Benefits Specialist I

This position is in-office everyday at our East Point location. 

Who We Are: 

The Atlanta Community Food Bank is working to end hunger in our community with the food, people and big ideas needed so that no one worries about where their next meal is coming from.  Since 1979, we have been providing food for a growing network of nonprofit partners – including food pantries, community kitchens, childcare centers, night shelters and senior centers.  We currently serve more than 700 partners in 29 counties across metro Atlanta and north Georgia. 

Where You’ll Work: 

Benefits Outreach / Partner Relations  

About the Role: 

The purpose of the Benefits Specialist I is to assist clients in submitting applications for public assistance programs at designated locations and/or over the phone at our main office. As a Benefits Specialist I, you will also be responsible for submitting client documentation and recording client data. Through a partnership with the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS), our goal is to facilitate the application process for clients who may have limited access to transportation, have been historically underserved, or need general assistance with the application process. 

What You will Do: 

Application Assistance 

• Empower potentially eligible people to make an informed decision about whether or not to apply for SNAP and/or other forms of government assistance.  
• Educate recipients of the recertification process to improve program retention. 
• Maintain expert knowledge of program policy information and changes, such as eligibility requirements, acceptable forms of verification, etc.  
• Coordinate and conduct application processing through promotional events, arrange application sessions, and use phone calls or emails to screen and enroll potential SNAP participants. Act as a liaison for future client follow-up and communication in collaboration with the SNAP Manager. 
• Navigate community resources in areas such as: food, clothing, housing, mental health, and medical services for client use. 
• Represent the Food Bank with community members and partners as subject matter expert and attend community events. 
• Partner with SNAP Manager to monitor federal and state policy to ensure barriers and opportunities are identified and addressed. 
• Collaborate with partner organizations to ensure outreach at the partner’s location is positioned for success. 

Case Management / Build and Nurture Relationships 

• Support execution of the Benefits Outreach Strategy by expanding and retaining partners and ensuring ongoing excellent customer service. 
• Establish and build effective relationships externally with current and potential partners.  
• Collaborate within teams in the department to connect clients and partners to other Food Bank Programs.  
• Monitor, track, and report application progress and outcomes. 
• Generate reports to accurately capture the number of applications submitted in each period. 
• Partner with Management to maintain appropriate record keeping in web-based CRM for data tracking, reporting, and use in grant applications. 
• Communicate with DFCS staff to assist clients with ordering new EBT cards confirm issuance, and help clients troubleshoot common EBT card issues 

Customer Service / Performs data and administrative activities   

• Capture and record application data, create reports, and communicate results as needed.    
• Maintain good rapport with partner agencies and clients. Tracks, monitors, and maintains application data in Benefits Outreach CRM and other supporting systems. 
• Answer questions via phone, voicemail and/or email about organization, public benefits and/or services including providing addresses, directions, and other referral information. 
• Interact with a diverse group of people in a professional manner. 

Key Competencies we look for in All our Food Bankers are:   

• Customer Focus 
• Decision Making 
• Accountability 
• The Ability to Navigate Change 

If you’re excited about this role and can clearly demonstrate these and the other skills named below, we encourage you to apply.  You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles! 

What You’ll Need: Skills and experience your resume should demonstrate: 

• Demonstrated experience working with the public; assisting individuals with benefits enrollment, recommending services, problem solving issues, or the like.   
• Work history that includes attention to detail, collecting, maintaining, and documenting information and complying with compliance procedures/protocols. 
• Experience providing excellent customer service, including clear communication, problem resolution and follow up, etc. 
• Must be proficient in Microsoft and have experience using Microsoft Apps such as Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint, etc. 
• This position works with diverse populations, so the individual must demonstrate solid skills working with elderly, linguistically diverse, interfaith, BIPOC, and LGBTQx groups. 

There may be some Physical Demands and Travel: 

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Employee is routinely required to lift to 25 lbs. 
• The employee is frequently required to travel in the local metro Atlanta area to community partner sites. The Benefit Coordinator will work a flexible full-time hourly schedule and be available to occasionally work weekends and/or evenings as assigned.  
• Employee may primarily work at partner locations, from the ACFB office in East Point, or from one of the CFC locations while overall having a flexible schedule.  
• Must have a valid driver’s license.