What are the responsibilities and job description for the Specialist, SNAP Outreach position at Golden Harvest Food Bank?
Job Title: Specialist, SNAP Outreach
Department: Community Impact
Reports to: Manager or Director, Hunger Relief Network
FLSA Status: Salary/Fulltime
About Us & Our Mission: The mission of Golden Harvest Food Bank is to transform lives by feeding our hungry neighbors today and building a healthy, hungerfree tomorrow. We exist simply because people in our community struggle with meeting a basic human need having enough to eat. Founded in 1982, Golden Harvest Food Bank works to create a safety net of partner agencies, programs, and direct services to meet the needs of our neighbors who struggle with hunger across our 25county service area. With a network of over 350 partner agencies and programs, we can get nutritious meals directly into the hands of those in need within their communities.
Our Values:
Faith: Our Christian faith motivates us to live out Jesus' teachings, feeding the hungry in our communities and uniting with people of every creed in a movement of compassion, service, and positive change.
Health: We prioritize the wellbeing of each person, aiming to offer safe, nourishing food to those we serve, recognizing that healthy lives depend on healthy food, environments, and communities, as part of our efforts to break the cycle of poverty and hunger.
Service: With kindness, openness, and joyful generosity, we address the unique needs of everyone without judgment, fostering a spirit of compassion and sensitivity. We listen to the story and needs of each person so that they know they are seen, heard and valued in a world where they may often feel invisible.
People: Respecting the inherent worth and dignity of every person, we approach all with justice, equity, and understanding, honoring the lives, ideas, and concerns of those we serve, valuing
donors' gifts, and cherishing volunteers while ensuring positive and impactful experiences in support of our cause.
Community: Collaborating with individual community members, partner agencies, businesses, and local government, we strive to change our community through openness, cooperation, and transparency, united by our shared mission of feeding the hungry.
Reasons to work at Golden Harvest
It's more than a job, it's a mission.
Faithbased organization
Competitive wages and benefits
Paid time off & flextime
Twenty paid holidays
Making an enormous difference
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Job Summary
The SNAP Outreach Specialist supports the implementation of the SNAP application assistance program within an assigned service area. This position focuses on assisting individuals and families from populations with low SNAP participation and high food insecurity. The Specialist works directly with clients and community partners to identify eligible individuals, conduct prescreenings, provide education on SNAP and other federal benefit programs, and assist with application submissions. The SNAP Outreach Specialist fosters and maintains collaborative relationships with hungerrelief network partners and community groups, enhancing awareness of SNAP benefits and connecting clients to available resources. This role works closely with the SNAP Outreach Coordinator and other members of the Community Impact Department to support broader outreach initiatives and program goals.
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Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Provide direct assistance to individuals and households by prescreening for SNAP eligibility and guiding them through the application process.
Offer clear, compassionate, and culturally appropriate information about SNAP benefits, rights, and usage.
Maintain accurate and confidential client records in compliance with organizational, state, and federal policies.
Deliver responsive and respectful customer service, ensuring neighbors feel supported, heard, and empowered.
Follow up with neighbors as needed to ensure a successful application submission.
Attend and conduct outreach at hungerrelief partner sites and other community locations to support onsite SNAP enrollment efforts.
Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with hunger relief partners to coordinate outreach efforts and maximize the impact on the neighbor.
Serve as a SNAP resource for partners by answering basic program questions, providing materials, and offering support for joint outreach activities.
Distribute, restock, and update outreach materials (flyers, brochures, posters) for partners to use with their neighbor populations.
Collaborate with the Marketing Department to develop and share SNAP educational materials that align with partner needs and reach diverse audiences.
Participate in community events, mobile food distributions, and local resource fairs to promote awareness of and access to SNAP services.
Support the SNAP Outreach Coordinator and Community Impact team in identifying highneed areas and populations for targeted outreach.
Stay informed about SNAP policy changes, best practices, and outreach techniques through regular training sessions and team meetings.
Track and report outreach metrics, including materials distributed, neighbors served, and applications assisted, to help assess community impact.
Represent Golden Harvest Food Bank professionally and positively in all community interactions, upholding our mission and values.
Perform other duties as assigned to strengthen SNAP access and support the Food Bank's mission to end hunger.
Supervisory Responsibilities
No supervisory responsibilities
May have interaction or provide directions to volunteers at a food distribution site.
Skills & Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual must demonstrate teamwork, commitment, effective written and verbal communication, and strong organizational skills. This position requires a positive and solutionbased attitude, consistently displaying a clear understanding of professional behavior and customer service.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below 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.
Basic understanding of public benefit programs such as SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, or TANF-or willingness to learn quickly.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to connect empathetically with neighbors and build trust.
Customer service mindset with the ability to provide clear and respectful assistance to individuals in challenging circumstances.
Comfortable speaking in front of small groups and engaging the public at events or partner sites.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, accuracy, and professionalism in handling neighbor data and documentation.
Organized and detailoriented, with the ability to manage time and outreach tasks independently and reliably.
Experienced with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, Forms) as well as case management or CRM software is a plus.
Must have the ability to travel frequently within the 24county service area (company vehicles are available).
Education and/or Experience
High school diploma or GED required, associate's degree in social work, public health, human services, sociology, or a related field preferred.
At least 1 year of experience in community outreach, social services, case management, or a related clientfacing role preferred.
Experience working with diverse populations, including individuals experiencing food insecurity, is a plus.
Bilingual (especially Spanish or other languages common in GHFB's service area) strongly preferred
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Must have a valid driver's license.
Must pass background screening and comply with organizational policies related to client data and confidentiality.
HIPAA or data privacy training, preferred.
CPR/First Aid Certification, preferred.
