Community Programs Manager Jobs in Gilbert, AZ (NOW HIRING)

Description

The Arizona Food Bank Network (AzFBN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization looking for a committed, community-minded person who values our vision of a hunger-free Arizona to join our team. The Community Programs Coordinator supports AzFBN's efforts to end childhood hunger by supporting publicly funded schools, (including traditional school districts and charter schools) and community organizations to build relationships and provide resources and technical assistance to aid schools in starting or expanding feeding programs. 

About you:  

The ideal candidate thrives in a role that blends independent work with meaningful collaboration. You understand that lasting change happens when schools, community partners, and advocates work together. You are not intimidated by federal nutrition programs or their rules and regulations but see them as key tools to reduce child hunger. You bring strong organizational skills and attention to detail yet are flexible enough to pivot when a rural school needs a completely different approach. You listen to community feedback and turn barriers into a tailored solution. Your passion to make a tangible difference in ending child hunger will make you a long-term fit as an advocate and supporter for the child nutrition programs in Arizona.   

Primary Responsibilities:  

• Conduct outreach to publicly funded schools, including traditional school districts and charters schools, about innovative strategies to increase student participation in School Breakfast Program (SBP) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP), as well as site participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP, after-school supper program (CACFP), Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), and other community or Federal Nutrition Assistance options available to schools.  
• Identify barriers to participation and provide tailored solutions to help schools maximize federal reimbursement and reduce child hunger.  
• Use data-driven approaches to guide strategies and influence change.   
• Develop and share outreach materials to aid traditional and charter schools in navigating the various federal child nutrition programs and to promote innovative methods for increasing meal participation.  
• Build relationships with food service management companies, caterers, and other valuable external partners that can provide technical support, outreach assistance, or valuable resources to charter schools to aid them in implementing federal child nutrition programs. 
• Build relationships with and support more rural and smaller school districts that have expressed needed support for operational best practices.  
• Document and uplift stories from school communities to humanize the impact of federal child nutrition programs, helping inform and develop AzFBN public-facing campaigns with the goal of increased public support for school meals and increased student participation.   
• Coordinate with AzFBN Advocacy Team to align other Federal Assistance Program priorities with the Federal Child Nutrition Program priorities (SNAP and Medicaid support for direct certification of free meals). 
• Conduct outreach on student and family engagement practices, providing technical assistance to help schools tailor opportunities to fit their school community's needs.  

Minimum Qualifications for Education, Training and Experience:  

A well-qualified individual has strong interpersonal and communication skills and a basic understanding of Federal Child Nutrition Programs. A background in school meals, public health, nutrition, or social work is a plus. A bachelor's degree or an equivalent amount of related professional experience is preferred.  

Other Desired Attributes:  

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  
• Strong relationship building skills.  
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.  
• Capacity to tailor communication effectively to diverse groups, including school administrators, food service personnel, and community partners.  
• Strong problem-solving skills. 
• Demonstrate adaptability to evolving priorities. 
• Active listening skills with the ability to incorporate community feedback into strategic planning.  

Additional Information: 

AzFBN operates in a hybrid model, with on-site work in the Phoenix office and telecommuting options available. You must have a valid Arizona driver's license and willingness to travel as needed. Occasional travel locally and across the state, including overnight stays, will be required.