3SquaresVT Specialist

Position Title: 3SquaresVT Specialist
Supervisor: SNAP Policy & Training Lead
Employee Status: Exempt / Full-time
Standard Hours: Hybrid, 35 hours per week; in-state travel, some early mornings, evenings and weekends
Starting Salary: $51,000 annually
Comprehensive Benefits including medical/dental/vision, generous paid time off, retirement, and disability benefits.

Position Summary

Hunger Free Vermont envisions a vibrant community-centered future where every one of us has the nourishing food we need and want. Do you share that vision? Did you know that 3SquaresVT (SNAP) is Vermont’s most comprehensive food security program? Are you ready to join a vibrant group of champions leading the charge to end hunger in Vermont? If so, step into the role of 3SquaresVT Specialist. As the 3SquaresVT Specialist you will be developing expertise in the rules and nuances of 3SquaresVT. You will use your emerging expertise to train community partners and service providers across the state about the program and connect them with resources to help share positive and compelling messages about 3SquaresVT with the individuals and families that they serve. So, if you’re ready to turn passion into action, join us as the 3SquaresVT Specialist and be part of mobilizing this critical solution to end hunger in our state.

The Training & Education Team

You will be a member of the Training & Education Team, housed in our Program Department. You will also take part in cross-team working groups to collaboratively forward our organization’s priorities.

The Training and Education Team develops training opportunities and provides technical support to service providers and community-serving groups all over the state, anchored in the effective delivery of federal food and nutrition programs to everyone in Vermont.  The team helps partners navigate complex statutes, regulations, and guidelines–ensuring they have all the knowledge and tools to effectively operate programs and support people navigating the programs & applications.  With our expertise and guidance, our partners can confidently implement effective strategies that improve dignified and human-centered pathways to federal nutrition programs in Vermont.

Working at Hunger Free Vermont 

Hunger Free Vermont is dedicated to ensuring everyone in Vermont has what we need to thrive, including nourishing food. We place a high value on the well-being of both our colleagues and everyone we serve. We have deliberately designed roles that require teamwork and collaboration across teams, because diverse perspectives lead to more effective, equitable, and less biased outcomes, and because shared knowledge lets each of us hand things off to one another so we can all take time off and sustain a work-life balance that supports ourselves and our families. Embracing a learning culture, we encourage curiosity and innovation and actively work to create an environment where colleagues practice open communication. Recognizing that our work requires emotional and mental energy as human beings, we value colleagues who want to contribute to a culture of care.

Focus of Position 

• You will be developing expertise in SNAP policy, over time you will contribute to deepening Hunger Free Vermont’s organizational knowledge and understanding of the current federal, state and administrative rules of the program.
• You are responsible for supporting quarterly 3SquaresVT trainings for community organizations and service providers who offer 3SquaresVT application assistance. Quarterly trainings are meant to educate service providers on technical program rules, policies, and application assistor best practices to ensure understanding of eligibility and benefit maintenance requirements. Over time, you will be learning to both create and deliver these trainings, which are held primarily on Zoom.
• With support from the SNAP Policy & Training Lead, you are responsible for tracking and reporting of your activities towards grant promises.
• You are responsible for supporting the monthly 3SquaresVT Workgroup meetings, which includes scheduling meetings, maintaining the email-based listserv, organizing agendas and sending them out in a timely manner, ensuring meeting minutes are taken and sent out in a timely manner, and responding to feedback and requests from the Workgroup members.
• You play an active role in the internal 3SquaresVT Conference Working Group to plan, organize, and ultimately host the annual statewide 3SquaresVT Outreach & Policy Conference.
• You will inform  state, regional, and federal advocacy efforts as they impact or relate to 3SquaresVT/SNAP by listening and collecting feedback on what does and doesn’t work in the federal programs. This feedback will be raised to state and federal decision-makers to improve the reach and availability of the programs, especially for those most impacted by hunger
• You will be responsible for maintaining and updating Vermontfoodhelp.com, Hunger Free Vermont’s 3SquaresVT Resource Hub.
• You will collaborate with the Outreach Manager on 3SquaresVT related outreach campaigns. This includes supporting the development of materials designed to connect  individuals with 3SquaresVT; assisting in the printing, sorting, organizing, and tracking of these materials at the office; distributing these materials to partner organizations; and representing the organization at outreach events.
• All members of the Programs Department support the Development and Finance teams by developing and managing team and project budgets, and by documenting work and contributing ideas, information, and language for grant proposals and reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Important Perspectives, Knowledge, and Skills 

We encourage all candidates who can demonstrate a fit with the role, even if you don’t match every qualification listed below, to apply. We embrace nontraditional paths and appreciate the fresh insights they offer.  You could demonstrate your experience and skills in a variety of ways, including professional or volunteer work, travel or living abroad, creative pursuits, and military service.

• Demonstrated interest in working with others to make change in a system or institution to advance and promote economic, social, and racial justice.
• Proven ability to connect with a wide variety of people and partner organizations through meetings, group presentations, and over the telephone, with a combination of warmth and directness, so that you are able to be of service and advance Hunger Free Vermont’s priorities.
  Interest and aptitude to research, learn, and understand the complex rules and regulations of 3SquaresVT (SNAP).
• Interest and aptitude to explain complex rules and regulations to others using plain language and trauma-informed practices.
• A belief that hunger and its root causes are solvable, and a desire to contribute to ending these injustices for everyone in Vermont.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to be a curious and active listener.
• Proven ability to work cooperatively and independently, manage complex projects, and build positive relationships with other staff and external partners.
• Ability to read, write, & communicate in English. The ability to communicate in any other language(s) is a welcome plus.
• Ability to operate basic computer and internet programs like Google Suite and a willingness to learn new systems, applications, and technologies on the job.
• A valid driver’s license and ability to access a vehicle for travel within the state as needed.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands 

Hunger Free Vermont will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of their work to the degree we are able to do so.

• Internal Work Conditions: Work is performed either from your home, or in a climate controlled office environment with no exposure to hazardous materials/conditions. There is a moderate level of noise from office equipment (phone, copier, etc) and an office layout that includes open work areas, meeting rooms, and smaller private work rooms.
• External Work Conditions: Routine in-state travel to training/meeting sites is required; some availability outside of normal business hours is required.
  Physical Demands:Reliable attendance at regularly scheduled meeting times is required
  • Must be able to work in an office environment and operate a computer and phone for extended periods of time
  • Work may include occasionally bringing boxes of outreach materials to other organizations or transporting tabling supplies, which may weigh up to 20 pounds.

Bringing diverse perspectives into anti-hunger work is critical to affecting meaningful change. To expand the diversity of voices who speak with authority toward this end, we welcome candidates with lived experience in hunger. Hunger Free Vermont is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and welcomes diversity in the workplace. If we can assist you in applying for this position, we warmly welcome you to contact us by emailing [email protected] or by calling (802) 865-0255.