Program Coordinator – Workforce Development & More Than Food

Position Summary

The More Than Food program is part of Small Things’ unHungry Project, which intentionally moves beyond traditional emergency food distribution to offer support and long-term stability programming. Rather than only giving groceries, these programs use food access as a trusted entry point to address deeper needs like workforce readiness, housing stability, nutrition education, and other supports that help people move from crisis to economic security.

The Program Coordinator oversees the planning, coordination, and day-to-day implementation of Small Things’ Workforce Development and More than Food program. This includes forklift certification trainings, the 90-day accelerated workforce development program, and the More Than Food approach, which integrates food access, stabilization supports, and workforce pathways. The coordinator ensures smooth program operations, strong participant outcomes, effective partner engagement, and accurate reporting aligned with grant requirements, Small Things’ unHungry Plan, and the UnHungry Project’s goal of moving people from food access to long-term economic security.

The Program Coordinator ensures workforce programming is fully integrated with food access, stabilization, and pathway-building supports so participants can move from crisis to opportunity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

A. Workforce Development

Program Operations & Coordination

• Coordinate monthly forklift certification trainings, including scheduling, participant registration, materials, meals, and logistics
• Support implementation of the 90-day accelerated training program in coordination with the Program Manager, and the warehouse team
• Track participant progress from enrollment through training, certification, job placement, and follow-up
• Maintain program calendars, timelines, and deliverables to ensure goals are met

Participant Recruitment & Support

• Recruit participants through nonprofit food pantries, free grocery stores, and partner organizations serving low-to-moderate income (LMI) communities
• Serve as a primary point of contact for participants, providing orientation, reminders, and ongoing communication
• Ensure equitable access to the program and help participants navigate barriers such as transportation, documentation, or scheduling challenges

Partner & Employer Engagement

• Coordinate with referring organizations, including food pantries, re-entry programs, probation/parole, and youth workforce programs
• Support relationship-building with regional employers seeking certified forklift operators
• Assist the Program Consultant with employer outreach, job matching, and feedback collection

Data Tracking, Reporting & Evaluation

• Track required outputs and outcomes, including enrollment, certifications earned, job placements, and retention
• Maintain accurate records for grant reporting, internal evaluation, and continuous improvement
• Collect participant and employer feedback through surveys and interviews
• Support storytelling and impact reporting for funders and stakeholders

B. More than Food

Participant Stabilization & Pathway Support

• Use food access sites as on-ramps to workforce pathways, engaging participants where they already receive support
• Screen participants for stabilization needs, including food insecurity, housing instability, documentation, and nutrition.
• Support participants in developing individualized UnHungry Pathway Plans that align job training with stabilization and long-term goals

Referrals & Relationship Building (Social Work–Informed, Non-Clinical)

• Build relationships with partners, including workforce readiness, housing stability, nutrition education, and other supports that help people move from crisis to economic security
• Coordinate referrals to internal programs and trusted UnHungry Project partners for benefits access, re-entry support, housing resources, financial coaching, legal aid, childcare, behavioral health services, and other social supports
• Track referrals, follow-up actions, and participant outcomes to ensure continuity of care and accountability
• Advocate for participants by helping navigate systems, reduce barriers, and connect to appropriate resources
• Responsible for the resource coordination, including providers and tracking of referrals and pathways

Nutrition Program

• Take over the health snack program, and work closely with the Program Manager on the House of Hope nutrition program.

Data, Outcomes & Storytelling (UnHungry Project)

• Track wraparound support utilization alongside workforce outputs and outcomes
• Document how food access and stabilization supports contribute to training completion, job placement, and job retention
• Support UnHungry Project impact reporting for funders, partners, and community stakeholders

Compliance & Internal Coordination

• Ensure program activities align with grant requirements, timelines, and approved budgets
• Coordinate with finance and leadership on documentation, reporting deadlines, and audits
• Support internal communication across departments to ensure program integration with Small Things’ broader mission

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in workforce development, social services, nonprofit management, or a related field
• At least 2 years of experience coordinating programs or projects, preferably in a nonprofit or community-based setting
• Strong organizational, communication, and data-tracking skills
• Experience working with low-income communities and diverse populations

Preferred

• Experience with workforce development or job training programs
• Familiarity with grant-funded programs and reporting requirements
• Experience coordinating with employers or industry partners

Core Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Relationship-centered and culturally responsive approach
• Problem-solving mindset
• Commitment to equity, dignity, and community partnership

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear and communicate with guests. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently accesses all areas of the store including selling floor, stock area, and register area; the ability to climb ladders. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.