Wesley Center Program Assistant bei Hamline

Founded in 1854, Hamline was the first university in Minnesota and among the first coeducational institutions in the nation. Hamline University provides a world-class education for undergraduate and graduate students. Our faculty, staff, and students cultivate an ethic of civic responsibility, social justice, and inclusive leadership and service.

Hamline University is an Equal Opportunity employer. Hamline University does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion; creed; sex; national origin; marital status; familial status; status with regard to public assistance; membership or activity in a local human rights commission; disability; age; protected veteran status; or any other status protected by applicable law in its education or employment programs or activities. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Founded in 1854, Hamline was the first university in Minnesota and among the first coeducational institutions in the nation. Hamline University provides a world-class education for undergraduate and graduate students. Our faculty, staff and students cultivate an ethic of civic responsibility, social justice and inclusive leadership and service.

Hamline University’s Wesley Center for Spirituality, Service and Social Justice connects the pursuit of the common good with growth of the whole person by cultivating belonging across differences, encouraging compassionate action, and creating opportunities for courageous reflection in its physical spaces, programming, resources, and initiatives. The Food Resource Center is an initiative of the Wesley Center at Hamline University and is centrally located on campus in 110 West Hall.

JOB SUMMARY

The Wesley Center Department Program Assistant is a full-time (40 hours/week) job that will span several programs within the Wesley Center: Basic Needs Program, McVay Youth Partnership, and Multi-Faith Alliance (MFA). .80 FTE will be split between the two biggest programs that this position: Basic Needs and the McVay Youth Partnership In the Basic Needs area, the Program Assistant works to increase low-income student’s academic performance and persistence to obtain their degree by enhancing their access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods. In the McVay Youth Partnership area, the Program Assistant assists with supervising McVay Youth Partnership programming ensuring the safety of all participants to allow for a welcoming, fun and positive experience where student staff, youth, and their families feel supported and cared for. In MFA, the Program Assistant works to support programming that encourages learning and friendship across religious (or non-religious) traditions.

This position will office out of the Hamline Food Resource Center and travel to McVay Youth Partnership sites within the Twin Cities Metro Area. As needed for department meetings and MFA, this position also includes work hours in our department spaces on campus (Main Office and the Gathering Place).

We seek a compassionate and organized individual who is highly committed to basic needs, youth development, and anti-poverty work, who exhibits an understanding of a diverse community and enjoys the collaborative environment of a small University. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Food Resource Center

• Coordinate day-to-day operations of the Food Resource Center including answering shopper, partner, and student worker questions and troubleshooting any issues that arise.
• Provide logistical support to 10 - 20  student workers, interns, and volunteers including making schedules, updating communications, and mentoring.
• Collaborate with the Basic Needs Program and Case Manager to hire, onboard and supervise student staff and interns.
• Complete weekly food ordering and manage deliveries a minimum of two days a week.
• Provide direct service in the Food Resource Center as needed, including staffing the front desk, putting away deliveries, cleaning, and any other tasks.
• Collaborate with on- and off-campus partners.
• Collaborate with the Basic Needs Program and Case Manager on FRC and Basic Needs on campus-wide events, including the Wesley Center Department end of year Awards and Recognition Dinner.
• Generate monthly and annual reports for internal and external use.
• Maintain FRC compliance records.
• Represent the FRC at outreach activities to help improve and expand services at the FRC.
• Meet with the Basic Needs Program and Case Manager weekly to go over programming needs for the week.

McVay Youth Partnership

• Supervision of McVay Youth Partnership student staff and youth on-site during programming.
• Supervise activities at church partner sites, including arriving before youth arrive, checking to ensure attendance monitoring is being implemented, serving as a point-of-contact for the church partners, providing any assistance that’s needed while on site including in a crisis, and making sure all is in order and students and youth are gone before leaving the site.
• Attend and supervise McVay Youth Partnership summer field trip activities with the McVay Youth Partnership Coordinator.
• Work with the McVay Youth Partnership Coordinator to begin to incorporate basic needs assistance to families of McVay youth and other collaborations with the Food Resource Center.
• Assist with communications between McVay student staff, church partners, youth and their families.
• Work with the McVay Youth Partnership Coordinator in planning and leading training for McVay Fellows, Associates, and van drivers.
• Meet with McVay Youth Partnership Coordinator weekly to go over programming needs for the week.
• Assist with planning and organizing McVay special events, including the Wesley Center Department end of year Awards and Recognition Dinner.
• Work in collaboration with the McVay Youth Partnership Coordinator to conduct outreach activities to connect with underserved and immigrant communities to create awareness about Hamline University McVay Youth Partnership opportunities.
• Assist with supervising and supporting McVay Fellows, Associates, and van drivers outside of programming - meeting with them for planning meetings, regular check-ins, goal setting.

Multi-Faith Alliance (MFA)

• Assist the University Chaplain with the implementation of the MFA Scholars program
• Occasional attendance and participation at MFA meetings and events
• Maintain the Presence page for MFA
• Write communications for the Wesley Center Department newsletter with updates about the program
• Update the Wesley Center Department Internal Calendar with all MFA related events (including the events of each student group within MFA)

Wesley Center Department Responsibilities

• Weekly staff meetings, staff retreats, student worker trainings, and annual awards events.
• Share in development of learning outcomes, assessment and evaluation.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Wesley Center Department alumni.

Student Affairs and Campus Responsibilities

• Participate in All-Staff, Diversity and Professional Development meetings.
• Participate in events such as Graduation, Honors Day (as available).

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• This position reports to the Basic Needs Program and Case Manager and receives indirect supervision from the McVay Youth Partnership Coordinator.

BUDGET MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is responsible for the following budget:  Hamline University Food Resource Center Gift Funds

Budget Range: $5,000-$10,000

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND KEY COMPETENCIES

• Basic understanding of poverty, food access, and/or basic needs work.
• Experience (personal or professional) and sensitivity working with people from diverse and intersectional backgrounds, including religious and cultural difference.
• Willingness and desire to continually learn about poverty and the intersection of poverty and other identities.  
• Outstanding ability to adapt to changing priorities and tasks.
• Demonstrated strong attention to detail.
• Excellent presentation, written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to work under stress and tight deadlines.
• Outstanding organizational and planning skills.
• Ability to support and work with middle and high school students.
• Understanding of student experience, higher education and mentoring.

MINIMUM EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/EXPECTATIONS

• Associate’s degree from an accredited university or college and 2 years work experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college.

PREFERRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/EXPECTATIONS

• Experience working or being in community with low-income populations.
• Basic understanding of poverty, food access, and basic needs work in higher education spaces.
• People with lived experience of poverty are highly encouraged to apply.  

• Working knowledge of Google Suite.
• Experience working with middle and high school students is preferred.
• Proficiency with one or more of the following languages: Spanish, Hmong, Karen, Arabic, Somali
• Experience with inter-religious programming/dialogue/peacebuilding 

REQUIRED LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION

• Valid Driver’s License and ability to earn van certification once hired (clean driving record required)

WORKING CONDITIONS / EQUIPMENT

• Must be able to work on a computer for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds.
• Local travel required to McVay Youth Partnership sites.
• Evening availability required.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

All questions marked ‘Required’ need to be answered in order to submit the application. It is important that your application show all of the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. If rejected, you must reapply for the position in order to be considered. A resume or curriculum vitae, a cover letter outlining your qualifications for and interest in the position, contact information for 3 current, professional references, as well as copies of transcripts (if required) must be uploaded with each application.