Social Service Associate Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Announcement

Kinship Community Food Center is seeking a compassionate, service-minded Human Services Associate to join our team. Reporting to the Human Services Program Manager, this role provides holistic case management, crisis assistance, and mentorship to individuals and families navigating adversity.

Guided by a relationship-centered framework and trauma-informed, strengths-based principles, the Human Services Associate affirms the inherent dignity of every person. This position facilitates a volunteer mentorship program rooted in mutuality, partnering alongside Kinship community members to solve problems, navigate resources, and achieve goals. The successful candidate will exercise sound judgment in complex circumstances and demonstrate relentless follow-through. Through deep relationship-building and steady advocacy, the Human Services Associate accompanies community members on their journey toward healing, stability, and growth.

Areas of Interest or Expertise

Crisis Assistance | Volunteer Mentor Management | Administrative Program Support | Resource Navigation |

Trauma Informed Case Management | Partnership Coordination | Advocacy

Our Mission

Kinship Community Food Center engages volunteers and neighborhood residents to end hunger, isolation, and poverty. The mission pillars of our work are 1) nourishing food security and wellness, 2) fostering kinship and community engagement, and 3) creating stability & economic opportunity.

Our fresh food market, urban farm, food wellness programs, cafe, and catering expand food access while teaching healthful habits and skills in a community of belonging where crisis assistance and mentoring is made available. We believe no one is so deprived that they have nothing to give, and no one is so well-off that they no longer have needs.

Position Responsibilities

Program Coordination & Member Support

• Facilitate holistic care management support by helping to guide the relationship-centered volunteer mentorship program, ensuring consistent, compassionate follow-through for community members.
• Facilitate individualized services by conducting intakes, identifying underlying needs, and providing crisis intervention to support long-term healing, stability, and growth.
• Assist with cultivating community partnerships by identifying, strengthening, and expanding community partner relationships that support access to housing, healthcare, employment, and essential supportive services.

Volunteer Leadership & Development

• Facilitate the recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing development of volunteer mentors and cultivating meaningful and lasting mentor involvement.
• Assist with volunteer training that strengthens skills in relationship-building, active listening, healthy boundary-setting, cultural humility, and trauma-informed support consistent with Kinship's model of care.
• Assist with mentorship support through regular debriefing, strategic guidance, and problem-solving support to ensure mentor retention and program efficacy.

Administrative & Team Collaboration

• Ensure documentation and maintenance of accurate, organized, and confidential participant and program records, adhering to strict confidentiality standards.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Work closely with the broader Human Services team to align programming goals, streamline internal referral processes, and contribute to organizational strategic growth.

Desired Requirements

• Receptiveness to overall servant leader model and mission of Kinship Community Food Center
• Alignment with and ability to actively support a Christian faith-based approach that affirms the inherent dignity of every person and fosters profound respect for diverse life experiences.
• Minimum of three years of professional experience in human services, volunteer management, community engagement, or a closely related field.
• Associate's degree required (Bachelor's degree preferred) in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or a related field; an equivalent combination of relevant lived experience and education will be considered.
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care, strengths-based, and relationship-centered frameworks.
• Demonstrated cultural humility and a proven ability to build trust and work effectively with individuals from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
• High level of emotional intelligence, sound discernment, and the ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with a natural aptitude for public speaking.
• Self-directed worker with strong organizational skills to assist with management of multiple priorities both independently and within a collaborative team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience working with client tracking databases.
• Valid Driver's license, proof of insurance, and transportation to support work activities.
• Able to work required Saturday mornings and occasional evenings to support program schedules.

And We Offer You

A competitive annual salary of $42,000 -$48,000 (commensurate with experience), benefits package, a flexible work environment, an enthusiastic team of dedicated staff and volunteers.

Working Conditions:

Work Location:Open office workspace with active team atmosphere.

Physical Requirements: Standing and sitting for prolonged periods. Typing on a computer keyboard. Lifting objects of 40 pounds or less.

Equipment Used: Computer, printer/copier.

Here is what some Team Members have to say about the Kinship Community Food Center workplace culture:

"I always feel supported, like I have a purpose, and that my coworkers truly care about me."

"The sense of family and willingness to accept each other as they make themselves vulnerable leads to a culture that fosters the risk required for growth and achieving our personal as well as organizational potential."

"The community of shoppers, volunteers, staff, donors, etc., and the culture of generosity here has made this a great place to work. I love that we are so mission driven. As a whole, the community here really cares about the dignity of one another, and we strive to uplift that through our program offerings (offering fresh, farm produce, assisting others in mentoring relationships, offering trainings on poverty and hunger, and so much more)."

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.