Emergency Assistance Coordinator - Bilingual Spanish

Coordinate client registration process for food distributions and provide direct service to clients at our Westmont location. This person will be part of the Social Services team whose goal is to support families experiencing an emergency by providing comprehensive services such as client intake/registration, assessing needs, financial assistance, in-depth guidance, and referrals.

This full-time position will report to the Manager of Social Services. Candidates must be able to stand and walk outdoors for up to 4 hours and are required to work 5 days a week including every Thursday evening and every Saturday morning.
 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
A. Coordinate and supervise the client intake process at all food pantry distributions in Westmont

• Understand the intake process, identify improvements, resolve problems and issues and communicate changes and updates
• Prepare client receiving area and intake stations
• Working with Volunteer Coordinator, identify, implement and improve upon the process of recruiting and screening intake volunteers
• Interview, select and orient new intake volunteers
• Schedule, train, support, recognize and supervise intake volunteers
• Schedule volunteers for food pantry intake and ensure adequate coverage
• Prepare and conduct periodic training sessions for volunteers
• Review service sheets for accuracy to ensure volunteers are entering food pantry services into client database system accurately

B. Provide direct service to clients in Family Connections and Client Services Programs according to program procedures and protocols to ensure efficient and effective service delivery:

• Conduct screening and client assessments to determine eligibility and disburse financial assistance according to established guidelines
• Complete applications for government and mainstream benefit programs accurately as needed
• Provide information, support, and referrals to clients who present in crisis
• For designated families, develop a service plan including financial goals, self-sufficiency and housing stability plan

C. Ensure accurate and timely entry of client data into all applicable databases including ServicePoint, HMIS database, Client Central Database, and Social Services Database.

D. Community Outreach

• Represent PRC at designated community events, committees and groups
• Develop and maintain relationships with prospective partner agencies, as identified

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE
1. Skills/Knowledge

• Commitment to PRC’s mission, values, and community focus
• Enjoys working in a social service organization and with the public
• Bilingual English/Spanish required
• Ability to work independently, with a team, and with a diverse group of individuals
• Ability to work effectively with people from other countries & speaking other languages
• Ability to work effectively with volunteers
• Strong organizational, communication and time management skills
• Able to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Must work well under pressure and have the ability to respond to client problems
• Knowledge of mainstream benefits preferred
• Knowledge of local or DuPage County resources for low income residents preferred
• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet search engines required
• Knowledge of HMIS and Google Docs preferred

2. Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in social work
• 3 years of comparable work experience in social services or related field required
• Experience working with volunteers preferred

BENEFITS
PRC offers a generous compensation and benefits package to our full time employees, including:

• Medical insurance – HMO, PPO (80% Employer paid)
• Dental insurance – PPO (80% Employer paid)
• Short Term Disability & Life insurance (100% Employer paid)
• Flexible Spending Account participation
• SIMPLE IRA retirement plan and 3% company match
• 23 days of Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 12 paid holidays
• Flexible work environment

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
People's Resource Center (PRC) is a not-for-profit, social service organization founded in 1975 by community members looking to help neighbors who were facing financial hardship. Inspired by social justice heroes like Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Day and Jane Addams, founders Dorothy McIntyre, Father Tom Peyton and a group of volunteers sought to do more than start a local food pantry.

With a team of over 1,600 volunteers supported by 47 employees, PRC offers free emergency needs assistance and educational programming. Our emergency and basic needs services include food assistance, clothing, financial assistance, homelessness prevention services, and referrals for medical and dental care. Job search assistance, adult basic education and literacy, computer training and access, and art enrichment equip individuals with the tools and resources they need to build stronger futures.

PRC earned the highest possible rating from Charity Navigator for 12 consecutive years. Only 1% of charities rated have received this distinction, differentiating PRC from its peers, exemplifying the high standard of service at PRC, and indicating that PRC outperforms most other charities in America.
The values that guide our actions and decisions and that are embedded in our culture are:

1. Dignity and Respect: Recognizing the dignity of each person who comes to us, we create a welcoming and respectful environment in all of our programs and communication.
2. Creative and Innovative: We express our mission directly. We try things in the community. We are willing to jump in to new areas in order to address an unmet need.
3. Responsible Stewards: We welcome those who need resources, as well as those with resources to share.
4. Compassionate: We listen, we encourage, we try to get to know our families, we provide some help and guidance, we advocate, in a spirit of kindness and compassion.
5. Integrity: We place a high priority in living out of our principles, in our relationships, programs, and organizational practices.

APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply, please send your resume, cover letter, and salary expectations