Benefits Specialist (Chenango / Otsego Counties)

POSITION TITLE: Benefits Specialist 

LOCATION: The Specialist will work from a host site in either Chenango or Otsego County, NY 

DESCRIPTION: 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.   

HFA is the recipient of a generous grant from Chobani aimed at reducing food insecurity in Chenango and Otsego counties, where one of its major operations facilities is located and where many of its employees live and work.  Part of this ambitious project entails utilizing Chobani staff volunteers to assist in nutrition benefits access work (SNAP, WIC, Summer Meals, Summer EBT), connecting as many eligible residents of the two counties as possible to such benefits.  The Specialist will play an instrumental role in training Chobani volunteers in this work and in accompanying them, as appropriate, in their community outreach.  In addition to the work with volunteers, the Specialist will also conduct their own benefits outreach, screening and application assistance activities, and will work out of a partner host site in the region.   

This is a full-time position, guaranteed until September 6th, 2025. Continued employment beyond that date is subject to HFA obtaining additional resources for this work. All work will be conducted in Chenango and Otsego Counties in New York State. The technology and equipment needed for the position will be provided.  

• The Benefits Specialist will primarily work out of a host partner’s office in either Chenango or Otsego County but will also conduct outreach and benefits access work (both on their own and with Chobani volunteers) from other community-based locations.  The Specialist may also work 1-2 days / week from home, as appropriate.  
• The Specialist will report to HFA’s Director of Benefits Access but will also coordinate some of their work activities with HFA’s Strategic Volunteerism team and staff of the partner host site.  
• The Specialist will conduct follow-up to ensure that applicants receive the correct amount of monthly benefits in a timely manner and help to resolve cases in which this has not occurred. All work must be entered into a database to track client progress. 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is preferred, although people with significant, relevant, work experience will be considered.  
• Experience in anti-hunger/nutrition benefits screening and application assistance (esp. for SNAP) 
• Comfort with and experience in serving low-income communities 
• Experience working alongside / managing volunteers preferred, but not required. 
• High-energy self-starter with strong communications, problem solving, organizing, and inter-personal skills, and a demonstrated commitment to fighting poverty and hunger.   
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office programs like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint  
• Knowledge of Salesforce is preferred, but not required.  
• As a considerable amount of travel will be required between home / partner office host site / various community outreach locations – having a reliable car and valid driver’s license is required.  

HFA is an equal-opportunity employer. People of diverse 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. If you're viewing this description through an external job site (Indeed, LinkedIn, etc), please use this link to apply: https://jobs.lever.co/hungerfreeamerica/ddaf0dc3-1d79-4375-9ee9-d4a9b3c13539