Anti-Hunger Program Associate

D.C. HUNGER SOLUTIONS – Anti-Hunger Program Associate

Position Available

D.C. Hunger Solutions, the District of Columbia-focused initiative of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), seeks a highly motivated and skilled individual to join its staff as an Anti-Hunger Program Associate. Through advocacy, research, coalition-building, outreach, technical assistance, public education and program monitoring, the Anti-Hunger Program Associate will be responsible for working to increase participation and benefits in the SNAP/Food Stamp Program and additional federal nutrition programs in the District of Columbia. As part of the D.C. Hunger Solutions' team, the Associate will also work to advance the overall goals of D.C. Hunger Solutions, to support the efforts of partner coalitions, and to address broader community food security issues in Washington, D.C. The ideal candidate must be committed to addressing hunger and poverty in Washington, D.C. This full-time position reports to the Director of D.C. Hunger Solutions.

Organizational Background

As the hub of anti-hunger advocacy, outreach, research, and public education work in the District of Columbia, D.C. Hunger Solutions plays a key leadership role in improving public anti-hunger programs and developing and promoting stronger solutions from the anti-hunger and anti-poverty groups and coalitions throughout the city. D.C. Hunger Solutions carries out its mission to reduce hunger and poverty and improve nutrition by: maximizing participation in the federal nutrition programs (SNAP/food stamps; WIC; school meals; and summer, afterschool, and child care meals); improving public policies to end hunger, reduce poverty, improve nutrition, and curb obesity; and increasing access to healthy, affordable food in low-income District neighborhoods.

D.C. Hunger Solutions works to alert the public and policymakers about the extent of hunger and its adverse effects on health, learning, productivity and well-being; to forge and implement workable solutions; and to engage a network of partners to make the federal nutrition programs accessible to all those who are in need.

D.C. Hunger Solutions is a separately staffed and funded initiative of the Food Research and Action Center, a national anti-hunger organization. (www.frac.org)

Responsibilities

• Take ongoing responsibility for the development and implementation of strategies to increase participation in the SNAP/Food Stamp Program in the District. This will include site visits, outreach, presentations, research, technical assistance, public education, policy advocacy, assistance to partner groups, work with the media, and the development of materials.
• Analyze policies and practices that foster or inhibit program participation in the SNAP/Food Stamp Program.
• Collect and report data on SNAP/food stamp participation rates and outreach efforts.
• Coordinate SNAP/food stamp outreach, in partnership with the D.C. EITC Campaign during tax season. This includes training and assisting volunteers, pre-screening potentially eligible clients, and coordinating the filing of SNAP/food stamp applications with the D.C. Department of Human Services.
• Work, as part of the D.C. Hunger Solutions' team, to engage the public and policymakers about the issue of hunger in the District of Columbia and to identify solutions to hunger in D.C.
• Assist in efforts to expand participation and improve benefits in other public nutrition assistance programs.

Skills and Qualifications

• Commitment to working for social justice; background in anti-poverty work preferred.
• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of one year relevant experience.
• Strong oral, written and organizational skills.
• Ability to reach out effectively to low-income families and community-based organizations eligible for program benefits.
• Good conceptual, strategic thinking and creative skills.
• Detail-oriented planning and implementation skills.
• Willingness to work varied hours.
• Ability to manage several tasks simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong teamwork capabilities.
• Ability to speak Spanish a plus.