Program Application Specialist

Missoula Food Bank & Community Center’s (MFB&CC) mission is to lead the movement to end hunger through advocacy, volunteerism, and healthy food for all. We nourish community.  

We are a private, non-profit organization with a 43-year history of filling the hunger gap in Missoula County. In 2025, we served 1 in 5 people countywide.  MFB&CC pursues our mission through direct nutrition programs and through advocacy efforts that impact the upstream causal issues of food insecurity. We have been carrying out this model of service since 1982 and take tremendous pride in the diverse network of support that keeps our community nourished, our food service programs effective, and our organization healthy.   

Missoula Food Bank & Community Center is an anti-racist, LGBTQ2S ally organization. We strongly encourage applications from Black and Indigenous people and other people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women, LGBTQ people, and other people of historically excluded identities. Data shows that women and BIPOC candidates more frequently do not apply to a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed. Our job descriptions are general overviews, not a mandatory comprehensive list. We are committed to nurturing diverse leadership within a diverse network, so if you feel passionate about our efforts and believe that you have the skills to accomplish the job, we want to hear from you! 

Position Type: Non-exempt 

Salary: $21.00 an hour. MFB&CC utilizes a compensation plan that ensures equitable, competitive, and transparent compensation. We begin with the base wage above and then factor in your experience, skills, and education to calculate your final wage. 

Hours: The hours for this position will generally be The hours for this position will be Monday from 11am-7pm and Tuesday-Friday from 8am-4pm. Flexibility for occasional evening and weekend hours will be required. Generally there are 2 weekend events, and 3-5 evening events per year, with optional opportunities to fill in for special events. 

Benefits: Paid holiday, medical, and vacation leave. HSA contributions. Dental, life, and health insurance after 2 months. Retirement benefits after 6 months. Access to Employee Assistance Program. Volunteer vision benefits.   

Position Overview  

This is a full-time (40/wk), position reporting to the organization’s Community Engagement Manager. The Program Application Specialist will lead our efforts to help people in our community submit applications for federal and state safety-net programs (SNAP/Medicaid/TANF/LIHEAP/voter registration). This person also supports Community Engagement Team initiatives including EmPower Place direct service support (on-site children’s center located at MFB&CC) and advocacy efforts.  

This position has a lot of direct service, and the ideal candidate enjoys interacting and helping community members navigate complicated application systems.  

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• High School diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) 

REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE: 

• Work collaboratively within a team environment and have a willingness to assist other co-workers and volunteers. 
• Strong oral and written communication skills to communicate effectively and professionally with a wide range of people including other staff, volunteers, clients, vendors, donors, social service agencies, businesses and the general public. 
• Ability to grow and maintain positive working relationships with a diverse group volunteers, coworkers and community members.  
• Demonstrated organizational skills and detail oriented to support the balance of a wide range of tasks and responsibilities including multi-tasking, prioritizing, and delegating tasks when necessary. 
• Be self-motivated, self-directed, and take initiative in performing a wide variety of tasks in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment. 
• Be open-minded and flexible with regard to the work performed. 
• Exercise safe workplace policies and procedures and effectively communicate adherence of policies to volunteers and other staff.  
• Participate in ongoing equity and inclusion work. 

SPECIAL JOB SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: 

• Proficiency in the operation of common computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Will use other software like Salesforce and Johnnie but can be trained in this.  
• Possess excellent time management skills with demonstrated organizational skills and detail-oriented work. 
• Stand and/or walk for long periods of time; bend, twist, kneel and stoop; pull, push or carry heavy objects, including the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, with reasonable accommodation. 
• Ability to maintain compliance with federal programming 
• Work within a range of temperature-controlled environments including but not limited to handling cold or frozen items and retrieving items from walk-in coolers and freezers. 
• Obtain ServSafe and CPR/AED certification within 90 days of being hired and adhere to safe food handling practices. 
• Possess and maintain a valid Montana state driver’s license and have a clean driving record. 
• Ability to drive all Missoula Food Bank & Community Center vehicles safely. 
• Willingness and ability to learn to operate pallet jack safely. 
• Criminal background checks are required.  Felony offenses of sexual or violent nature will disqualify an applicant from employment for this specific position. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead application assistance efforts for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other safety-net resources like Medicaid, TANF, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Federal Free/Reduced Lunch program. 
• Hold and coordinate regular walk-in hours for application assistance weekly. 
• Help complete applications in a timely manner with thoughtful communication, accuracy, and attention to detail.  
• Drop off completed applications at various locations (OPA, Human Resource Council, Elections Office).  
• Ensure consistently high standards of patience, kindness and confidentiality while assisting applicants. 
• Maintain detailed records of the progress of applications and coordinate follow-up outreach efforts with staff and volunteers.  
• Attend training and team meetings to learn about program updates and report on progress. 
• Build and maintain relationships with SNAP recipients, partner organizations, and the Office of Public Assistance. 
• Utilize Johnnie, our messaging and calling software for SNAP applicants, for client communication as well as teaching staff and volunteers how to use the software.  
• Facilitate off-site SNAP application assistance at different events for families, unhoused individuals, seniors and other populations at particular risk of hunger.   
• Provide monthly reporting on the output of the application assistance program. 
• Represent MFB&CC at resource fairs, tabling events, and other outreach opportunities. 
• Prepare and complete various surveys throughout the year to learn more about our customers and their needs.   
• Work in our Store one evening a week. 
• Provide support in our EmPower Place for 6-10 hours a week. Build relationships with children and their caregivers. Help support programming in EmPower Place.   
• Oversee the MFB&CC volunteers who help with application assistance by coordinating, scheduling, and training these individuals. 
• Support our organization’s advocacy efforts by staying up-to-date on any changes to safety-net programs and informing our organization on shifts. 
• Help support a wide variety of Community Engagement Team tasks (cleaning of shared spaces, program brainstorming, special events). 
• Other duties as assigned.