Senior CalFresh Program Specialist

Who We Are

Founded in 1965,
UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs.

It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

To learn more about UC Irvine, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The University of California, Irvine Basic Needs Center promotes equitable access to basic needs through student empowerment, community collaboration, and institutional integration. Our aim is to shift cultural consciousness towards understanding the fulfillment of basic needs, which include food and housing security - a guaranteed right for every person. We are committed to making UCI a basic needs-secure campus. We understand that meeting the basic needs of our students greatly impacts their mental and physical health, academic performance, work productivity, and holistic success.

The Basic Needs Center offers emergency food and housing resources, connects students to critical on and off-campus resources, and provides educational opportunities for students to take personal responsibility for their wellness and the well-being of their communities.

Under the supervision of the Director of Basic Needs Center, the Senior Cal Fresh Program Specialist leads the center's efforts to increase community awareness and student enrollment in public benefits, with an emphasis on the Cal Fresh/SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Promotes and oversees Cal Fresh Application Assistance services to over 10,000 eligible students. Trains and supervises a team of Student Advocates and leads public benefits outreach and education activities while motivating eligible students to enroll in the Cal Fresh program.

Maintains the campus Community Based Organization (CBO) partnership with the Social Services Agency of Orange County (OCSSA) and executes collaborative large scale enrollment events. Fosters campus partnerships to target outreach to eligible student populations. Leads outreach and awareness efforts and maintains print and digital informational materials. Collects and analyzes data on the demographics of students applying for public benefits. Assesses and evaluates services and provides suggestions and recommendations for further improvements as needed.

Required:

• Strong knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
• Thorough knowledge of Student Affairs / Student Life specialization.
• Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance and the actions to improve performance.
• Abilities in project management, problem identification and reasoning skills.
• Ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
• Experience in developing promotional programs and/or presentations on issues relevant to student services.
• Skill to present material to a variety of constituent groups in a manner that is engaging and easily understood.
• Ability to successfully address and mediate conflicts in a tactful and neutral way.
• Experience researching, reviewing and critically analyzing publications and literature regarding best practices in higher education focusing on supporting student development, leadership, and success.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience working in public benefits facilitation in a college setting

Preferred:

• Thorough knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Master's degree preferred.

Special

Conditions:

• Some evening and weekend events and programs

In addition to…