Program Assistant Jobs in Machias, ME (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

The Program Coordinator supports Hand in Hand / Mano en Mano's mission to ensure that all immigrants and farmworkers have access to resources and increase enrollment to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits across Maine. This position conducts culturally and linguistically responsive outreach, education, and direct application assistance to individuals and families facing barriers such as language access, transportation, immigration status, and poverty, and builds relationships rooted in trust and reciprocity with immigrants and farmworkers. Inform Mano en Mano's work and play a leadership role as a program coordinator to Haitian and/or Latinx farmworkers Downeast. Uphold Mano's racial justice values and philosophy which informs how we support immigrants and farmworkers, including via the Welcome & Resource Centers. Outreach activities take place statewide with a strong focus in Washington and Hancock Counties and during seasonal agricultural work cycles.

Key Responsibilities

• Access to Essential Services and Social Supports: Immigrants and farmworkers' agency is uplifted in the process of meeting needs and/or increasing access to wrap-around social support services.
  • Support: Community members' agency is centered in the process of meeting their needs. Individuals and families are supported in equitably accessing health and wellness services including SNAP material.
  • Information: Immigrants and farmworkers have updated information on resources and services relevant to them and update information about SNAP eligibility and information.
• Community Outreach: Immigrants and farmworkers feel connected and trust is built with advocacy staff overtime via outreach/communication.
• Welcome & Resource Centers: Immigrants and farmworkers are welcomed and celebrated when they arrive. Their humanity and power is centered.
• Relationships and Power: Relationships are built that center workers' agency, power, and humanity.

Outreach & Education

• Use office and centers as a platform and initial point of contact for connecting with immigrants and farmworkers about SNAP information.
• Welcome and celebrate Immigrants and farmworkers to this area. Center their humanity/culture, for example, via verbal welcomes in multiple languages, signage, music or homemade meals on site or at housing locations.
• Support resources (clothing, food, etc.) and/or services (health care, legal advice, etc.) at the office or work sites of workers and families.
• Conduct SNAP eligibility pre-screenings for members of target populations during outreach activities.
• Provide one-on-one assistance with SNAP applications (online preferred, paper when necessary).
• Educate community members about SNAP eligibility, benefit usage, and locations where SNAP benefits are accepted.
• Disseminate SNAP information at farmworker housing sites, food distributions, community events, and partner organization locations.
• Build trust and reciprocal relationships over time. Maintain confidentiality.
• Understands how health and overall well being is tied to housing, food, immigration status, employment, education, etc.
• Facilitate the distribution of resources directly to workers/families. Putting together food boxes with other resources like SNAP information and materials.

Application Support

• Assist individuals with obtaining required SNAP verification documents.
• Support faxing, copying, scanning, and submission of documentation as needed.
• Provide follow-up support related to SNAP applications when appropriate.
• Provide interpretation for community members, other Mano en Mano staff, partner organizations and/or volunteers that support workers and families in meeting their needs including SNAP eligibility requirements.

Community Engagement

• Organize and staff SNAP outreach booths or exhibits at community events and partner meetings.
• Collaborate with community partners to conduct outreach workshops and educational sessions.
• Maintain a public-facing phone line to provide SNAP information and respond to community inquiries.

Materials & Communications

• Distribute SNAP informational flyers and printed materials in appropriate languages.
• Assist with translation of outreach materials and provide bilingual accommodations.
• Share SNAP information through organizational social media platforms using approved materials.
• Connect with community members consistently, in the way they prefer (in person at a distance, phone call, whatsapp messaging, etc.) Share community level health education, SNAP updates, resources, etc.
• Feedback is brought to the team and, with consent, to appropriate local organizations, institutions, etc. Community feedback is integrated at all levels of programming.

Data Collection & Reporting

• Accurately track outreach activities, contacts, and services using weekly service logs.
• Record data related to pre-screenings, application assistance, information dissemination, and outreach events.
• Support program monitoring and evaluation efforts to measure outreach outcomes.

Collaboration and Supervision:

The Community Coordinator receives regular support and feedback from their supervisor, Leslie Monroy.

• Bi-weekly check-ins to focus on pending tasks for those weeks, the work plan for the following weeks, and any feedback on those tasks to ensure things are working well for everybody.

*Note: Mano en Mano values the perspectives all staff bring to their roles, and expects that collaboration, support, and feedback can be shared between staff in any different roles.

The Outreach Coordinator collaborates with community members, staff, and partners

• Leads horizontal collaboration efforts with community members, staff, partners, and institutions rooted in Mano en Mano's values - always centering community member's power, agency, dignity and respect.
• Shares information and resources with all staff (via staff meetings, scheduled check-ins, etc.) to ensure that we are prepared as an organization to bring and share information with all community members.

The Outreach Coordinator does not supervise staff in any other roles.

Qualifications and Hiring Information:

• Values: Must demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Mano en Mano's mission and vision. Ideal candidates for this position will demonstrate experience that reflects a commitment to equity and social justice, especially with people of color and immigrants.
• Experience: At least two years of experience working with community-based organizations, preferably in a full-time capacity.
• Language: Must be fluent in English and Spanish or Haitian Kreyol, French, and able to serve as an interpreter between those languages in a variety of settings (health, legal, etc.)
• Education: High school diploma or higher. Preferred qualifications include: Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree.
• Physical Requirements: driving, lifting boxes up to 50 pounds, visiting remote migrant housing camps that are often not accessible.
• Pay Range: $24.75 - $25.75 /hour based on years of experience with Mano en Mano. Language fluency is already factored in this rate.
• Vehicle: This position is in a remote area, and it's highly suggested you have a personal vehicle to use for commuting to work and for days off. We will provide a shared vehicle for outreach and other travel for work.
• Expected Schedule: Full-Time (40 hours per week) Must be available to work flexible hours, which may include early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
• Hiring Manager/Supervisor: Leslie Monroy
• Timeline: Positions will start as soon as possible and continue until September 2026.