JOB: Leah's Pantry is hiring a Community Food Security Project Coordinator
Leah Quinn
Leah’s Pantry is a non-profit whose mission is to improve the health, wellness, and resilience of our communities through trauma-informed nutrition security. Leah’s Pantry:
Cultivates nourished communities through direct work with low-income individuals. We provide trauma-informed experiences (both in person and online) that build resilience and healthy dietary behaviors. This work is centered in California.
Catalyzes organizational transformation by providing innovative training, technical assistance, and consulting that builds partner capability to implement trauma-informed nutrition initiatives. We have 300+ partners across the US. We work with public health departments, food banks and pantries, afterschool programs, medical clinics, senior centers, health clinics, and housing providers.
Informs policy at all levels by promoting trauma-informed nutrition security at the county, state, and national level via working groups, collaboratives, and conference presentations.
Role and Responsibilities
Leah’s Pantry is hiring a part-time Food Navigator to support food security at affordable housing and congregate meal sites. This position will be directly responsible for sites in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Francisco counties, but will support other navigators working in the East Bay, North Bay, and Southern California. This position will connect and empower residents through warm referrals to relevant social service agencies and by hosting on-site food security initiatives.
Duties will include (but are not limited to):
Food Navigator—Housing (8 sites)
Understand food security needs of housing residents living in affordable housing communities
Create relationships with residents to encourage program participation
Assist with community resource referrals such as food distributions, congregate meals, and benefits
Plan and host on-site food distributions including transportation of food, bag packing, volunteer recruitment/management, and distribution
Plan and host community resource events, social service outreach, and enrollment assistance on-site and virtually
Maintain the Food Navigator event calendar and keep residents informed about upcoming activities and events
Collect and enter program and participation data
Virtually support launch of Food Navigator in three other regions of CA
Contribute ideas for improving the program
Food Navigator—Congregate Meal Sites (5-7 sites)
Support congregate meal site staff in implementing the Wiser Dining program, a client centered, wellness-promoting program for Seniors participating in congregate meal sites
Conduct needs assessments, develop work plans, and provide technical assistance to participating congregate meal sites in San Francisco
Develop resources and support with trainings for meal site staff and volunteers
Schedule regular phone check-ins with sites
Contribute ideas for improving the program
Qualifications
High level understanding of social service networks, especially as related to food security
Proven skills in community organizing and relationship building
Some training or experience with trauma-informed care
Attention to detail, able to multitask
Excellent people skills
Able to communicate complex information clearly
College degree or relevant work experience in the field of case management, benefit enrollment, food security, public health or community organizing
Interest in nutrition and/or public health
Able to work between 8am–5pm PST
Bilingual candidates (especially Spanish, Russian, Cantonese, or Mandarin) and those with relevant lived experience preferred
Able to lift up to 50 lbs, walk around, and stand for long periods of time
Reliable car for travel (mileage is reimbursed at IRS rates)
In addition, the person who will be successful in this role can likely describe themself in several of these ways:
I like to go with the flow and can react with immediacy to whatever comes my way.
I am good at identifying what’s wrong and working to resolve it.
I’m comfortable with lots of moving parts; I love initiating and managing necessary change.
I enjoy making things happen and creating momentum by turning thoughts into action.
I enjoy figuring out how people who are different can work together, to help them get what they need and improve their well-being.
I find satisfaction in breaking the ice and making a connection with someone.
Application Notes
Job Type: Full time, 32-40 hours/week
Salary: $25/hr with benefits
Location: Travel required to sites in San Mateo/Santa Clara, CA
Schedule: M-F, between 8am–5pm PST (occasionally may need to work weekends)
Note: Funding is assured through the end of 2021. Additional funding for subsequent years may be secured but is not guaranteed.