Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Program Intern

JOB DESCRIPTION 

JOB TITLE: Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program Intern  

DEPARTMENT: CSFP & Neighbor Services   

LED BY: Neighbor Services Operations Supervisor  

LOCATION: Brooklyn Park, as well as at Metro-Based Community Organizations 

STATUS: Non-Exempt (Hourly) 

HOURS: 15- 20 hours/week, within 8am-4pm business hours. Duration is mid-May to mid-Aug  

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program partners with the Department of Agriculture to provide low-income seniors with the ability to purchase fresh, locally grown produce from farmers’ markets in their communities. This internship gives hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment by administering this federal program. Interns provide direct service to clients during the distribution of commodity boxes and farmer’s market coupons. Coupons are used at participating Farmer’s Markets for participants to purchase fresh nutritious produce. Interns will gain behind the scenes experience with client registration, site operations, and administrative work.  Interns may also design a project of their choosing to address program needs with guidance from the CSFP Team. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

Assist staff with implementation of the Department of Agriculture’s Farmer’s Market Coupon Program.  

Distribution of coupons to seniors at the Brooklyn Park Client Services space.   

Distribution of coupons at CSFP distribution sites around Twin Cities Metro area as assigned.  

Efficiently answer and return customer phone calls, make reminder phone calls, demonstrating a high degree of customer service. Support direct home delivery service provided at Brooklyn Park by making phone calls as needed in support of direct delivery service. 

Assist program staff in the completion of monthly paperwork, including processing client paperwork and data entry as needed.  

Perform neighbor intake procedures as needed; determine eligibility/recertify current participants for CSFP.  

Facilitate the smooth, efficient and timely distribution of program food and any additional items at the drive-through and external sites as assigned (food boxes are 30-35 pounds each).  

Assist in other Neighbor Services Program areas as needed; such as attending outreach events, produce distributions, and assisting with resource mailings. 

Option to design and present a self-directed project, addressing an identified program need; work with CSFP Team to refine. 

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS 

Demonstrate behavior consistent with SHH’s mission, vision, and values daily. 

Understand safety policies and actively promote safe practices in the workplace. 

Ability to build strong, constructive relationships with a diverse range of individual and organizational partners, where common goals can be discovered, jointly shared and owned for maximum impact. 

Strong commitment to equity; ability to work with individuals from different abilities, ethnicities, genders, races, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds   

Demonstrate self-reflection on how their own identities, experiences, and biases will impact team culture, employee well-being, and the implementation of the organization’s strategic plan.  

Supporting and collaborating on organization-wide equity and diversity efforts. 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS  

Ability to adjust to changing priorities and to work in a fast -paced environment.  

Willingness to interact patiently and empathetically with neighbors. 

Appreciation of cultural and ethnic differences.  

Initiative to identify and act on problems.  

Outstanding time-management and organizational skills. 

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS  

Applicants who are bilingual in Hmong, Somali, Russian, or Vietnamese are strongly encouraged to apply.   

PROFFESIONAL DEVELOPMET OBJECTIVES  

Making concrete, positive changes in the food security of households in Minnesota.  

Increase personal comfort and confidence with direct service to diverse and low-income populations.  

Learn to work independently while serving an integral role within a broader team.  

Gain exposure to the inner workings of a successful non-profit, as well as to federal nutrition programs.  

Receive guidance and feedback in resume and cover letter writing, networking and interview skills.