Care and Advocacy Specialist (Temporary Part-Time)

Care And Advocacy Specialist

The overall purpose of this position is to support the operations and outreach efforts of Student Care and Advocacy, with a primary focus on the Pellissippi Pantry. This role assists with inventory management, food distribution, volunteer coordination, and campus engagement initiatives aimed at addressing food insecurity. In addition, the position provides non-clinical case management support by helping assess student needs and connecting them to campus and community resources. The specialist contributes to data tracking, reporting, and relationship-building efforts that strengthen pantry operations and expand awareness of basic needs services across the community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide support for the day-to-day operations of the Pellissippi Pantry
• Help coordinate the receiving and distribution process across all five campuses
• Assist with the campus community communication plan for the Pantry (e.g., marketing of the Pantry to the campus community via emails, signage, and social media.)
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date Pantry inventory at all existing walk-in locations
• Assist shoppers with visits and tracking their orders
• Help oversee the system for receiving, weighing, and tracking donations
• Pack order, stock shelves, and rotate food items as needed
• Assist with recruiting and training student employees working in the Pellissippi Pantry
• Coordinate opportunities for both campus and community volunteers to work in the Pantry
• Identify, establish, build, and maintain relationships with individuals and organizations on campus and in the community who support the Pellissippi Pantry through donations
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of PantrySoft by engaging with the platform's help center and attending training on new updates and features
• Help with the collection and reporting of data related to the Pellissippi Pantry for institutional reporting, grant deliverables, and future funding opportunities
• Obtain and maintain a food handler certification through an approved provider
• Assist with coordinating the annual food drive
• Work collaboratively with the Hardin Valley Garden staff to ensure that fresh produce is made available and included in the Pantry
• Develop and implement outreach events aimed at increasing awareness of food insecurity among college students and the Pellissippi Pantry (e.g., tabling, classroom presentations, and educational activities)
• Provide non-clinical case management to a caseload of students as part of a framework designed to assess, advocate and link students to internal and external resources
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Public Health, Nutrition, Nonprofit Management, Community Development, Psychology, or related field
• Proficient in computer skills including Microsoft Suite
• Ability to use a basic calculator, food scale and refrigerator thermometer
• Strong Interpersonal skills: including: communication skills, time management skills and ability to prioritize
• Be able to obtain & maintain a food handler certification
• Be able to obtain and maintain a valid TN drivers' license & good driving record

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to assess student needs and connect individuals to appropriate resources
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport
• Ability to manage multiple cases and maintain accurate documentation
• Understanding of issues impacting college students (e.g., food insecurity, housing instability)
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations
• Basic knowledge of community resources and support services
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment
• Proficiency with basic computer systems and data entry