Student Care and Advocacy Specialist (Temporary Part-Time)

Tennessee Board of Regents; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Pellissippi State Community College is seeking a Care and Advocacy Specialist to support the operations and outreach of the Student Care and Advocacy Office, focusing on the Pellissippi Pantry. You will assist with inventory management, food distribution, volunteer coordination, and campus engagement to address food insecurity among students.

The role includes non-clinical case management, data tracking, reporting, and collaboration with campus and community partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Public Health, Nutrition, Nonprofit Management, Community Development, Psychology, or related field.
• Proficient in computer skills including Microsoft Suite.
• Ability to use a basic calculator, food scale and refrigerator thermometer.
• Strong Interpersonal skills: including: communication skills, time management skills and ability to prioritize.
• Be able to obtain & maintain a food handler certification.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a valid TN drivers’ license & good driving record.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for the day-to-day operations of the Pellissippi Pantry.
• Help coordinate the receiving and distribution process across all five campuses.
• Assist with the campus community communication plan for the Pantry (e.g., marketing of the Pantry to the campus community via emails, signage, and social media).
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date Pantry inventory at all existing walk-in locations.
• Assist shoppers with visits and tracking their orders.
• Help oversee the system for receiving, weighing, and tracking donations.
• Pack order, stock shelves, and rotate food items as needed.
• Assist with recruiting and training student employees working in the Pellissippi Pantry.
• Coordinate opportunities for both campus and community volunteers to work in the Pantry.
• Identify, establish, build, and maintain relationships with individuals and organizations on campus and in the community who support the Pellissippi Pantry through donations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of PantrySoft by engaging with the platform’s help center and attending training on new updates and features.
• Help with the collection and reporting of data related to the Pellissippi Pantry for institutional reporting, grant deliverables, and future funding opportunities.
• Obtain and maintain a food handler certification through an approved provider.
• Assist with coordinating the annual food drive.
• Work collaboratively with the Hardin Valley Garden staff to ensure that fresh produce is made available and included in the Pantry.
• Develop and implement outreach events aimed at increasing awareness of food insecurity among college students and the Pellissippi Pantry (e.g., tabling, classroom presentations, and educational activities).
• Provide non-clinical case management to a caseload of students as part of a framework designed to assess, advocate and link students to internal and external resources
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Prioritization

Communication skills

Food handler certification ability

TN driver’s license

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Calculator

Food scale

Refrigerator thermometer

Job description

Title: Care and Advocacy Specialist

Department: Student Care and Advocacy

Campus: Hardin Valley (with frequent travel to other campuses)

Closing Date: Open until filled

Type of Appointment: Temporary Part-Time

Pay Rate: $19.89 per hour

Additional Pay for PSCC Students: *If you are a PSCC Student and eligible for the Student Employment Program, you will be paid on experience and the rates are $14.00 (no experience), $15.00 (6 months experience) and $16.00 (9 months experience)*

Work Hours: 25 per week

Position Summary

The overall purpose of this position is to support the operations and outreach efforts of Student Care and Advocacy, with a primary focus on the Pellissippi Pantry. This role assists with inventory management, food distribution, volunteer coordination, and campus engagement initiatives aimed at addressing food insecurity. In addition, the position provides non-clinical case management support by helping assess student needs and connecting them to campus and community resources. The Specialist contributes to data tracking, reporting, and relationship-building efforts that strengthen pantry operations and expand awareness of basic needs services across the community.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide support for the day-to-day operations of the Pellissippi Pantry
• Help coordinate the receiving and distribution process across all five campuses
• Assist with the campus community communication plan for the Pantry (e.g., marketing of the Pantry to the campus community via emails, signage, and social media.)
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date Pantry inventory at all existing walk-in locations
• Assist shoppers with visits and tracking their orders
• Help oversee the system for receiving, weighing, and tracking donations
• Pack order, stock shelves, and rotate food items as needed
• Assist with recruiting and training student employees working in the Pellissippi Pantry
• Coordinate opportunities for both campus and community volunteers to work in the Pantry
• Identify, establish, build, and maintain relationships with individuals and organizations on campus and in the community who support the Pellissippi Pantry through donations
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of PantrySoft by engaging with the platform’s help center and attending training on new updates and features
• Help with the collection and reporting of data related to the Pellissippi Pantry for institutional reporting, grant deliverables, and future funding opportunities
• Obtain and maintain a food handler certification through an approved provider
• Assist with coordinating the annual food drive
• Work collaboratively with the Hardin Valley Garden staff to ensure that fresh produce is made available and included in the Pantry
• Develop and implement outreach events aimed at increasing awareness of food insecurity among college students and the Pellissippi Pantry (e.g., tabling, classroom presentations, and educational activities)
• Provide non-clinical case management to a caseload of students as part of a framework designed to assess, advocate and link students to internal and external resources
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Public Health, Nutrition, Nonprofit Management, Community Development, Psychology, or related field
• Proficient in computer skills including Microsoft Suite
• Ability to use a basic calculator, food scale and refrigerator thermometer
• Strong Interpersonal skills: including: communication skills, time management skills and ability to prioritize
• Be able to obtain & maintain a food handler certification
• Be able to obtain and maintain a valid TN drivers’ license & good driving record

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to assess student needs and connect individuals to appropriate resources
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport
• Ability to manage multiple cases and maintain accurate documentation
• Understanding of issues impacting college students (e.g., food insecurity, housing instability)
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations
• Basic knowledge of community resources and support services
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment
• Proficiency with basic computer systems and data entry

Note: The College reserves the right to assign every employee work that fulfills the strategic priorities and mission of the College

Pellissippi State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, disability, age (40+), status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations and by Tennessee Board of Regents policies concerning all employment and education programs and activities. View the nondiscrimination policy. For questions or concerns, please contact George Underwood at [e-mail] or 865-539-7354.

Pellissippi State Community College participates in the E-Verify program, a free, web-based system that electronically confirms the identity and employment eligibility of new hires. By using E-Verify, we ensure compliance with federal employment eligibility verification requirements and help maintain a legal workforce.

For more information, visit the official E-Verify website Home | E-Verify

If you have any problems or questions please contact Pellissippi State Community College’s Human Resource Office at 865-694-6607 or by email at [e-mail].