Food Security Specialist

Hackensack Meridian Health; Edison (NJ); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Hackensack Meridian Health seeks a Food Security Specialist to advance social determinants through program strategy, data-driven execution, and stakeholder collaboration. The role focuses on launching programs, managing relationships, and driving measurable impact for communities served.

This is a grant-funded position emphasizing data dashboards, grant writing support, and cross-team collaboration with the SDOH Data Supervisor under the Food Security Manager. A Bachelor’s degree is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 2+ years in food security, or 5+ years in food security.
• Strong communication, public speaking, and customer service skills.
• Proficient with MS Office and Google Suite.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate a portfolio of food security programs aligning with the 'food as medicine' strategy and maximize programmatic efficiency.
• Assist in developing and implementing innovative program models and track outcomes.
• Cultivate and manage relationships with stakeholders, including team members, community partners, and funders.
• Contribute to grant writing, proposals, and expanding program reach and impact.
• Collaborate to develop dashboards and visualizations communicating program impact.

Skills

Public speaking

Customer service

Communication

Organizational skills

MS Office/Google Suite

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Job description

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better.

At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community.

Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

The Food Security Specialist plays a critical role in advancing Hackensack Meridian Health's (HMH) commitment to social determinants by supporting the strategy and execution of all food security programs network-wide, under the guidance of the Food Security Manager. This role is a data-driven and results-oriented incumbent who excels at launching programs, managing relationships, and driving measurable impacts on the lives of those we serve.

This is a grant funded position.

A day in the life of an Food Security Specialist at Hackensack Meridian Health includes

• Coordinates a portfolio of food security programs, ensuring alignment with HMH's `food as medicine' strategy and maximizing programmatic efficiency and utilization.
• Assists in the development and implementation of innovative program models, incorporating best practices and evidence-based interventions, and tracking program outcomes.
• Supports the Food Security Manager in cultivating and managing relationships with stakeholders, including HMH team members, community-based organizations, government agencies, and funding partners.
• Contributes to grant writing, proposal development, and effective relationship management, expanding the reach and impact of food security initiatives.
• Collaborates with the SDOH Data Supervisor to develop dashboards and visualizations, effectively communicating program impact and key metrics to internal and external stakeholders, with guidance from the Food Security Manager.
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
• Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Bachelor's degree plus 2 years of food security experience or 5 years or more of food security experience.
• Passionate and knowledgeable about food security issues in New Jersey.
• Strong communication, public speaking, and customer service skills.
• Conscientious self-starter with good organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills that include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms.

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred

• Pursuing a Masters in Public Health (MPH), Masters in Health Administration (MHA), or related field.
• Multilingual, Spanish.
• Desiring to learn more about hospital healthcare.

Licenses and Certifications Required

• Valid Driver's License from a USA state.

Minimum rate of $30.92 Hourly

HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package.

The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer. Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to

Labor Market Data Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness.

Experience Years of relevant work experience.

Education and Certifications Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training.

Skills Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies.

Geographic Location Cost of living and market rates for the specific location.

Internal Equity Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization.

Budget and Grant Funding Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered.

Some jobs may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts.

In addition to our compensation for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.