Project Assistant, Social Services Job Training Program – Chicago, IL Region

Hunger Free America (HFA) is a national nonprofit organization working to enact the policies and programs needed to end domestic hunger and ensure that all Americans have sufficient access to nutritious food.

This position will support implementation of a 4-year Innovation Spark grant from the Albertsons Companies Foundation to provide assistance to 200 individuals in Maryland and Illinois who are unemployed, underemployed or employed in low-wage jobs to obtain living-wage employment in the social services field. The initiative will offer 16-week job training with comprehensive support and guidance, preparing participants for jobs in the social service sector, in which there exist significant vacancies nationwide. Program participants will be trained to engage in outreach and enrollment activities for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women Infants and Children Program (WIC) and other resources, thereby enhancing the grant’s impact and promoting sustainable solutions to hunger within their communities.

Position is part-time. Candidates must live in or within commuting distance to Chicago - or be willing to relocate without relocation assistance - and will spend most days working from a project office in or near the city, with the possibility of working from home on a limited basis.

This position will report to HFA’s Project Manager, Social Services Job Training Program – Chicago, IL region.

Duties may include:

• Work collaboratively with non-profit and government partners to deliver social service training programs that align with participants’ and project partners’ needs and which meet all applicable rules and regulations
• Provide support to the Project Manager
• Work collaboratively with local partners and Project Manager to help deliver training program curriculum
• Work collaboratively with local partners, Project Manager, and other HFA staff to promote program and recruit program participants
• Work collaboratively with Project Manager to conduct various hands-on workshops to help people with lived experience with food insecurity and poverty write resumes, search for jobs, and practice interview skills
• Work collaboratively with Project Manager and local partners to hold several job fairs to connect low-income people with social service employers
• Collect feedback from program participants to ensure a positive training experience and improve program delivery
• Ensure program participant and partner data is properly tracked and managed for both internal purposes and stakeholder engagement and reporting
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements and other funding agreements
• Provide in-person SNAP eligibility screenings and application assistance
• Any other duties as assigned by the Project Manager

Required Experience and Skills:

• Experience in anti-hunger/nutrition benefits screening (e.g. SNAP, WIC); working in low-income communities
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is preferred, although people with significant, relevant work experience will be considered
• Preference for candidates with three or more years of experience in workforce development, social services, and/or teaching
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills for a variety of audiences, including the ability to adjust communication as socially and culturally appropriate
• Proven ability to collaborate professionally and effectively with diverse stakeholders
• A high-energy self-starter with strong communications, problem-solving, organizing, and interpersonal skills, as well as a demonstrated commitment to fighting poverty and hunger
• Interest in social justice issues and addressing systemic issues of domestic food insecurity
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Salesforce knowledge a plus
• Bilingual candidates (Spanish or Polish preferred) a plus, but not required

The person in this position:

• Must be able to frequently remain in a stationary position
• Constantly operates a computer and may use other office machinery
• Frequently communicates with fellow staff, partner sites / organizations and clients, and must be able to exchange clear and accurate information in these interactions

$25.82 - $25.82 an hour

This is a part-time, exempt, 20-hour per week position. The position will end on 8/31/2028 unless program funding is extended.

This is an in-person position. The position pays $25.82/hour

Employees receive generous holiday and paid time off (PTO).

Hunger Free America is an equal opportunity employer. People of all races, sexual orientations, ages, faiths, economic and social backgrounds, genders, physical abilities, and national origins are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications without a resume and cover letter will not be considered. Submit resumes and cover letter to: https://jobs.lever.co/hungerfreeamerica/c8589ae0-7a44-4dcb-95f9-4a2fc5fe4178

Employees receive generous holiday and paid time off (PTO).

Bilingual candidates (Spanish or Polish preferred) a plus, but not required