With a primary emphasis on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), our Public Benefits Team focuses on increased application access and assistance, education and outreach efforts, and advocacy on behalf of CAFB leadership at both the state and local levels. This is critical to reducing our clients’ reliance on emergency food assistance, achieving greater, more sustainable food security and stable lives. 

The Public Benefits Outreach Coordinator is a dual-impact role focused on reducing hunger through both immediate intervention and long-term stability. This position is responsible for identifying and assisting individuals potentially eligible for public benefits—primarily SNAP—across a 20-county region.

When stationed on the floor at the Foxwood Food Center, the coordinator engages directly with neighbors receiving food assistance. Focusing on basic needs such as food insecurity, healthcare, and childcare, the mission in this setting is to offer and provide in-person guidance (primarily SNAP application assistance) to neighbors about additional supports, benefits, and programs. By sharing information about and connecting individuals/families to said resources, the coordinator will strive to eliminate barriers and provide opportunities for greater stability and self-sufficiency. Stationing in Foxwood will be on a rotating basis as coordinated with the other Public Benefits Outreach Coordinators. This is the portion that is known as “Resource Navigating”.

When not stationed at Foxwood, the Public Benefits Outreach Coordinator will support the neighbors through the SNAP (Food Stamps) application process, stay in contact with them, and provide follow-up case work (i.e.. sending documents to state agencies, sending email inquiries, etc.). By advocating for, taking the time to listen to, and treating neighbors with dignity and respect, the Public Benefits Outreach Coordinator will build trust and work alongside them to create pathways to stability. Outreach will require travel within our 20-countyservice area and can look like: arriving in-person to determined locations to provide SNAP assistance, tabling at community events to distribute literature/info, networking with partner organizations/agencies to solicit our services, leaving flyers at consenting businesses/establishments, etc.  

By combining technical application assistance with empathetic advocacy, this role creates sustainable pathways to self-sufficiency for our neighbors in Tennessee and Georgia. The duties mentioned above tend to overlap. This requires a propensity to being flexible and able to pivot.

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Responsibilities:‍

• Neighbor Advocacy & Resource Navigation (Foxwood Food Center)
  
  • Direct Assistance: Engage directly with neighbors at Foxwood Food Center to assess holistic needs (healthcare, childcare, transportation, and utilities).
  • Pathways to Stability: Act as a dedicated advocate, staying in contact with neighbors throughout the process of accessing additional support to ensure successful connection to services.
  • Dignified Service: Listen with empathy and treat all neighbors with compassion, ensuring an efficient and dignified experience during times of crisis.
• SNAP Enrollment & Public Benefits Management(Regional)
  
  • Application Assistance: Provide expert SNAP application support across the 20-county service area, utilizing web applications such as GA Gateway and TN OneDHS.
  • Expert Knowledge: Maintain comprehensive knowledge of TN and GA public benefit policies, barriers, and governmental services.
  • Agency Relations: Foster strong partnerships with member agencies, local DFCS/DHS offices, and community organizations to identify prospective clients.
• Administration & Operations
  
  • Reporting: Maintain accurate program databases and produce timely reports regarding progress, challenges, and neighbor outcomes.
    
  • Content Creation: Use platforms like Canva to create outreach materials that build awareness of SNAP benefits and eligibility while maintaining the CAFB brand.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with the Public Benefits Team and Program Manager to expand and improve the CAFB Public Benefits Access Program.
  • Outreach & Awareness: This position will travel, a company car is provided, within the service area to distribute educational materials, conduct speaking engagements, and lead proactive outreach efforts.
• Communication
  
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to prioritize and manage multiple activities with conscientious attention to detail.
  • Maintains continual communication with prospective applicants during the application process
• Technical Skills
  
  • Proficient in MS Office; experience with creative platforms (Canva) and database management is preferred.
  • Provides regular updates and reports to the Public Benefits Supervisor and Programs Manager regarding activities, progress, and challenges.
  • Organizes SNAP referrals from other community organizations and assists those prospective applicants.

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‍Qualifications:

• Bilingual Proficiency: Required (English/Spanish).
• Education: High School diploma/GED required(Bachelor’s or 2 years post-high school education preferred).
• Experience: Preferred at least 1–2 years of experience in human services, nonprofit work, or high-volume customer service. This is a fast-paced, front-facing position
• Professionalism: Ability to handle emotional situations professionally and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Develop: Must be able to build and maintain relationships with CAFB member agencies and other organizations that may be helpful in identifying prospective clients or may provide the opportunity and venue to do outreach. 
• Educates: Occasionally help build awareness about the SNAP program and its benefits via in-person speaking engagements, advertising and marketing materials.

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Schedule:

• Primarily Monday–Friday but occasional nights and weekends required.

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Mobility:

• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record for occasional regional travel.

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Other Requirements:

• Must pass extensive finger printing, drug screen and background check.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of individuals and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Attend staff meetings and outside work-related events.
• Other duties as assigned.

This is a full-time salaried position with a competitive compensation package, including: vacation and sick leave, health, dental, vision, life and insurance, short-term disability & 401Kcontribution match. The Chattanooga Area Food Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary Range: $40,000 to $42,000, based on experience.

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