About Northern Illinois Food Bank:

Northern Illinois Food Bank provides nutritious food to all those in need through our own efforts and those of our nearly 800 partner agencies in the following 13 counties - Boone, DuPage, DeKalb, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Will and Winnebago. NIFB acquires, gathers, handles, and distributes approximately three million pounds of donated, government, and purchased food each month through local food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, youth activity centers and other food assistance sites. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary/Objective
The SNAP Outreach Worker’s primary responsibility is to provide SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps) application assistance to people visiting food pantries throughout the assigned region (Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, and Stephenson Counties). This also includes providing program information and eligibility pre-screening. Must be able to document all services provided in an electronic database and work with other members of the SNAP outreach team to problem-solve and develop best practices.

Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Assist with SNAP (food stamp) applications – work at various partner food pantries and community agencies to provide education, prescreening, and application assistance to low-income individuals/families about SNAP.
2. Provide program information and referral help – to individuals, families, and community networks based on a comprehensive understanding of food resources and other available benefits. Must learn ins and outs of the online benefits application process. Responsible for remaining up-to-date with changes in SNAP and sharing this knowledge with local partners.
3. Community partnerships – build relationships with partner food pantries, local government offices, and social service agencies.
4. Reporting and administration – record all activity in online database for funding purposes.
5. Collaborating, strategizing, and advocating – must be able to attend occasional team meetings, trainings, and conference calls as assigned. Assist with developing outreach materials.

Competencies

1. Commitment to alleviating poverty through food assistance; ability to promote the food bank’s mission, vision, and values
2. Organized, detail oriented, thorough
3. Independent, self-motivated, goal-oriented
4. Proficiency in Microsoft office (Outlook, Word, and Excel) and data entry
5. Outgoing, respectful, and discreet

Work Environment
This job operates primarily at network partner sites throughout the assigned region. Administrative work is completed at home with minimal time at the West Suburban (Geneva) and/or Northwest Centers (Loves Park). This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to drive. This is largely a sedentary role; however, some movement is required. This would require the ability to lift files and bend or stand as necessary.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a part-time position. This position is approximately 15-20 hours a week.

Travel

1. Must have reliable vehicle with valid driver’s license
2. Must be able to travel to Geneva for team meetings on a monthly basis and attend other meetings as assigned
3. Must reside in assigned region (Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, or Stephenson Counties)

Preferred Education and Experience
High school diploma and 2-3 years’ experience in nonprofit/social service or Bachelor’s degree in related field. Experience in sales, community organizing, public benefits a plus. Bilingual a plus.

EEO Statement
Northern Illinois Food Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employee (EEO).