Bergen Cares Assistant

BERGEN COMM COLLEGE•Paramus, NJ

2d•$0 - $20

About The Position

Under the direction of the Bergen Cares Center Coordinator, the Bergen Cares Assistant supports the management of the Bergen Cares Food Pantry and Threads Clothing Closet and supervises student workers and volunteers. The position assists with food and student emergency assistance, donations and distribution of food and clothing, addressing food and housing insecurity on campus, and providing social-service referrals in collaboration with the Center for Food Action and Bergen Community College Personal Counselors. The assistant conducts intake assessments and supports Emergency Fund Request applications, connects visitors with campus and community resources, participates in outreach and advocacy, creates promotional materials, and helps maintain records, inventory, and the organization of the pantry and clothing closet. The role also handles a high volume of phone inquiries, assists with daily store tasks, maintains confidentiality and professional boundaries, and completes additional projects as directed by the Bergen Cares Center Coordinator.

Requirements

Associate degree; preferably in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related area.
Ability to think conceptually, develop and implement policies and procedures, and make administrative or procedural decisions and judgments.
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
Superior verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to supervise student workers.
Proficiency with various computer software programs and Ellucian-Colleague (formerly Datatel) or a similar higher-education student information system.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related field preferred.
Experience working with a culturally diverse community.
Experience in student support or advisement, case management, program management, implementation, and administration preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervise Bergen Cares food pantry and Threads Closet student workers when the Bergen Cares Coordinator is absent.
Conduct intake assessments with visitors and complete all aspects of Emergency Fund Request applications, including initial meetings, outreach to financial aid, and student follow-up.
Refer visitors to on-campus or community resources as needed.
Refer students at risk to a Personal Counselor or the Assistant Vice President of Student Support as needed.
Participate in outreach, including food pantry and Threads tabling events, hunger-free advocacy, and Homeless Awareness Week.
Conduct outreach across Bergen Community College through tabling events, class presentations, and collaboration with campus departments, student clubs, and organizations to develop donation drives.
Create and distribute promotional materials, including flyers, posters, and social media content.
Serve as a member of the campus Hunger Task Force.
Maintain clear professional and personal boundaries with visitors and student workers.
Assist the Coordinator with collecting and maintaining pantry and clothing closet data, including logs of food donations and stocked items.
Assist with daily store tasks, including maintaining office supplies, cleaning student workspaces, and folding and hanging clothes.
Assist the Coordinator with inventory and organization of the Food Pantry and Threads Storage Closet in S-115 and C-111A, including records of available sizes and donation counts.
Answer and respond to a high volume of phone calls to the Bergen Cares Center and address inquiries as needed.
Complete additional projects as directed by the Bergen Cares Center Coordinator.
Maintain the confidentiality of faculty, students, and staff who visit the Threads Clothing Closet and Bergen Cares Center.