Project Assistant, Social Services Program region; Temporary

Project Assistant, Social Services Job Training Program – Chicago, IL region (Temporary)

Sep 10, 2026

Hunger Free America (HFA) is a national nonprofit organization working to enact the policies and programs needed to end domestic hunger and ensure that all Americans have sufficient access to nutritious food.

This position supports the implementation of the Illinois-specific programming of a 4-year Innovation Spark grant from the Albertsons Companies Foundation – with additional funding through the states of Illinois and Maryland -- to provide assistance to a combined total of 200 individuals in Maryland and Illinois who are unemployed, underemployed or employed in low-wage jobs to obtain living-wage employment in the social services field.

The initiative offers 16-week job training with comprehensive support and guidance, preparing participants for jobs in the social service sector, in which there exist significant vacancies nationwide. Program participants are trained to engage in outreach and enrollment activities for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women Infants and Children Program (WIC) and other resources, thereby enhancing the grant’s impact and promoting sustainable solutions to hunger within their communities.

The full-time position is expected to last at least 6 months in duration, with the possibility of a reduction to part-time hours beginning in February 2027. Candidates must live in or within commuting distance to Chicago - or be willing to relocate without relocation assistance
-and will spend most days working from a project office in or near the city as well as at various community sites.

This position will report to HFA’s Project Manager, Social Services Job Training Program – Chicago, IL region.

• Work collaboratively with nonprofit and government partners to deliver social service training programs that align with participants’ and project partners’ needsand which meet all applicable rules and regulations
• Provide support to the Project Manager
• Provide in-person SNAP eligibility screenings and application assistance
• Work collaboratively with local partners and Project Manager to help deliver training program curriculum
• Work collaboratively with local partners, Project Manager, and other HFA staff to promote program and recruit program participants
• Work collaboratively with the Project Manager to conduct various hands-on workshops to help people with lived experience with food insecurity and poverty write resumes, search for jobs, and practice interview skills
• Work collaboratively with the Project Manager and local partners to hold several job fairs to connect low-income people with social service employers
• Collect feedback from program participants to ensure a positive training experience and improve program delivery
• Ensure program participant and partner data is properly tracked and managed for both internal purposes and stakeholder engagement and reporting
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements and other funding agreements
• Any other duties as assigned by the Project Manager

• Experience in anti-hunger/nutrition benefits screening (e.g. SNAP, WIC); working in low-income communities
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is preferred, although people with significant, relevant work experience will be considered
• Preference for candidates with three or more years of experience in workforce development, social services, and/or teaching
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for a variety of audiences, including the ability to adjust communication as socially and culturally appropriate
• Proven ability to collaborate professionally and effectively with diverse stakeholders
• A high-energy self-starter with…