Community Outreach Specialist

The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri•Columbia, MO

About The Position

The Community Outreach Specialist will help move our community toward a stronger understanding of food insecurity, with special emphasis on connecting with The Food Bank’s network of partners; increasing involvement of network partners and those with lived experience of food insecurity in advocacy efforts; engaging individuals with lived experience in advocacy efforts; strengthening advocacy-related collaboration with other charitable food organizations; and increasing The Food Bank’s visibility with policy leaders. Duties include supporting partner agencies in understanding and implementing practices that meet the regulations of USDA programs like TEFAP and CSFP and supporting The Food Bank’s state and federal-level advocacy efforts. Additionally, this position is responsible for compiling, analyzing and disseminating food insecurity data to key stakeholders and staff. The ideal candidate will have strong customer service skills; understand the role of state and federal programs in operations; and have experience working with diverse populations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required
1-3 or more years of experience in advocacy, public policy, government relations, community organizing, coalition building, nonprofit programming or community engagement.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
Proficient computer skills and the ability to learn new software.
Excellent organizational skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Excellent presentation skills and a high level of comfort speaking with groups of people.
Able to work varying hours, including nights and weekends, as the job requires.
Ability to lift 25 pounds.
A valid driver’s license and insurance
Ability to travel within service area

Nice To Haves

a degree in public policy, political science, social work, public health, nonprofit management, communications or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain strategic relationships with key state officials and advocate for practical, barrier-reducing regulatory approaches that strengthen charitable food.
Track key anti-hunger and nutrition-related legislation in partnership with counterparts at Feeding Missouri.
Attend policy conferences, forums and more to stay up-to-date with local and statewide efforts and share acquired information with team and stakeholders.
Develop fact sheets, impact stories, policy briefs, data summaries and other educational materials for legislators and their staff, as well as talking points to help internal audiences stay aligned with advocacy priorities.
Support external policy communication through the development of messaging for a variety of audiences, to be shared through both print and digital mediums.
Help organize and take part in legislative outreach, including meetings with lawmakers and their staff, to support strong state nutrition programs.
Identify and engage stakeholders (especially neighbors and partner agencies) who have an interest in and can effectively support advocacy efforts.
Regularly engage partners to build strong, collaborative relationships and open communication among the network and The Food Bank team.
Collect and synthesize testimonials, community insights and program data that illustrate the impact of policies on neighbors and partner agencies.
Educate the network on public policy and how nonprofits can appropriately advocate for the work of the charitable food sector.
Demonstrate the value of advocacy efforts to network partner engagement.
Provide key stakeholders with development opportunities and support so they can share their experiences with policymakers efficiently and effectively.
Serve as a point of contact for partner agencies and neighbors navigating government program issues or concerns, helping to clarify options, alleviate barriers, and record opportunities that inform advocacy priorities.