SNAP/Benefits Advocate

Jewish Family & Children's Service, Greater Boston; Waltham (MA); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Jewish Family & Children's Service (JF&CS) SNAP/Benefits Advocate helps families access SNAP and safety net resources in Eastern Massachusetts. You will provide SNAP application assistance, problem solving, advocacy, service coordination, and referrals to community resources, primarily by phone and email.

This full-time role is 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday with hybrid remote options. Most in-person work is in Waltham, with monthly meetings in Framingham, Newton, and Boston.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, preferably with additional related work experience.
• Experience in SNAP, public benefits (including TAFDC/EAEDC) or related field is a plus.
• Strong analytical ability to understand laws, regulations, and processes.
• High emotional intelligence to work with diverse individuals.
• Flexibility, creativity, and determination to face challenging client situations.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and comfortable using technology for records.

Responsibilities

• Phone intake with clients.
• Assess eligibility for public benefits.
• Assist with SNAP applications and maximize benefits.
• Advocate with DTA to overturn denials, terminations, or reductions.
• Coordinate referrals to community resources.
• Draft informational emails to program distribution list.
• Data entry and reporting information.
• Participate in ongoing job-related training and supervision.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Emotional intelligence

Flexibility

Creativity

Technology utilization

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Word

Outlook

Job description

Do you want to help families put food on the table? Would you excel in a role where you learn the ins and outs of an essential government resource program? Are you interested in being a leader and a point of connection for colleagues and other agencies, to help clients in need of food? If your answer is YES to any of these questions, we'd love to speak to you about our SNAP and Benefits Advocacy program, our supportive work environment, and the positive impact this role has for hundreds of families across Eastern Massachusetts!

The SNAP/Benefits Advocate works with a diverse, low-income population, providing SNAP application assistance, problem solving, advocacy, service coordination, and resource referrals. The person in this role will assist clients in accessing SNAP and the safety net resources for which they are eligible.

This full-time position occurs during regular working hours, approximately 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday, with flexibility for some hybrid remote work. Most in-person work takes place in our Waltham office. There will be monthly meetings with our partners in Framingham and Newton, monthly anti-hunger meetings in Boston, and quarterly and annual meetings with DTA. Currently, these meetings are held over Zoom, but may shift back to in-person in the future. In addition to direct service work with clients, which is primarily by phone and email, we work with other organizations to advocate for positive changes in policies related to SNAP.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Phone intake with clients
• Assessments for eligibility for public benefits
• Directly helping with SNAP applications and maximizing benefits
• Problem solving and advocacy with DTA to overturn SNAP denials, terminations or reductions
• Consultations with colleagues and staff or team meetings
• Facilitating referrals to community resources
• Drafting informational emails to program distribution list
• Data entry and collecting information needed for reports
• Participation in ongoing job-related training and regular supervision

About JF&CS

For more than 150 years, Jewish Family & Children's Service has been helping individuals and families build a strong foundation for resilience and well-being. We intentionally serve and employ people of ALL faiths, backgrounds, cultures, and abilities.

We have a strong culture of professional development, work-life balance, and promotion from within.

JF&CS is an equal opportunity employer who serves and employs people of all cultures and faith traditions. Employment opportunities are available to all without regard for race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Knowledge, Experience, and Skills

• Bachelor's degree, preferably with additional related work experience
• Experience in SNAP, public benefits (including TAFDC and EAEDC), or other law related field a plus
• Strong analytical ability and capacity to understand laws, regulations and processes to problem-solve client issues
• High emotional intelligence to work effectively with diverse individuals from many backgrounds
• Flexibility, creativity and determination to face challenging client situations with hope and compassion
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office computer programs (Excel, Word, Outlook) and comfortable learning and using technology for record-keeping and communication in our electronic case record
• A valid driver's license and reliable means of transportation, required.