Child Nutrition Program Specialist chez Northern Illinois Food Bank

Who We Are:
Are you ready to join a team where your talent creates lasting change? At Northern Illinois Food Bank, every day is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our Neighbors, so that everyone in Northern Illinois has the food they need to thrive! Together we are a dedicated and innovative team committed to ending hunger in Northern Illinois. We embrace diverse perspectives, collaboration, and continuous learning, we celebrate successes, learn from challenges, and foster a culture of growth, optimism, and teamwork.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
Northern Illinois Food Bank will embrace opportunities to stand in solidarity with our community and center the voices of those most impacted by systematic injustices. We affirm our commitment to anti-racism, to gender equity, to allyship, and to fairness as we work towards a hunger-free future and to create a better and more just world.  

The Opportunity:

The Northern Illinois Food Bank seeks an extraordinarily motivated candidate to join our team as a Child Nutrition Program Specialist. This role supports the Food Bank’s Child Nutrition Programs (SFSP & CACFP) by developing and assisting partner sites, ensuring compliance with program regulations, and providing training and technical support. The Specialist plays a key role in advocating for at-risk children, expanding access to nutritious food, and connecting families to essential resources such as nutrition education and SNAP outreach.

This Full-Time position is based out of our West Suburban Center (Geneva) location. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work directly with a case load of 30-40 federal program partner locations on a regular basis.
• Monitor compliance at BackPack Program partner locations during the school year. Assist with collection of reporting data and surveys.
• Visit partner sites during food distribution and service operation to ensure their compliance with federal program regulations and complete required visit documentation.
• Communicate findings of site visits to Program Manager and if directed, discuss the findings from a site visit with the site director and conduct follow-up site visits.
• Maintain accurate program files, site records, and visit documentation.
• Conduct outreach activities to identify and develop potential new sites to partner with Northern Illinois Food Bank.
• Conduct on-site training and technical assistance sessions for partner site staff.
• Identify opportunities for incorporation of the Food Bank nutrition education program, BackPack, and SNAP Outreach. Assist with the delivery of appropriate services.
• Assist in logistical tasks related to site training sessions, site visit schedules, meals delivery, and provide current information to food service vendors.
• Attend and participate in program training sessions provided by Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), USDA, and Feeding America.
• Perform data entry as it relates to daily meal count information for case load, program invoicing, and site information into state database.
• Track site partner data and meals distributed.
• Participate in developing, conducting, and interpreting a site satisfaction survey.
• Maintain databases of SFSP and CACFP information and file documentation.
• Engender a positive relationship with all community and agency partners to ensure maximum utilization and involvement of NIFB.
• Assist with implementation of Food Bank programs such as the Meals on the Move and Summer Family Markets.
• Perform other related duties and/or responsibilities as assigned or required.

Who You Are: 
You’re driven, compassionate, and excited to bring your unique skills to a purpose-driven organization. You have a strong commitment to our mission and: 

• Four-year degree in social services or related area or equivalent experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.
• Strong customer focus.
• Detail oriented.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-starter and ability to work independently.
• Commitment to understanding and supporting the Food Bank’s mission; Shows compassion and an appreciation for hunger issues.
• Proficient with various computer programs including—Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.
• Familiarity with federal child nutrition programs

 Why Join Us: 

• Make a Difference: Every role at Northern Illinois Food Bank directly impacts the lives of those we serve. 
• Flexible Work Environment: We value work-life balance and support flexible work models.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy medical, dental, vision, retirement plans, paid time off, and more. The starting pay range for this position is $37,315.20 - $48,592/annually, based on skills and experience.
• Growth Opportunities: Invest in your career with professional development, career mapping, and leadership training.
• Inclusive Culture: Join a diverse, collaborative team that values equity and belonging.

How to Apply: 

Are you ready to make a difference? Apply online at https://solvehungertoday.org/about/join-our-team/.  Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter that highlights your passion for our mission and your relevant skills.

Northern Illinois Food Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Our goal is to attract, develop, retain, and promote a talented diverse workforce where all employees feel a sense of belonging and contribute to a culture that values differences, ideas, and experiences. We intentionally seek out diverse perspectives and skills on our teams, knowing that it makes us stronger as an organization and better equipped to serve our neighbors in need. We encourage individuals from historically under-represented communities and individuals with lived experience of hunger to apply.