Individual Development Specialist

Individual Development Specialist I

The objective of Together We Grow is to empower targeted individuals to begin to change their lives from food insecure to food secure by setting and achieving personal and professional goals to improve household and employment stability. The Individual Development Specialist will support the case management services for individuals who participate in Together We Grow by identifying and addressing barriers to household and employment stability. The Individual Development Specialist will contribute to the Brazos Valley Food Bank's work of building a hunger-free Brazos Valley through minimizing barriers creatively, analyzing client needs, and collaborating to benefit clients.

Essential Functions

Key Result Area #1 – Direct Client Services (45% of time)

• Conduct follow-up phone calls from referral forms received through the Brazos Valley Food Bank's website, direct referrals from social service providers, or through individuals interested in the program applying for Together We Grow
• Schedule and conduct intake interviews for individuals interested in participating in Together We Grow
• Assess client readiness for program's services based on needs, ability, readiness, and willingness to participate in the program
• Maintain clear communication with program clients around Together We Grow expectations, policies, parameters of services provided by the program, including utilizing best practices when holding individual clients accountable
• Provide one-on-one case management services – proactively meet with clients to assess barriers to household and employment stability and develop mutually agreed-upon action-steps to address these barriers using Together We Grow's strengths-based case management processes
• Create case plans for clients with short and long-term personal and professional goals and the steps to achieve those goals
• Proactively follow-up with and regularly coach clients during the post-training phase to identify and address any ongoing barriers to accomplishing goals that support household and employment stability
• Maintain ongoing communication with employer partners following a student hire to collect structured feedback on performance, and coach clients on identified growth areas to support job retention and continued employment success.
• Maintain client confidentiality and ensure proper information releases are maintained and current on active clients
• Work closely with other community-based organizations to ensure individual and familial needs are addressed, met, and maintained through referral and advocacy services and providing warm transfers to clients who may need supportive services that fall outside of the scope of TWG's services
• Follow up with referrals to ensure that clients receive and access necessary services in a timely manner

Key Result Area #2 – Relationship Building (5% of time)

• Network with other agencies to learn of available resources that can support clients' goals of household and employment stability as assigned by the Program Manager
• Notes potential connections and opportunities in existing and new relationships that will promote Together We Grow outreach efforts in collaboration with the Program Manager
• Maintain and build relationships with social service providers to increase inter-agency collaboration to benefit clients in collaboration with the Program Manager
• With the Program Outreach and Training Specialist, assist with conducing presentations about the program's services to service providers

Key Result Area #3 – Project Planning (5% of time)

• Research and create a workplan for proposed implementation of a mentorship program to foster connections with program clients and create a community of support using a data-driven approach as approved by the Program Manager
• With the Program Manager, build and implement mentorship program using a data-driven approach
• With the Program Manager, develop evaluation plan and monitor outcomes for mentorship program to ensure goals and targets are being met

Key Result Area #4 – Evaluation and Analysis (10% of time)

• Administer program evaluations and assessments and track collected data used to ensure client-related objectives are met
• Prepare case-related reports including outcomes, successes, and challenges
• Complete monthly data tracking reports by the first Friday of the following month
• Complete all paper and electronic documentation of services provided in a timely manner
• Complete weekly staff-activity reports
• Monitor and report on measurable objectives specific to the Individual Development Specialist's role during bi-weekly meetings with the Program Manager

Key Result Area #5 – Written Communication and Document Development (25% of time)

• Maintain all client records – store files properly to ensure client confidentiality and track client goal progress and referral outcomes using designated software
• Document all client contacts, services provided, and case activity in designated software in a timely manner as an integral part of each direct service listed under Key Result Area #1.
• Ensure client records are free from error and interactions are documented professionally, thoroughly, and objectively
• Provide written information and data for grant proposals, potential funders, and social media when requested by the Program Manager
• With the Program Outreach and Training Specialist, assist with the creation of weekly social media posts that promote the program's services and educate the Brazos Valley Food Bank's social media following on the program's impact

Key Result Area #6 – Teamwork (10% of time)

• Assist the Program Outreach and Training Specialist, as needed, with carrying out the program's key messaging and outreach plan to recruit and enroll individuals living with food insecurity into the program, resulting in quarterly client enrollment targets
• Provide support to the program's training and development services by teaching designated content using the Together We Grow training curriculum as needed
• Consult with the Program Outreach and Training Specialist on available employment opportunities that align with clients' professional goals, and with the Program Outreach and Training Specialist, get students placed in employment with a program employer partner or through other opportunities available in the community
• Regularly collaborate with the Program Outreach and Training Specialist on areas such as issues affecting client retention, unmet needs of clients, client outcomes, and advocacy options and services to meet the needs of program clients
• Maintain positive relations with Community Garden and Together We Grow volunteers, interns, and community resource and referral organizations
• Attend quarterly staff meetings as scheduled by the Executive Director
• Attend Together We Grow team meetings as scheduled by the Program Manager
• Regular in-person attendance is required as an essential function for this position

Other

• Uphold and model the Brazos Valley Food Bank's mission and values
• Discuss all urgent client-related concerns with Program Manager
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

A. Education, Experience, and Training

• Bachelor's degree for a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), with major course work in Social Sciences, Sociology, Psychology, or a related field and/or relevant work experience in training, social work, case management, casework, or related field
• One-year case management experience or two years of direct service experience working with adults

B. Knowledge and Skills

• Regular in-person attendance is required as an essential function for this position
• Bilingual in Spanish, preferred
• Excellent written, oral, leadership, and interpersonal skills. In particular, the ability to understand and organize detailed information and to write about or talk extemporaneously on that information
• Proficiency in Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Knowledge of hunger and poverty issues
• Knowledge of community resources and ability to stay informed of services to use them effectively for clients
• Ability to work cooperatively under pressure with a diverse range of people and demonstrated ability to communicate tactfully with all members of society
• Ability to set priorities, identify goals, and plan effectively
• Good understanding of group dynamics, comfort and skill in a coaching environment, and ability to handle supervision professionally
• Ability to work in stressful situations and under program timelines
• Ability to be flexible with working hours to meet the needs of clients (includes evenings and weekends)
• Ability to work effectively with other Food Bank staff and volunteers
• Ability to be certified in First Aid and Food Handling
• Must be able to pass criminal background check
• Current driver's license and ability to use personal vehicle for