Client Services Associate (AVODAH, The Jewish Service Corps)

This role is through Avodah’s Jewish Service Corps. The Jewish Service Corps is an immersive service year program running September 2024 – August 2025 for emerging changemakers ages 21-26. Program participants spend a year serving full-time at a non-profit while living and learning in a justice-oriented Jewish community. Corps Members work full-time at placement organizations like Food & Friends while engaging in innovative programming and living in communal, pluralistic housing. In addition to a year of professional and personal growth, Corps Members receive a monthly living stipend, health insurance, a travel allowance, and free housing. Food & Friends is a partner of Avodah. If interested in this position, apply through the Avodah website at avodah.net/serve. Avodah is accepting applications on a rolling basis until all spots are filled so apply asap.

Organization Name: Food & Friends

Title of Corps Member role: Client Services Associate

Issue Areas:

Food Insecurity

Methods of Social Change:

Direct Service

Mission Statement:

To improve the lives and health of people with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses that limit their ability to provide nourishment for themselves.

Website:

www.foodandfriends.org

Specific responsibilities of the role:

The primary responsibility of the Corps Member will be to conduct home visits with our clients. This is the first step in building a relationship with a client, and the Corps member will have the opportunity to develop a rapport that will enhance our clients’ experience with Food & Friends. The Corps Member plays a critical role in forming a working partnership between the client and the rest of our staff. This relationship will continue through ongoing phone dialogue. Additionally, the Corps Member will serve as an agency representative providing useful information about Food & Friends’ Services.

Characteristics of the Position (Mostly teamwork or mostly independent work; more of a structured role or unstructured role; responsible more for initiating projects or implementing projects; amount of contact with the public; more of a changing pace or steady pace. Other information about the characteristics of the role):

The Corps Member will be a vital part of the Client Services Team, but will do the majority of their work independently. The role is structured as far as the responsibilities, but there is freedom in how tasks are accomplished. The role involves implementing and maintaining existing projects and there is flexibility in initiating special projects (members in past years have created peer support groups, caregiver newsletters, etc.). There is a lot of contact with the public as the member will be meeting with new clients in the community. The pace is fairly steady – four days a week the member will be out doing home visits and one day a week the member will remain in the office to complete administrative work and support other members of the Client Services Team.

COVID Plan

Food & Friends is an essential personnel organization. We have remained open to serve the needs of our clients who are part of the most vulnerable population related to COVID-19. During that time, we reduced the amount of volunteers during shifts and ensure that social distancing can take place. Staff and volunteers engaged in universal precautions in addition to practicing handwashing and sanitizing, mask-wearing and distancing. As of May 2023, with the end of the national COVID restrictions, we no long require that staff show proof of vaccinations and masks are optional. We are doing everything we can to keep each other safe, as well as the clients we serve. That is our top priority.

Characteristics needed for the role:

Organizational skills, interpersonal skills, basic computer knowledge, and the ability to work independently are required. Experience working with people with HIV/AIDS or cancer are desired but not required. A valid driver’s license is required. The Corps Member should be willing to travel to diverse neighborhoods in DC, MD and VA and be comfortable doing home visits with new clients.

Orientation and Training Provided:

Food & Friends has an established and structured staff orientation. As part of the orientation, the Corps Member will meet with each department to learn how all aspects of the organization function together. They will also review the Food & Friends Client Services Manual to learn about their duties and responsibilities as well as the duties and responsibilities of the other members of the Client Services Team. They will participate in any ongoing training offered to staff, including classes on communication and HIV/AIDS. Additionally, the Client Services Director will work with the member on any needed or desired skill development throughout the year. The member will shadow other members of the Client Services Team when first starting to conduct home visits until he/she feels comfortable going out on his/her own.

Accessibility Accommodations Available:

Ramps, elevators, language line

Other important considerations (e.g. unusually early or late service hours, lengthy daily commute, car needed, specific challenges to interacting with the population served, etc.):

No weekend or evening hours are required. Spanish language skills are desired, but not required. Food & Friends organizational vehicles are available for the member to use during home visits. The Corps Member will need a valid driver’s license and the ability to lift 25 pounds. The Corps Member will have to pass a pre-employment drug screening and background check.

Location/Neighborhoods Served:

Washington DC, suburban Maryland, Northern Virginia.