Health & Wellness Specialist

Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County•Watsonville, CA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Health and Wellness Specialist will play a key role in the Healthy Food Box Program Team at Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County. Reporting to the Health and Wellness Director, the Health and Wellness Specialist will support membership, site-level communications, and assist with program administration duties. Working alongside the operations and nutrition education teams, the specialist will take part in the packaging process of the Healthy Food Program boxes and support the co-development of relevant educational materials. A key program task includes enrolling members in the Healthy Food Box program, via a secure database, and collecting feedback from members in their chosen language (English or Spanish) for program monitoring purposes. Development of lesson plans, implementation of lessons to the public or staff, training team members, nutrition ambassadors, and providing individual coaching to the participants will be part of the role. The Health and Wellness Specialist is responsible for ensuring that the nutritional education implemented meets program standards as determined by funding source and the Director program evaluation. The Health and Wellness Specialist does not supervise staff. The Health and Wellness Specialist is committed to the mission of Second Harvest Bank and demonstrates this through a strong work ethic and a dedication to SH’s core values; working with the rest of the Programs Department to help break down the food insecurity cycle in our community.

Requirements

Experience working with under-resourced/served communities, or experience working in government, nonprofit or faith-based organizations
Knowledge and interest in nutrition, diet-related chronic illness prevention and management, food justice, food as medicine, and community health.
Excellent customer service skills including but not limited to empathy, tact and patience in working with diverse clients at varying stages of their health and wellness journey.
Ability to present information to a wide range of audiences in an inclusive and engaging manner
Bilingual English/Spanish required.
Bicultural strongly preferred.
Comfortable communicating respectfully with people from different racial, ethnic, and cultural groups, and from diverse backgrounds and lifestyles; sensitivity and understanding of diverse, socio-economic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of residents in the community-at-large
Experience with community engagement and knowledge of community resources (governmental, community, and social service organizations)
High degree of flexibility, ability to multitask, and meet strict deadlines
Strong personal computer skills, including spreadsheet and word processing to generate files and manipulate data, utilizing spreadsheet and word processing tools.
Correct English and Spanish usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Basic filing and record-keeping methods and procedures
Ability to maintain confidentiality of participant information
Promote SHFB and/or program to prospective participants and or the community
Must have access to a motor vehicle, as well as valid auto insurance coverage.
Must have a valid California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record, as documented by a current MVR (will be obtained by the Food Bank’s insurance carrier).
Must pass a background and TB test as required by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, in order to work at on-campus locations.
It is the responsibility of all SHFB personnel to participate in our Food Safety/Food Defense programs.
Demonstrate ethical business practices, in conformance with all state and federal laws and regulations.
Commitment to serving vulnerable populations and ending hunger in Santa Cruz County
Demonstrate full adherence to the Code of Conduct and all policies/procedures related to compliance.
Adherence to all applicable federal and state laws and regulations including, but not limited to, those governing confidentiality, privacy, program, billing, and documentation standards.
Able to hear conversations on the phone and in-person. The person in this position frequently communicates with participants who have inquiries about their cases must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
Must be able to sit at a desk or in a vehicle for long periods of time to perform certain job functions.
Be able to read, write, and interpret written reports, documents and manuals.
Able to safely lift or carry items weighing up to 20-30 pounds.
Bi-manual dexterity and able to use a computer keyboard.
Frequent standing and sitting throughout the day.
Frequently works in outdoor weather conditions.
Use hands to manipulate, handle, feel, and control items or equipment, including laptop computer and motor vehicle.
Climb up or down stairs.
The person in this position needs to frequently walk to various outreach site locations.
Given the front-line nature of our work, there will be instances where staff are required to work a flexible schedule to respond to community needs. Advanced notice will be provided.
In instances of a federal, state or locally declared emergency, Second Harvest is considered an essential service and emergency responder; all its employees may be called in to perform regular or emergent duties.

Nice To Haves

Bicultural strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Responsible for supporting member enrollment and entering member information into an online case management program database.
Carrying a member case load, which includes weekly consultations via telehealth (online or telephone).
Work in collaboration with internal teams to determine which food items meet food as medicine standards.
Support with the weekly planning of the Healthy food box delivery. This includes working with the Health & Wellness team for coordination, strategizing and troubleshooting.
Working in collaboration with the Health & Wellness team to identify appropriate and culturally relevant diagnosis recipes and educational materials.
Assist program manager with internal training and education on CalAIM program
Translate program materials as needed
Take part in conversations with community partners to best support provide individualized care for program participants.
Serve as the face of the Food Bank, representing the organization with a high level of customer service, both in the office and in the community to promote the Nutrition Programs
Support special projects as they arise
Other duties as required

Benefits

Competitive salaries and benefits
Rewarding work environment
Three weeks of vacation time in their first year of service
10 company holidays
12 sick days, per year
4 Gold-rated medical plans: employer covered at 90%-80% depending on the plan.
100% employer-paid benefits for employee Vision, Dental, Life, Long-Term Care, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Employee Assistance Program
Employer subsidized vision and dental insurance for dependents.
AFLAC supplemental plans
Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Supplemental coverage on Life and AD&D plans.
Pet Insurance
403(b) Retirement Plan with generous employer contribution.
Tuition reimbursement program