Food Market Specialist

Our History

In 1879, Father Bernard Donnelly established Mount St. Bernard's Orphanage in Kansas City. With that one act of faith, hope and charity, many lives — and a community — were transformed.

And, from that humble beginning a strong tradition of compassionate care and social service took root, thrived, and grew to become Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Catholic Charities empowers at risk people to create a pathway out of poverty by alleviating their immediate crises to create stability; then providing robust support to lift them to dignity and self-reliance.

Today, millions of lives have been transformed, in the communities we serve. We have office locations in the Kansas City metro-area, St. Joseph, Missouri, a Food Pantry in Kansas City and another in Cameron, Missouri, while serving a 27-county region.

Our Culture/Mission Characteristics

While performing job duties, staff will:

• Follow the Catholic Social and Moral Teachings in all aspects while performing job duties.
• Work collaboratively to achieve goals and resolve conflicts to achieve the greater good.
• Respect the diversity of talents and gifts of others and believe in cultivating those to promote personal and professional development.
• Demonstrate compassion and commitment for helping others improve their own lives.

Mission

Helping people move to a better life through hope-filled care, services, and advocacy; calling all those of goodwill to join us.

Vision

By lifting people in need to the dignity of self-reliance, and encouraging others to help, our communities will become one human family.

Values

Hope/Faith, Trust, Commitment, Collaboration

Objective:

The Food Market Specialist will provide immediate distribution of food market services, working directly with clients and volunteers. This position will collect and organize information which will ensure that all clients that use food market services and will also have access to a broad range of social services provided through Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph. The Specialist may conduct community outreach to promote the Market, including developing collaborative relationships with local food pantries and community organizations. This full-time position is based out of our Kansas City office and is 100% on site. This position pays $37,500 annually.

Responsibilities:

• Complete an intake assessment on each client accessing the food market services.
• Ensures food market, office space, storage room, etc. are all clean and well organized.
• Complies with local, state, and federal food safety/food handling guidelines.
• Monitors the amount of food in the inventory as instructed by Program Manager.
• Ensures that all clients are properly served.
• Work closely with all agency staff, program managers, directors, and others to provide quality services.
• Drive both the agency van and box truck for food pickups at various locations such as Harvesters.
• Assist in warehouse with unloading and sorting of goods as needed.
• Will provide services in the warehouse using the scissor/forklift.
• Works with volunteers to ensure proper execution of tasks and customer service.
• Manages client data input and provides monthly statistics report to Program Manager.
• Participates in monthly staff meetings, agency training, and other agency-related activities.
• Provide support with other department initiatives, special events including parish and community outreach in Kansas City and surrounding counties, as well as participate to collaborate with Harvesters for food related activities and programs.
• Operate the agency van as a driver for mobile food distributions and outreach opportunities in Kansas City and surrounding counties.
• Comply with all other requests and tasks as assigned by the Program Manager and or Chief Programs Officer.
• Collaborate with staff regarding additional services, financial assistance, community resources, and referrals to internal/ external services.
• Assist clients with completing the SNAP application and provide SNAP information to clients.
• Offer all clients information about the alternative social services related to food.
• Attend community meetings for up-to-date details regarding local events and social services.
• Some travel required as requested or needed to support food drop-offs or pick-ups.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent, associate or bachelor's degree in human services is preferred.
• Have professional experience in the social services field or emergency food sector.
• Bi-lingual preferred.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Effective Communication Skills.
• Understanding the needs of low-income families and comfortable working in a diverse setting.
• Willing to travel in all four seasons.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office, software, specifically Excel, Outlook and Teams.
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
• The ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Valid Driver's License and a clean record with the ability to drive a van.
• May need to travel to various neighborhoods that may require an elevated level of alertness and awareness of surroundings.
• Work with clients who require consistent and comprehensive support, some clients under potentially stressful conditions.
• Offer clients at the food pantry information regarding social service in the area.
• Remain in a stationary position at a workstation and use a computer.
• Assist with moving boxes, packing, and carrying food pantry bags.
• Collaboration with staff for meetings and program outreach, along with parishes and other social service agencies.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods standing and up to four hours per shift sitting and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to work in hot and cold climates and in an environment with many noises.

I understand that as an employee of Catholic Charities I am expected to perform job duties in alignment with the following:

• Follows the Catholic Social and Moral Teachings in all aspects while performing job duties.
• Works collaboratively to achieve goals and resolves conflict to achieve the greater good.
• Respect for the diversity of talents and gifts of others and belief in cultivating those to promote personal and professional development.
• Demonstrates compassion and commitment for helping others improve their lives.
• Adheres to our Values of Hope/Faith, Trust, Collaboration and Commitment.