SNAP Outreach Navigator

About the Organization

Hunger Free Colorado, a statewide nonprofit organization, connects people to food resources to meet existing needs and drives policy, systems and social change to end hunger. As the state's leading anti-hunger advocacy organization, Hunger Free Colorado is dedicated to achieving a future in which all Coloradans have equitable access to the nutritious food needed to thrive and reach their full potential.

The organization is committed to achieving racial, economic and food justice and seeks employees who share these values. In 2020, Hunger Free Colorado adopted a new vision for our staff experience: “Employees can exercise influence at all levels of the organization and are provided relevant and intentional opportunities to grow as professionals and people.”

About the Department

The Client Services Department is on the front line of this work, connecting people in need to available food resources. We do this work through two programs:

1. The SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps) Outreach program, which includes Mobile Outreach throughout the Denver metro area to support clients in-person and a statewide multilingual Food Resource Hotline,
2. The SNAP PEAS (Partners Engaging in Application Services) program. SNAP PEAS is a network of partner organizations across the state which we empower and support to provide SNAP outreach as part of their work.

This position will work within the SNAP Outreach program, with assignments in both Mobile Outreach and the Food Resource Hotline.

Job Summary

Hunger Free Colorado is seeking two mission-driven, motivated, and highly compassionate Mobile Outreach & Hotline Specialists to provide direct support to people in need by assisting them in navigating benefit systems and attaining resources and benefits they are eligible for. Support is provided through Hunger Free Colorado Mobile Outreach sites and through the Food Resource Hotline. Additionally, this role will ensure the accurate dissemination of information and application assistance, support expansion opportunities into new communities and build and maintain relationships within communities and related organizations who host Hunger Free Colorado outreach work. This role serves as an advocate for clients by combining empathy, listening skills, and expertise in food resource referrals that result in effective navigation of various systems and connection to resources.

Responsibilities

Mobile Outreach Direct Service – Work directly with clients at Hunger Free Colorado Mobile Outreach sites to:

• Maintain organized, safe, and respectful environment for clients.
• Share information with clients about the food resources available to them, such as WIC, food pantries, summer meals, etc.
• Screen for SNAP eligibility, provide application assistance, follow up to assist with benefits retention via redeterminations, change reports, etc.
• Provide clients with contact information for various other organizations that assist with needs beyond food resources. For instance: Immigration, housing, phone, and other forms of assistance.

Direct Hotline Service – Support the Food Resource Hotline by answering calls and reaching out to community partner referrals.

• Screen for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) eligibility and provide application assistance
• Disseminate information to clients about the food resources available to them
• Provide referrals to WIC, food pantries, summer meals and other resources
• Follow up with SNAP applicant to ensure timely submission of documents and assist them in retaining their benefits

Other Duties

• Track all record in a secure Salesforce database
• Maintain an organized, safe and respectful environment for clients
• Occasional evening and weekend work as well as professional development opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Bilingual (fluency in BOTH Spanish and English required)
• Passion for, and commitment to, the mission, vision, and values of Hunger Free Colorado.
• Ability to work a hybrid position, meaning a combination of both in-person and remote / online assignments. This position requires regular travel to partner organization sites around the Denver metro area, as well as occasional visits to the Hunger Free Colorado office for team gatherings.
• Ability to work independently, maintaining strong communication ties with site contacts, meeting their needs while aligning with Hunger Free Colorado policies and procedures.
• Ability to work occasional weekends and evenings.

Preferred Qualifications

Interest in, and ability to:

• Proactively engage with members of the public, providing high quality direct services in a face-to-face setting.
• Work independently and with minimal supervision within a community-based setting.
• Connect quickly with people from diverse backgrounds.

You Are Good At

The successful candidate will be energized by providing direct service in face-to-face community settings and via phone line support. They love to provide exceptional customer service and work with people, proactively engage with those they've never met, many of whom may initially be hesitant to speak with Hunger Free Colorado. They can work independently within communities with little to no oversight and are comfortable adjusting their approach to engagement as necessary. They have a strong interest in advocating for themselves and their clients.

Work Environment 

Organization-wide

• All positions are required to be Colorado-based. We operate in a hybrid fashion, both in-person and remotely through Microsoft office platforms. The number of weekly in-person days vary.
• We are a dynamic and diverse team representing varied racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds that engages in regular conversations about structural and historical inequities.

Position-specific

• This position requires reliable transportation for regular travel within Denver metro area and into surrounding counties in order to engage with partners in person.
• Ability to work occasional weekends and evenings

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation for this position ranges from $25.33 - $27.33 per hour, depending on qualifications and possible differentials. This equates to approximately $52,679.39 - $53,994.77 per year, depending on number of hours worked.

Hunger Free Colorado offers an exceptional benefits package including vision, basic life, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance provided at no charge to employees. Also included are health, dental, critical illness, accident, and voluntary life insurance coverage with a generous subsidy for health insurance premiums. We also offer a retirement plan, paid vacation, sick leave, and a minimum of 11 paid holidays off per year.

For staff who have worked at least 6 months full time, professional development benefits are available. Hunger Free Colorado participates in the Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Program, which provides partial income payments and job protection for eligible employees who are temporarily unable to work due to their or a family member's qualifying medical or legal reason. Detailed benefits documents are available to interested candidates upon request.

Hunger Free Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and equitable work environment and we strongly encourage you to apply if you are part of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) and/or LGBTQIA community, are differently abled, a veteran, or are of diverse nationality or religion.

Hunger Free Colorado expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

Hunger Free Colorado will not discriminate or retaliate against applicants who inquire about, disclose, or discuss their compensation or that of other applicants.