Assistant Food Navigator – LISC/AmeriCorp

United Way of Greater Toledo and Local Initiatives Support Corporation are seeking a full-time AmeriCorps member to serve as a Assistant Food Navigator. We are recruiting a full-time AmeriCorps member to be a part of our team for 10 months.  The position will remain open until filled. The exact start and end date of the contract position is confirmed by the Member Agreement of Participation that will require signature prior to the start of service. This is an AmeriCorps position and the individual selected to serve is not considered to be an employee of United Way of Greater Toledo or LISC.

WHAT WE DO

United Way of Greater Toledo is a leading nonprofit organization in Northwest Ohio. We work with community volunteers, health and human-service providers and donors throughout Lucas, Wood and Ottawa counties who are committed to changing lives; together we solve issues no single donor, charity or government agency can address alone. Annually, we engage nearly 20,000 donors and interact with over 400 area companies and industries. Funds collected by United Way are invested back into the community to strengthen the areas of education, financial stability, housing, and health – the building blocks for a great life.

With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Over the last 40 years, LISC and its affiliates have invested approximately $24 billion in businesses, affordable housing, health, educational mobility, community and recreational facilities, public safety, employment and other projects that help to revitalize and stabilize underinvested communities. Headquartered in New York City, LISC’s reach spans the country from the East Coast to the West Coast in 36 urban markets from Buffalo to San Francisco and 2,400 Rural counties. Visit us at  www.lisc.org to learn more.

YOUR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN AMERICORPS MEMBER

This is an AmeriCorps position and as such, the member may not engage in prohibited activities as part of

his/her/their service.  The member will have an immediate supervisor at United Way of Greater Toledo and a LISC point of contact throughout the term of service for coaching, mentoring, and training support in order to undertake activities to achieve a community goal.

The member is expected to undertake the following activities toward goal achievement:

  • Compile pre-existing community data surrounding food insecurity and food access, identify areas of opportunity as well as areas with gaps in access
  • Identify gaps in food pantry coordination across the community. Utilize the 2-1-1 database to proactively outreach to pantries and better understand alignment with hours of operation, access, and best practices
  • Act as a convener of food assistance partners to present trends / data on opportunities for streamlining of services and increasing access to food across the community (quarterly meetings)
  • Ensure food partners are trained on 2-1-1 and regularly update their services
  • Cultivate a deeper partnership with Lucas County Job & Family Services to ensure individuals are able to access SNAP benefits and additional eligible services
  • Assess the landscape of available food resources to propose a process for food navigation by household (food resources available for children, food resources available for seniors, emergency meals, grocery store access, SNAP benefits, etc.) and provide a comprehensive plan for ensuring all members of the household have access to nutritious food

In performing these activities, United Way of Greater Toledo and LISC AmeriCorps anticipate that the person in this position will achieve the following goal(s):

    Significantly contribute to a community needs assessment or implement community solutions making the host organization more effective and or efficient in serving residents

In order to meet the goal(s), the successful candidate will be provided with a work-plan at the onset of service and training needed to achieve the goal(s). Progress toward goal attainment will be measured monthly through an on-line system and training will be provided.

SKILLS NEEDED

       Desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people, particularly those living in low-income distressed neighborhoods

       Ability to work independently and in a team environment

       Computer skills

       Good written and oral communication skills

       Ability to work a flexible schedule (some night and weekends may be required)

       Ability to bring community partners together to problem-solve

       Passionate about serving the community and creating positive change

    Capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously, while balancing arising responsibilities with pre- existing deadlines

    Represents United Way of Greater Toledo in an authentic and professional manner at external events/meetings

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible to participate as a LISC AmeriCorps member the candidate: (1) must not have previously resigned from a LISC AmeriCorps position; (2) be able to earn at least 74% of the education award for this position; and (3) if having previously served, been exited with satisfactory service from a prior term.

The candidate will also need to meet all AmeriCorps eligibility requirements including but not limited to:

       Be at least 17 years of age (there is no upper age limit)

    Possess unexpired proof of status as a US citizen or possess unexpired permanent resident status and be able to provide documentation as determined by AmeriCorps during the pre-enrollment period

       Meet the National Service Criminal History Check Requirement noted below

NATIONAL SERVICE CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECK REQUIREMENT

If a candidate has a criminal record, it does not necessarily make him/her/them ineligible for service. LISC does not disclose any results with the host site and will discuss any eligibility concerns that may arise directly with the candidate as per LISC’s policy.

Candidates being offered and accepting this AmeriCorps position must consent to a search of the National Sex Offender Public Website, State Level Criminal History Search, and an FBI search. LISC should receive the results from all checks  at least one week prior to the first day of proposed service. The person must be cleared for service by LISC prior to the first day of service.

A candidate may not be considered eligible for service in instances where he/she/they: (1) are subject to registry on the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW); and/or (2) has been convicted of murder; and/or (3) has a non-resolved/non-adjudicated criminal offense.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

Upon successful completion of the full term of service, the member will be eligible for a $6,345 education award to pay off existing, eligible student loans or return to school. Members are eligible to place qualifying, existing student loans (not in default) into AmeriCorps forbearance. The position pays a total stipend of $20,000. The stipend is taxable and paid in 20 equal checks twice a month from LISC. Direct deposit is required. A health care benefit is available for the participant only. For members with children under the age of 13, there is a child care subsidy benefit available which is dependent on the participant meeting all eligibility requirements (This benefit is administered by a contracted provider via the AmeriCorps Agency).

Additional benefits for alums can be found here:   https://www.nationalservice.gov/special-

initiatives/employers-national-service/alumni and information on Public Service Loan Forgiveness can be found here:  https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

HOW TO APPLY:

Candidates should send a resume via email to Jill Bunge at jil[email protected]. The subject line should read AmeriCorps Application.

LISC AmeriCorps and United Way of Greater Toledo are committed to diversity and inclusion in the selection process.

LISC AmeriCorps is available to everyone eligible to serve.  We treat all persons without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.