Anti-Hunger VISTA Members - Food Research and Action Center

Anti-Hunger and Opportunity Corps - VISTA members

Positions Available

The Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) has openings for anti-hunger VISTA members in its three state-based initiatives headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland;  Washington, DC; and Richmond, Virginia to help build capacity for the federal nutrition programs in those states.  These positions are one-year AmeriCorps/Vista placements with FRAC’s Maryland, DC and Virginia programs.

Organizational Background

FRAC is the leading national organization working to improve public policy to eradicate hunger and under-nutrition in the United States. FRAC engages in advocacy, research, analysis, policy development, training, technical assistance, and public education to improve public nutrition programs (e.g., SNAP/food stamps, school meals, summer and afterschool food, child care food, WIC) and anti-poverty programs and broaden their reach.

Maryland Hunger Solutions (MDHS), D.C. Hunger Solutions (DCHS), and Virginia Hunger Solutions (VHS) are FRAC initiatives with the mission to create local hunger-free communities and to improve the nutrition, health, economic security and well-being of low-income residents of these communities.  VHS is a joint project with the Virginia Poverty Law Center (VPL).

Responsibilities

The full-Year VISTA members will support FRAC’s work in DC, Maryland, and Virginia to build capacity to expand access to the federal Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP).  The members will help recruit and train volunteers to assist in SNAP outreach.  They will help identify and engage community partners, faith-based organizations, and local agencies to expand the number of organizations providing SNAP application assistance and will coordinate with partner organizations to develop innovative and targeted plans to reach special communities of interest (non-English speakers, seniors, rural populations and low-income workers).  They will also create and update SNAP toolkit resources and investigate ways to better inform recipients of the SNAP Employment and Training Program and will include information about that program in SNAP toolkit materials and trainings. Vista members may also work with farmers’ markets to improve and expand the use of EBT at the markets and to provide outreach to ensure that recipients are aware that growing numbers of markets accept SNAP benefits.

Skills and Qualifications

·         Bachelor’s degree; with preference for a degree in a field related to anti-hunger / social justice.

·         Good oral and written communications skills. Ability to present and speak in public on behalf of the organization.

·         Detail-oriented planning and implementation skills.

·         Willingness to work varied hours.

·         Good organizational skills.

·         Self-starter; ability to work independently.

·         Excellent interpersonal skills; team orientation.

·         Evidence of commitment to social justice; experience with SNAP/food stamp program a plus.

·         Experience with Microsoft Office Suite products with ability to use Excel for data collection.

·         Conversant in Spanish, a plus.

·         Ability to travel around the state for meetings and events. (For Maryland and Virginia positions must have own transportation; mileage will be reimbursed.)

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits are provided by the AmeriCorps program (see http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps)  FRAC reimburses the Vista member for reasonable commuting expenses to and from its offices, as well as any work-related travel expenses.

To Apply

Up to 4 total positions are available (1 each in DC and VA, and 2 in MD).  Please email cover letter and resume, along with 2 references no later than December 4^th to:

employment@frac.org Please include “Vista member” in subject line, along with the location(s) where you prefer to work (MD, DC, VA).

AND

Visit the AmeriCorps / VISTA website.  Select “Hunger” as your Interest, choose District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia as your Location.  From the resulting position list, select:

Anti-Hunger and Opportunity Corps - VISTA member

Create an account and complete the application no later than December 15th.

FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.  FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on sex, race, age, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability or ethnic or national origin.