Overview
West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH) is one of the largest and most successful emergency food providers in New York City. WSCAH’s mission is to alleviate hunger by ensuring all New Yorkers have access with dignity to a choice of healthy food and supportive services. Our Benefits Access Team helps families connect to benefits like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), health insurance, and other resources that help our customers on their pathway to stability and self-sufficiency.
Overview:
Reporting to the Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement, the Benefits Access and Outreach Specialist is responsible for helping to improve the lives of our customers by conducting outreach, education, and enrollment services for benefits and services that help our customers on their pathway to stability and self-sufficiency. The person in this role will conduct comprehensive benefits screenings and enrollment services to all WSCAH customers with an emphasis on SNAP enrollment, recertification, and education. The Benefits Access and Outreach Specialist will also conduct community outreach to promote the work of our Benefits Access Team and build up the referral pipeline of those in need of SNAP enrollment or recertification services.
Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, 8am – 4 pm; may include evening hours.
Location: 86th Street Office and Partner Food Distribution sites, 180th Street Warehouse (upon
opening), Hybrid work schedule negotiable
Compensation and Benefits: The annual salary range for this position is $42,000-47,000 based on experience and qualifications. WSCAH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 100% company-paid medical and dental insurance for employees and applicable dependents, company-sponsored life insurance, 403b retirement plan with 6% match after one year of employment, as well as paid holidays that include a winter break between Christmas and New Year's Day and vacation leave.
How to Apply: please follow the following link to apply for this position https://west-side-campaign-against-hunger.breezy.hr/p/c2479fb61237-benefits-access-specialist
Key areas of responsibility for the Benefits Access and Outreach Specialist will include:
● Conduct intakes and assessments for WSCAH customers seeking benefits assistance.
● Identify customer needs and determine benefit eligibility using customer assessment
information and tools.
● Assist customers in applying for federal, state and local benefits with a focus on SNAP
applications, recertifications, mediations, etc.
● Work closely with our partner sites to promote holistic services, conduct outreach, and provide
enrollment services.
● Promote the work of WSCAH’s Benefits Access Team, with an emphasis on SNAP related
services, to increase the number of customers seeking WSCAH’s assistance for SNAP benefits
across the city
● Collaborate with the Community Engagement Manager to promote important benefits to our
customer community via newsletter, presentations, etc.
● Refer customers to appropriate services, including SNAP benefits, health insurance, public
assistance, vocational programs, immigration services, education and other social services.
● Achieve all contract and organizational benefits and referral targets.
● Train customers on the skills and strategies necessary to be an effective advocate for themselves
and their communities.
● Maintain up-to-date knowledge of NYS public benefit information and customer resources.
● Attend public benefits training and outside partner resource events.
● Work with the Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement to maintain existing
partnerships and develop new partnerships that address customer needs.
Data:
● Record customer information accurately into the Salesforce database, including demographics, household composition, age, ethnicity, employment status, income, referrals and follow-up.
● Use Salesforce to complete customer intake and assessments.
● Effectively keep track of customer referrals and outcomes using Salesforce.
Team Member:
● Work as a contributing team member of the WSCAH organization and perform other duties as
assigned to further WSCAH’s mission.
Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies to
perform the essential functions of this position.
● Flexibility and Adaptability – Willing and able to change work tasks when needed; shifts
priorities based on work demands. Assesses and balances competing values (i.e., policies and
mission needs) and operates effectively in the face of uncertainty and change.
● Decision Making and Problem-Solving – Reaches sound conclusions and recommendations
based on the analysis of pertinent/available information. Takes calculated risks in uncertain or
ambiguous situations to make sound, innovative decisions and to address problems.
● Communication – Effectively conveys information both verbally and in writing. Listens
effectively. Promotes and models effective teamwork. Works well with people of all levels both
within and outside of WSCAH; welcomes differing ideas and points of view and encourages
participation at the highest levels.
● Professional Demeanor – Willing to align professional goals with the needs and priorities of the
organization and believes in the importance of doing so. Demonstrates commitment to the job
and organization as well as strong initiative and self-motivation to learn, develop, and
succeed. Willing to accept personal responsibility and be held accountable for outcomes.
Essential Skills, Abilities and Attributes
Bilingual; fluent command of English and Spanish.
● BS/BA and/or 2 years of benefits access and/or community engagement experience.
● Working knowledge of public benefits, in particular SNAP
● Familiarity with community outreach required. Background in sales is a plus.
● Experience with Salesforce Database is a plus.
● Detail-oriented and able to work independently.
● Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion
● Strong interpersonal skills; excellent communication and complex/creative problem-solving
skills.
● Passionate about WSCAH’s mission
This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the
position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.
WSCAH is committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. WSCAH is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Notice
Candidates for this position must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by the date of hire. All individuals hired for WSCAH positions that are on-site and/or require in-person interactions must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless otherwise prohibited by law. WSCAH complies with federal, state, and local laws with regard to accommodations related to this policy.