What are the responsibilities and job description for the Food Access Network Tribal Specialist position at NW Harvest?
Position Title: FAN (Food Access Network) Tribal Specialist Type: Full Time
Location: Can be located in Puget Sound, Yakima or Spokane, WA Hourly Rate: $25.00 - $28.00
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Northwest Harvest is Washington’s leading hunger relief agency – supporting a statewide network of 375 food banks, meal programs, and high-need schools. Focused on improving equity in our food system, Northwest Harvest believes everyone in Washington should have consistent access to nutritious food that feeds the body, mind, and spirit. In addition to making sure those who suffer from hunger are being fed, Northwest Harvest aims to shift public opinion, as well as impact institutional policies and societal practices that perpetuate hunger, poverty, and disparities in our state. Learn more at http://www.northwestharvest.org
POSITION SUMMARY:
This role engages in cutting hunger rates in half by 2028 by supporting a diversity of feeding programs across Washington State. The Tribal Specialist will be responsible for learning all aspects of our food distribution services to provide information in a culturally sensitive way and provide insight to Northwest Harvest into the culture of Tribal communities. This position will be at the forefront of creating relationships with Native American Tribes throughout Washington state. This position works with the Hunger Response Network department to implement events, keep accurate records and databases, perform relevant research, track partner compliance, and engage in advocacy efforts. A Hunger Response Network Specialist is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with our partner food banks, meal programs, and high-need schools.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
FAN Relationship Development – 40%
- Designs and implements Tribal specific strategies and programming
- Maintain an awareness of issues of importance to Native American nations.
- Act as the on the ground expert for the Hunger Response Network.
- Identify the gaps in attention, resources, and communication between Northwest Harvest and Tribal Communities that are impacting the efficacy of program implementation.
- Amplify the voices of tribal communities within and outside of Northwest Harvest.
Partner Program Support - 25%
- Represents as the first point of contact for Tribal partner programs questions or concerns.
- Explores new opportunities for collaboration inside and outside existing partnerships.
- Leads other outreach initiatives, mass mailings, and data-collection efforts from partner networks that benefit partner programs and their participants.
- Provides excellent customer service via telephone, email, written correspondence, and face-to-face interactions with partner programs and other agencies to provide consistent and robust representation for the agency.
- Updates and tracks contract process and other associated paperwork, including renewing existing partner program contracts, applications from potential new partner programs, and other contracts, including childhood nutrition programs.
- Assesses education and training needs of partner programs and develops best practices and training resources to meet program needs.
- Drafts and edits partner communication materials for accuracy, appearance, readability, and style.
Community Engagement - 15%
- Leads programmatic responses to emerging opportunities in the community
- Works with corporate partners to expand community awareness through NWH and third-party events
- Speaks on behalf of the agency and acts as a professional goodwill ambassador representing the agency in the communities we serve, as it pertains to cultivating corporate partners and executing special events
General Departmental and Warehouse Support - 10%
- Fulfills requests for programmatic statistics.
- Assists with coordinating logistics and communications for department events.
- Ensure the successful distribution of Northwest Harvest food.
- Represents Northwest Harvest by completing site visits and food safety inspections to ensure compliance with the Department of Health and Northwest Harvest.
Agency Engagement - 10%
- Represent and present Native American/Tribal perspective to influence agency-wide strategy.
- Stay informed and knowledgeable about Northwest Harvest's strategic activities, and partnership opportunities.
- Participates in strategic planning and evaluation as part of the department team and across the agency.
- Participate in cross-function groups to achieve agency-wide goals as needed.
EQUITY AND INCLUSION
- Demonstrate the initiative to learn and enhance skills that promote anti-racism, cultural competency and an understanding of oppression and its impact.
- Participate in intentional learning efforts, including events relating to understanding and dismantling institutional racism and building cultural competency.
RELATIONSHIPS:
Internal: Frequent contact with leadership and staff.
External: Regular contact with stakeholders, vendors, and professional associates and networks.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A combination of the real-life experience, education, and training listed below which provides an equivalent background to perform the work of this position.
Successful completion of Criminal History Background check is required.
Knowledge of:
- How food plays an essential part in tribal communities.
- Various Tribal Communities' norms, values, key internal stakeholders and influencers, political, cultural, and community.
- Tactful and diplomatic interpersonal skills.
- Coalition building, social justice issues.
- Excel database management, Microsoft programs (Outlook, Access, Word, Excel).
- Customer service and direct service delivery.
Ability To:
- Understand individuals who have experienced poverty or food insecurity.
- Effectively and professionally interact with Tribal Governments, Councils, and Communities.
- Demonstrate cultural sensitivity to the communities served.
- Be a recognized liaison to the communities served.
- Demonstrate interest and commitment to supporting equity and inclusion for historically marginalized groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ populations, and people living with disabilities.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and leadership to assure a high degree of mutual accountability.
- Analyze issues, synthesize information, make decisions, and learn from mistakes.
- Listen effectively and explain complex issues and applicable legal requirements, policies, and procedures to staff and leaders.
- Ask questions to understand the merits of different approaches and shift strategies in response to the demands of a situation.
- Work independently to complete complex research projects, including developing recommendations for where and how to add new partners.
EXPERIENCE:
- Four years of professional experience in a relevant field is preferred.
- Nonprofit experience is desired but not required.
- Individuals with lived experiences of hunger are encouraged to apply.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
Equivalent combination of education, personal, and professional experience needed for the role.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Washington State Driver's License
DISCLAIMER:
The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, or to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. As an adaptive organization, responsibilities can and will change in alignment with greater efficiencies and mission metrics.
COMPENSATION:
Northwest Harvest offers a competitive salary and generous benefits which include but are not limited to paid time off, health/vision/dental insurance, and 401(k) retirement plan.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please visit our “Current Openings” page on the Northwest Harvest website and select the desired position to apply for.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position will remain open until filled.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND NON-DISCRIMINATION:
Northwest Harvest (NWH) is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. NWH does not discriminate with regards to hiring, assignment, promotion or other conditions of staff employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other status protected under local, state or federal law.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, upon request, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of our positions.
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