veteran status, can succeed and make an impact in the community.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Application and Hiring Process: CAC will be interviewing on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To apply, please submit a resume and contact information for three professional references to employment@communityactioncenter.org. Inquiries and questions can be sent to this same e-mail address or by contacting CAC’s Project Manager, Lisa Percy, at percy.lisa@communityactioncenter.org or 507-664-3506. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.