Hunger Free America, Americorps VISTA (Market Team)

Description

Hunger Free America’s National AmeriCorps VISTA program builds the capacity of nonprofit organizations from coast to coast to reduce hunger and poverty and improve health by increasing the access of limited income Americans to nutritious foods – while developing a new generation of anti-hunger leaders.

The AmeriCorps VISTA at this partner site will serve for one year on projects that support the mission of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank through capacity building activities at our on-site pantry, the Market. The Market serves over 1,000 families weekly and operates like a small grocery store. The VISTA will assist in designing capacity-growing initiatives within the Market, and work to strengthen the cross-functional collaboration between teams serving neighbors across the Food Bank.

The person who is in this role should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment that requires consistent collaboration with colleagues and other program stakeholders.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities:

The VISTA serving in this position will have three major goals during their year of service:

1. Design and pilot 1-3 approaches to helping neighbors connect with resources beyond food.

• Meet bi-weekly with the Food Bank’s Community Connections team to discuss engagement strategies in the Market and with other relevant Programs teams
• Determine best strategies for informing neighbors about other services (housing information, healthcare, financial assistance, employment help, etc.) while they are visiting the Market or recieving other food assistance services.
• Identify new mechanisms for promoting services outside of food resources that the Food Bank wants neighbors to have
• Assist in scheduling additional service providers to come to the Market during shopping hours and engage with neighbors.

2. Identify and test 1-3 approaches to improving guest experience and efficiency in The Market to allow The Market to serve 5% more guests during shopping hours.

• Work closely with Onsite Pantry Supervisor to observe and identify pantry processes that could be improved to enhance neighbor and volunteer experience and efficiency in The Market.
• Inventory Management and minimizing wait time for neighbors are two of the potential projects

3. Improve the volunteer experience in The Market by developing a standardized training program and identifying opportunities to use volunteer time and effort more efficiently resulting in.

Qualifications:

• Display comfort and joy working with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions and perceptions.
• Self-motivated individual who likes to solve problems and address ambiguous situations.
• Must demonstrate integrity with confidential information.
• Excellent organizational, written, verbal, and telephone skills.
• Proven ability to successfully handle multiple projects, prioritize, and meet critical deadlines.
• Ability to work strategically, collaboratively, and effectively with staff across many departments.
• PA State Police Background clearance, PA Child Abuse History Clearance

Disclaimer:

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all responsibilities, duties, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.