EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES TO THRIVE
Job Title: Immediate Assistance Specialist
Department: Family Development Services (FDS)
Reports to: Senior Center Program Manager
FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Revision Date: March 2025
Who is Good Samaritan?
Good Samaritan Community Services is a 501(c) 3 organization that serves communities that are being underserved by traditional community support. We provide a continuum of integrated services to more than 3,500 individuals from the age of 6 weeks to 93. We also serve more than 1,200 families via offices and locations in San Antonio, Brownsville, and other parts of South and West Texas.
Good Samaritan began as mission of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in 1939 and became an institution of the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas in 1951 under the leadership of Bishop Everett Jones. Since the inception of our ministry, we have focused on serving the health and education, and social and emotional equity needs of our neighbors.
Our mission to "actively serve as a catalyst for change, supporting youth, individuals, and families by providing excellent community services to overcome economic poverty,” is our core guiding value. We do this through a continuum of services designed to stabilize families, establish nurturing relationships, and foster self-sufficiency in those we serve through the programs and support we provide via our Family Services and Youth and Teen Departments.
Position Summary
The Immediate Assistance Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day provision of immediate assistance services by conducting initial eligibility determinations of individuals and families for public & family assistance programs. Services include emergency food assistance, crisis recognition and referrals, and access to basic hygiene and baby supplies. Work is performed independently in accordance with well-established guidelines and standards.
Education and Experience
- Associates degree or college credit hours required. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- One to two years of experience in eligibility determination and implementing multiple benefit program policies preferred.
- Current and valid driver’s license required
- Experience in recordkeeping and inventory is preferred.
- Bilingual in English/Spanish required.
Essential Duties & Functions
- Coordinate and deliver Immediate Assistance services, in accordance with the program’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
- Complete all training as required for overseeing the food pantry.
- Handle matters related to the administration of Immediate Assistance services, including intake and registration of walk-in clients.
- Verbally orient clients to agency services, rules, and expectations.
- Create and maintain accurate inventory records for all pantry items.
- Organize frozen, canned, and dry goods and maintain the cleanliness of the on-site food pantry refrigerators/freezers, and hygiene items/cabinets.
- Prepare bags of food for distribution to Immediate Assistance clients.
- Coordinate with the San Antonio Food Bank to ensure all food products are ordered and picked up in a timely manner.
- Assist with the loading and unloading of all items and food to appropriate locations as needed.
- Organize, maintain, and file Immediate Assistance Intake Forms and San Antonio Food Bank Applications to ensure contractual obligations and confidentiality of client data.
- Make in-house and/or community referrals as appropriate to address needs identified during the initial intake to address all client needs.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to the social, physical, and emotional needs of program participants.
- Help to recruit volunteers as assigned.
- Assist with all food distribution and commodity programs in the Senior Center and Agency as needed.
- Input required program data into appropriate data systems/client management software (ETO) and prepare and submit monthly agency reports as needed.
- Attend monthly meetings, submit timely reporting of data, and meet deadlines as required.
- Participate in outreach events.
- Complete other duties as assigned based on program and/or agency needs
Supervisory Responsibilities
None.
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment.
Physical Demands
Movement of documents and materials is required. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, one must be able to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, talk, hear, type, have close vision, color vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus with good hand-eye coordination, occasionally lift between 25-35 pounds, and/or operate a motor vehicle. These physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Expected Hours of Work
This is a part-time position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM and may require occasional long hours and weekend work. This is dependent upon the nature of the special action, project, or event that may arise, and the timeframe for completion.
Travel
Local travel is required.
Benefits and Compensation
The salary range is $16.00/hour. A competitive compensation package will be offered for this position based upon the successful candidate’s education, skills, and experience.
