Food for Thought Specialist

Compensation:

$17.83 per hour, Up to 29 hours per week

Compensation Type:

Non-Exempt

Employment Type:

Temporary (Fixed Term)

Grade:

NE06

Position Summary

The Food for Thought Specialist plays a vital role in promoting student well-being and food security across campus. This position supports students by coordinating food access initiatives, connecting them with resources, and fostering partnerships to address basic needs. The Specialist leads outreach, plans events, and supports program operations to ensure that students have consistent access to nutritious food and essential supplies.

MAJOR DUTIES

Student Support & Resource Navigation:

• Meet individually with students to assess needs and connect them to SNAP, emergency food assistance, hot meal vouchers, and local community resources.
• Distribute emergency food boxes, meal vouchers, toiletries, and snack packs as needed, while maintaining accurate documentation in Excel and CRM systems.
• Assist with data tracking and reporting to support grant requirements and program improvement.

Campus Food Access Initiatives:

• Coordinate daily and weekly distribution of campus-wide snack baskets to 20 locations, including outlying centers.
• Organize and staff recurring events such as:
  • Grab & Go Meals
  • Free Produce Distributions
  • Holiday Food Boxes
  • Food Bag and Toiletry Events
• Collaborate on seasonal and monthly food events like SJC Cooks’ Food of the Month, highlighting in-season produce with recipe demos and samples.

Program Outreach & Education:

• Partner with community resources for monthly pop-up events to promote awareness and application support.
• Record and share cooking demo videos to promote healthy eating using pantry staples.
• Create flyers, recipe cards, and promotional materials; support branding efforts for programs and events.

Operational & Collaborative Support:

• Maintain and update the program website and calendar of events.
• Coordinate with departments, community partners, and volunteers to support food distribution and outreach efforts.
• Participate in cross-campus collaborations, statewide consortiums, and meetings to address student basic needs.
• Assist in developing policies, procedures, and monthly/quarterly reports for program effectiveness and compliance.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Knowledge of SJC Admission and Financial Aid processes. Ability to troubleshoot and anticipate for resolutions.
• Knowledge of basic coaching principles.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention principles.
• Knowledge of community resources and services.
• Knowledge of college policies and procedures.
• Skill in the operation of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skill in decision making and problem solving.
• Sill in interpersonal relations and in dealing with the public.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in working effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The Coordinator of Food for Thought assigns work in terms of general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks work while it is being performed and once completed for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature of propriety of the final results.

GUIDELINES

Guidelines include Federal, State, private foundation laws, rules, regulations, grant requirements, and college and program policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgement, and interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK

• The work consists of individual promotion of student well-being and food security. The unique needs of each client contribute to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to eliminate barriers for student success by providing and addressing basic needs with students/clients and building bundled assets. Success in this position results in the efficient and effective provision of those services.

CONTACTS

• Contacts are typically with co-workers, other college personnel, faculty, staff, students, and members of the general public.
• Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, to resolve problems, to provide services, or to motivate or influence persons.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, walking, bending or crouching. The employee occasionally lifts light objects.
• The work is typically performed in an office setting.

SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

None

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s degree or knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with completion of an associate’s degree.

• The candidate should also be able to demonstration their experience within San Juan College culture as well as working with SJC students and community resources.

EEO STATEMENT: San Juan College is dedicated to providing equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic, veteran's status, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws.