Food Access Program Assistant - Northfield

Organization: Community Action Center (CAC) is a community-based, non-profit, human services organization that provides and advocates for the basic needs of people and families throughout Rice County. Its programs create a robust safety net for low-income families and include food access, housing, employment services, clothing, emergency assistance, youth services, transportation, health care assistance, and more. 

CAC provides drop-in resource centers where immediate response and support are available, and its thriving and abundant food shelves serve fresh, healthy, and culturally relevant food to thousands of households each year. CAC also administers multiple housing services spanning from emergency shelter to workforce housing, including ongoing support services with tenants. CAC’s Recovery Support program helps individuals who are currently using or in recovery from substance use. Partnerships with local employers allow CAC to connect individuals to job opportunities and enhance job skills, and CAC’s retail clothing store provides the entire community with access to affordable clothing.  

Mission & Values: CAC’s mission is to promote a healthy, caring, and just community for all people through resources, advocacy, and volunteer effort. To that end, CAC strives to be a trauma-responsive organization, providing services that embody the idea that people can adapt, heal, and even grow from traumatic experiences. Recognizing the effects that trauma has on individuals, families, and our society as a whole, CAC aims to reduce the impact of trauma on the lives that the organization touches by helping individuals to feel safe, connected and in control—over the course of many interpersonal interactions and in a variety of welcoming settings. Responding to the community in a trauma-responsive way is critical to the success of this position and to the mission of the CAC.

CAC’s resources and staff are integral parts of their communities and include partnerships with schools, businesses, faith communities, and other organizations. This extensive local network allows CAC to pursue community-engaged solutions, prioritize partnerships, and collaborate with thousands of volunteers. Currently, we are looking for a Food Access Program Assistant to help support the community-responsive work of CAC. 

Job Title: Food Access Program Assistant

Reports to: Food Access Program Director

Primary Location: Northfield

FLSA Status: Hourly, non-exempt

Compensation: $18-21/hr 

Hour Status: 20 hours

Job Summary: The Food Access Program Assistant is a dynamic public-facing role focused on general operational support of CAC’s food access work, community engagement, training and coordination of volunteers, and will collaborate closely with other members of the Food Access Team to ensure that our food shelves embody a culture of abundance, hope, support, and appreciation for those we serve.

Primary Job Responsibilities:  CAC’s success depends on the ability of its staff and volunteers to adjust and adapt as they dynamically meet the needs of the community. Job responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

Community Engagement: 

  • Support training and management of food shelf volunteers 

  • Support the home delivery program, food rescue, and mobile distributions, using the CAC cargo van as needed*

  • Build relationships with participants and work with CAC leadership to identify new areas of opportunity for outreach and engagement

  • Collaborate closely with the Food Access Team and other CAC staff to connect participants with other food resources and provide seamless referral to other support services*

Food Program Support: 

  • Assist in general food shelf operations, data collection, inventory, and maintenance*

  • Process incoming food rescue and other donated food for distribution*

  • Comply with federal regulations set forth by TEFAP, food recalls, safe food handling and civil rights training*

  • Follow all safety procedures and communicate appropriately*

General Responsibilities: 

  • Demonstrate commitment to the agency’s mission: “To promote a healthy, caring and just community for all people through resources, advocacy and volunteer effort.” 

  • Employ trauma-responsive, person-centered care practices to create a safe and healing space, build relationships, foster agency and invest in the long-term wellbeing of participants

  • Utilize crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills to support individuals and families in need

  • Follow all mandated reporting laws for vulnerable adults as well as child abuse and neglect

  • Attend and actively participate in regularly scheduled organization and team meetings and trainings

Work Environment and Physical Demands: 

  • This position is based in a blended warehouse/retail environment with some traditional office work. Exposure to computers, copiers, scanners and printers, scales, pallet jacks, heavy loads and minimal noise level

  • This is a physical role. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, climb stairs, bend, kneel, use hands to write, use computers and lift up to 40 lbs.

Qualifications:  CAC is committed to finding the right person for the position. Ideal candidates will possess many of the following qualities: 

Required qualities: 

  • Experience working within or alongside diverse populations 

  • Excellent interpersonal skills*

  • Organized, adaptable, and effective in a dynamic, fast-paced environment* 

  • Excellent ability to multi-task and troubleshoot issues 

  • Ability to work independently and as a member of a team 

  • Passion for equity and social justice 

Preferred qualities: 

  • Bilingual in English and Spanish

  • Experience in customer service, human services, and /or food access

  • Familiarity with Rice County organizations and resources

  • Previous experience working or volunteering in a food shelf setting 

  • Proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel)

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations: 

  • Must possess and maintain a valid Minnesota driver’s license 

  • Must possess Personal Auto Insurance 

  • Complete all required background and MVR checks

 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  *denotes and essential job function 

Compensation: This position is designed as a 20 hour/week, non-exempt position. Starting hourly wage will depend on experience and qualifications, with a starting range of $18-21/hour plus benefits (including a stipend for health care). CAC offers flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, and a chance to creatively build and implement innovative ideas. 

Equal Opportunity: CAC is an equal opportunity organization. CAC believes that the most efficient and effective workplaces include employees from diverse backgrounds. We strive to create a work environment where all employees and individuals, regardless of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, public assistance status or veteran status, can succeed and make an impact in the community. 

Application and Hiring Process: CAC will be interviewing on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to employment@communityactioncenter.org. Inquiries and questions can be sent to this same e-mail address or by contacting CAC’s HR Specialist, Jessica Sewish, at sewich.jessica@communityactioncenter.org or 507-664-3564. Only qualified candidates will be contacted.

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