Neighbor Engagement Specialist

MFB distributes food through a statewide network of community-based organizations from Maryland’s western mountains to its Eastern Shore. Last year, the Maryland Food Bank distributed enough food to provide the equivalent of more than 41 million meals, or about 114,000 meals every day. This healthy food supports children, seniors, veterans, and hard-working families.

MFB works to end hunger for more Marylanders by offering job training programs, access to supportive services and benefits, and by advocating to change to the laws, policies, and practices that create food insecurity for more than 1 in 3 Marylanders.

The Maryland Food Bank embraces a philosophy which recognizes and values diversity. Our goal is to attract, develop, retain, and promote a talented diverse workforce in a culture where all employees will contribute to their fullest potential.

About The Position

The Neighbor Engagement Specialist will be responsible for assisting eligible Marylanders across the Maryland Food Bank’s service area in applying for government assistance and connecting them with community resources. This includes providing information and assistance with SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) applications, as well as serving as a liaison to neighbors in need of support programs and government benefits such as energy assistance, temporary cash assistance (TCA), and senior/disabled medical assistance.

Primary Responsibilities

40% Community Outreach :

• Promote and educate individuals about SNAP resource supports and government benefit programs through community outreach events and partnerships with organizations throughout Maryland.
• Seek out eligible neighbors who want to apply for assistance.
• Be a resource for eligible neighbors who want to apply for assistance.
• Conduct outreach and/or assist with applications.

40% Assessment and Referrals:

• Set up phone appointments with neighbors from outreach events, phone calls, or emails to provide them with information or assist with applications.
• Conduct assessments to determine the best resources to help neighbors become food secure and track intervention efficacy.
• Discuss available community resources with neighbors and refer to outside organizations based on assessed need.
• Follow up with neighbors to determine that benefits have been received or take action to assist with issues.
• Record work in appropriate databases.

20% Team Support

• Maintain reporting required by grants and MFB, as assigned.
• Maintained team inventory by ensuring logs are up to date and ordering materials when needed.
• Manage volunteers and mentor community resource navigation program participants.
• Assist in monthly and quarterly reporting.
• Assist in creating SOPs, workflows, and documentation that help the team streamline their work.

Basic Qualifications

• Associate’s degree is required. A combination of education and work in the following areas will also be considered: social services, government programs, case management, and non-profit experience.
• Knowledge of computers and their operations is required, as is the ability to quickly and accurately enter and maintain the relevant information in our databases
• Minimum two years experience in case management or a related field of work is required
• Travel of 2-3 days per week is expected to successfully perform this role
• A valid driver’s license is required as well as an MVR showing no prior DUI/DWIs and fewer than 2 points against the license
• Occasionally required to work evenings and weekends

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills and ability to explain and convey information to diverse audiences
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, specifically Excel and Outlook – advanced Excel skills are a plus.
• Solid presentation and public speaking skills
• Ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English is required. Fluency in Spanish is highly desired but not required

Working Conditions

The employee will carry out job duties inside a professional office environment with little temperature fluctuation and low noise. Employees will also carry out job duties in the field at community outreach site locations across the state. For offsite duties, the employee is expected to travel by automobile and be exposed to changing weather and noise conditions. MFB has a hybrid work schedule (3 days in-office or fieldwork in the community, and 2 days work from home).

Pay range: $25.00/ Per hour (Overtime eligible)

Nothing matters more to the Maryland Food Bank than our strong ethical and safety commitments. As such, all positions require a background check and pre-employment drug test.

To learn more about our career opportunities, visit www.mdfoodbank.org/careers .