Anti-Hunger VISTA Associate

Positions Available

The Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), in partnership with Hunger Free America, has an opening for an AmeriCorps VISTA Associate in its state-based initiative, Maryland Hunger Solutions, headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland to help build capacity for the federal nutrition programs in that state. This position is a yearlong AmeriCorps/VISTA placement sponsored by Hunger Free America.  For more information about Hunger Free America’s VISTA program, please visit their website. This will be a hybrid position with the expectation of both in-person and remote work. Applicants should reside in Maryland, DC, or northern Virginia.

Organizational Background – Maryland Hunger Solutions

FRAC is the leading national nonprofit organization working to improve and implement effective public policies and public-private partnerships to eradicate hunger and undernutrition in the United States. FRAC engages in research, technical assistance, information dissemination, policy analysis and advocacy, coalition-building, and an array of communications strategies. FRAC works in partnership with hundreds of national, state and local nonprofit organizations, public agencies, corporations and labor organizations to address hunger and food insecurity, and poverty as their root cause.

MDHS works to alert the public and policymakers about the extent of hunger and its impact on Maryland residents, to forge workable solutions at the state and local level, to track the performance of state and local agencies, to identify and spread best practices and to engage a network of partners to make the federal nutrition programs accessible to all those who are in need.   MDHS is a collaborative partner with anti-hunger efforts across the state of Maryland, including the Montgomery County Food Council, the Prince Georges Food Equity Council, the Baltimore Food PAC, the Maryland State Food Resilience Council, the Metropolitan Council of Government’s Food and Agricultural Regional Committee, and others. MDHS also leads the Maryland Food Access and Nutrition Network and is a key participant in various other anti-hunger and anti-poverty coalitions.  For more information on MDHS, see http://www.mdhungersolutions.org.

About the Anti-Hunger Corps

The Hunger Free America Anti-Hunger Corps VISTA program aims to reduce hunger and poverty and build the capacity of the agencies that address these issues. Members will build the capacity of the organization to improve access to food from government and nonprofit sources for targeted populations in particular and food insecure people in general; enable residents of food deserts to access healthier foods through farmers markets and community gardens; help more low-income children to obtain free school breakfasts and summer meals; enable nonprofit groups fighting hunger and poverty to raise more money and recruit and manage more volunteers, particularly high-impact and skilled volunteers.

Goals and responsibilities of the Associate include:

• Assist in activities related to maintaining and building Maryland’s Hunger Free Campus Network.
• Collaborate with existing partner agencies- including community and faith-based organizations as well as local social service agencies and food policy councils.
• Assist in research projects documenting the use of federal nutrition programs.
• Support the activities of MDHS’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach team; including responding to clients on our SNAP call line, assisting clients with SNAP applications and renewals, and performing case management when necessary
• Develop educational materials and utilize social media to promote SNAP education and outreach.
• Recruitment and training of SNAP outreach volunteers.
• Maintain and organize data as it relates to MDHS SNAP activity

Skills and Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in a field related to social justice/anti-hunger.
• Good oral and written communications skills. Ability to present and speak in public on behalf of the organization.
• Detail-oriented planning and implementation skills.
• Willingness to work varied hours.
• Good organizational skills.
• Self-starter; ability to work independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; team orientation.
• Evidence of commitment to social justice; experience with SNAP/food stamp program a plus.
• Knowledge or interest in child nutrition and hunger-related issues.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite products with ability to use Excel for data collection preferred.
• Conversant in Spanish strongly preferred.
• Ability to travel for local meetings and events.

Time Commitment

This is a one-year, full-time position beginning in September 2023. You are expected to be available for the needs of your community and project at all times, including days, nights and weekends. Because AmeriCorps VISTA service requires a full immersion in the project and community, there are restrictions on outside full-time employment, along with some restrictions on political and religious activities. For more information, please review the AmeriCorps VISTA Terms, Conditions and Benefits information available here.

Housing:

You are responsible for finding your own housing.

Program Benefits

• Bi-weekly living stipend (Baltimore - $613.48).

• Segal Education Award ($6,195) or End-of-Service stipend ($1,800).

• Health benefits*.

• Housing assistance for one-month rent.

• Potential to forbear or defer student loans while in service.

• Relocation assistance (if applicable).

• Childcare assistance (if applicable).

• One-year non-competitive status for federal government positions.

• A network of over 180,000 AmeriCorps VISTA members and alums.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume, along with 2 references to Maryland Hunger Solutions. You will also need to apply through Hunger Free America. You can find the application below.

The position is available immediately. It will close when filled. However, FRAC seeks to hire a qualified individual as soon as possible.

FRAC is especially interested in candidates with lived expertise with hunger or poverty who can contribute to the diversity of the organization.

FRAC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. FRAC is firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on age, gender, race, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic or national origin.