NourishCorps AmeriCorps Field Specialist

NourishCorps Field Specialist - Half Time Service Description

Position Type

AmeriCorps Member

Position Title

NourishCorps Field Specialist Member (2 opportunities available)

Service Term

Half-Time Position (25 Hours/Week): Service Term 11/03/2025-07/31/2026

Service Location

The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana

4600 Central Avenue

Monroe, LA 71203

This service will take place at the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, its food distributions, and partner agency sites.

Service Position Purpose & Summary

AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteering that empowers thousands of members across the U.S. to serve in their communities. Feeding Louisiana, the state food bank association, will place 14 AmeriCorps members at food bank facilities throughout the state to support community members with critical food insecurity needs.

Feeding Louisiana refers to its network of AmeriCorps as its "NourishCorps," emphasizing the distinct purpose of these members to expand the ability of the food banks to nourish people in need. NourishCorps members will join a cohort of statewide AmeriCorps members dedicated to combating food insecurity and will gain personal and professional leadership skills, training, mentorship from food bank and Feeding Louisiana staff, and relationships with a supportive network of fellow members.

NourishCorps Field Specialist Members will expand the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana's capacity to connect neighbors with food and nutrition resources, improve access to federal nutrition programs, and strengthen outreach efforts that raise community awareness of food assistance. Members will support outreach, enrollment, and distribution activities related to two major programs:

1. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) – the federal program that helps eligible individuals and families purchase food each month (formerly called food stamps)

2. CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) – the federal program providing monthly food boxes to low-income seniors.

The members will enhance the food bank's outreach efforts, community education, and data collection process while getting hands-on operational experience. The members will help more neighbors access food resources and benefits while building connections between the food bank and the people it serves.

About This Unique Position Within the Food Bank

NourishCorps Field Specialist Members will serve in a unique capacity-building role that strengthens the food bank's ability to connect with community members and partners. This role focuses on expanding outreach, education, and application support to build sustainable systems that improve food access and awareness.

Members will increase awareness of available food assistance programs, provide one-on-one guidance to neighbors navigating SNAP and CSFP enrollment, and support logistics for community food distribution and nutrition programs. These activities are designed to enhance existing operations, ensuring that staff and volunteers can serve additional neighbors more effectively.

Activities may include:

1. Strengthen outreach and education by hosting or participating in community events, job fairs, and information tables to share SNAP and CSFP information.

2. Providing one-on-one guidance to neighbors as they navigate food assistance applications under the supervision of the site supervisor.

3. Traveling to and participating in mobile pantry and CSFP distribution events, taking part in intake, record-keeping, neighbor interaction, set-up and break-down, and ensuring safe handling of food and supplies.

4. Promoting nutrition education by planning and participating in cooking demonstrations and community workshops.

5. Conduct follow-ups at backpack sites to collect program data and feedback.

Service Position Activities Will Also Include

· Performing duties in accordance with food bank safety policies and Feeding Louisiana's NourishCorps member handbook.

· Attending and completing all NourishCorps and food bank required training and orientation.

· Traveling to other Louisiana food banks for training, service, and networking opportunities with NourishCorps members throughout the state.

· Meeting with food bank site supervisor and Feeding Louisiana staff as scheduled.

· Inputting data into computer systems, supporting programmatic operations, and supporting organization of client records and data under supervision.

· Shopping, preparing, and cooking healthy meals for cooking demonstrations and pop-ups.

· Providing referral services for clients.

Qualifications

· Must have a Louisiana driver's license or state ID.

· Must pass an AmeriCorps National Criminal history check.

· Must be 17 years of age or older.

· Must obtain a Servsafe food safety certificate at the time of orientation.

· Must have high school diploma or be in a program earning a high school equivalent degree.

· Must be able to lift 40 pounds unassisted.

· Must be able to stand for long periods of time.

· Must have basic computer skills.

· Must have access to reliable and consistent means of transportation.

· Must pass a motor vehicle record (MVR) driving check.

NourishCorps Member Benefits & Member Experience

· Member living allowance of up to $11,000 possible based on serving 900 hours throughout the 11/10/2025–7/31/2026 term, distributed as $550 every bi-weekly pay period.

· Upon successful completion of 900 hours of service, the member will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.

Supportive and valuable NourishCorps member experience as the inaugural cohort, including:

· Mentorship from food bank and Feeding Louisiana staff.

· Opportunity to build relationships with NourishCorps members throughout the state as the first-ever NourishCorps cohort.

· Professional development and training opportunities.

· Traveling to other regions of the state to learn from other food banks, develop personal and professional leadership skills, and build camaraderie with NourishCorps members (travel costs paid).

More About AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteering that empowers thousands of members across the U.S. to serve in their communities. Members support neighbors with critical needs such as food insecurity and healthy futures, disaster service relief, economic opportunity, education initiatives, environmental stewardship, and supporting veterans and military families. AmeriCorps members can receive practical benefits such as a member living allowance, professional development opportunities, student loan deferment, and a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon completion of their service term.

How to Apply

Email resume and cover letter briefly explaining why you are interested in serving to (Marleah Walker, Feeding Louisiana's Director of Programs& Outreach). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled, with priority given to those received by 10/24/25.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $ $11.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Ability to Commute:

• Monroe, LA Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Monroe, LA 71203: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person