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Legal Aid Society

SNAP Community Outreach Advocate

Legal Aid Society

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Job Summary

Legal Aid Society has an immediate opening for a full-time (40 hours per week) SNAP Community Outreach Advocate in its Nashville office.  This position will network and build sustaining relationships with local, regional, and national anti-hunger advocacy organizations and service providers, and will provide outreach and education about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility, program requirements, and program changes to individuals, groups, and organizations in LAS’s service area, with a particular focus on immigrant groups and communities. This position will also provide some case management to individual clients with SNAP/food insecurity issues, within in the 48 Middle and East Tennessee counties served by Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LAS).

This position is funded by one or more grants. Personnel must adhere to goals and outcomes detailed in the grant contract. The position is funded for the duration of the grant and is set to end in June of 2021.

Job Responsibilities

SNAP Advocacy

  • Establish relationships with community organizations to create a referral system and conduct in-person, video, or telephone intakes with clients of the organizations.
  • Assist in grant administration and reporting
  • Network and build sustaining relationships with local, regional, and national anti-hunger advocacy organizations and service providers.
  • Provide outreach and education about SNAP eligibility, program requirements, and program changes to individuals, groups, and organizations in LAS’s service area, with a particular focus on immigrant groups and communities.
  • Work with the news media, prepare and distribute brochures and other community education materials.
  • Assist potentially eligible persons to obtain food stamp applications and pre-screen potentially eligible individuals and families.

 

Case Management

  • Conduct intake interviews and screen applicants for conflicts of interest, legal problems, and eligibility.
  • Gather all case-related information and complete internal documents.
  • Respond to inquiries for assistance by phone and in writing.
  • Advise clients about Legal Aid Society’s assistance process and timelines.
  • Schedule in-person appointments and assist with the management of attorneys’ calendars of events.
  • Review documents and report to attorneys.
  • Draft correspondences and pleadings.
  • Assist lawyers with interviewing clients, filing court documents, and computer-assisted legal and factual research on relevant laws, regulations, and legal articles using on-line services such as Westlaw and Accurint, in addition to other case handling and case management tasks.
  • Provide case management assistance for clients with SNAP cases pending or who are experiencing hunger or food insecurity. Provide holistic needs assessment and advocacy to better meet their nutritional needs.
  • Provide assistance when needed in other locations across Legal Aid Society’s 48-county service area.
  • Compliance with program policies and regulations of the Legal Services Corporation and other funders.
  • Compliance with all applicable organizational, professional, and legal requirements for confidentiality.
  • Other duties as needed in the office and as requested by Executive Director, Managing Attorney, or supervisor.

Qualifications

Ideal Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience with demonstrated transferable skills.

  • Experience in adult education, community organizing and/or in working with low-income people preferred.
  • Previous employment or volunteer work with a law office, court, social service agency, or other related setting.
  • Ability to relate to the needs of people of diverse backgrounds.
  • Commitment to providing high quality advocacy on behalf of low-income individuals, families, and communities.
  • Must be able to learn and explain state and federal regulations governing SNAP.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills, including in client interviews and helping persons in crisis.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Work as a member of a team and independently including willingness to help others and share knowledge, information, contacts, and experience.
  • Address issues in a timely manner.
  • Use a high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
  • Handle and prioritize multiple, competing demands.
  • Basic proficiency in Windows and Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel software.
  • Driver’s license and access to transportation.

 

Additional Information

Benefits

Salary: Dependent on experience.  Comprehensive benefits package.

How to Apply

Legal Aid Society has thirty-seven attorneys in eight offices in Middle and East Tennessee.  Its attorneys provide low-income people expert legal assistance at all levels of state and federal court.  Its staff includes national authorities in the fields of domestic violence, housing, consumer law, federal income taxation, health advocacy, nonprofit group representation, social security and special education.  For more information about LAS, visit www.las.org.

Applications must include a cover letter, resume and three references (with phone numbers).  No phone calls, please. Send by mail or e-mail (in Word or PDF format) to:

Hiring Manager

Re: SNAP Community Outreach Advocate Position

Legal Aid Society

1321 Murfreesboro Rd, Suite 400

Nashville, TN 37217

e-mail: HR@las.org

Apply as soon as possible. Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

3/2/2020

Details

  • Date Posted: March 12, 2020
  • Type: Full-Time
  • Job Function: Legal
  • Service Area: Children / Youth