May 16, 2011

Job Opening: VP Agency Relations & Programs

Author: Maria Diestro

Job Opening: VP Agency Relations & Programs

Requirements for the application:
- No phone calls
- All letters, resumes to be fax or email to: vmarshall@foodbankcentralflorida.org
- Fax # 407-295-5299
- Cover letter and resume
- Deadline to submit application: 5/27/11

Job Description: Provides leadership, strategic direction and external relationship development for the areas of Agency Relations and Programs. Oversees and directs the activities that support and strengthen relationships with our partner agencies. Includes oversight of recruiting new agency partners and/or collaborators. This position directs the management of these programs: Kids Cafés, High Five, Summer Feeding, Benefits Connection, Nutrition and ADEPT. Read More …

January 5, 2011

Job opening: Director of Agency Relations & Programs

Author: Maria Diestro

Position Title: Director of Agency Relations and Programs
Deadline to submit resume: Friday, January 7, 2011
Fax resume to: 407-295-5299
Position Summary: Oversee and direct the activities that support and strengthen relationships with our partner agencies. Includes oversight of recruiting new agency partners and/or collaborators. THis position directs the management of these programs: Benefits Connection food stamp outreach, Kids Cafe, Hi-Five, ADEPT training, Summer Food Service Program, Nutrition.

 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

-Facilitate communication, integration and understanding of all programs and staff, creating a mission of collaboration and a higher level of service to our partner agencies and the community.
-Oversee policies and procedures to support our partner agencies.
-Oversee all training for internal and external audiences through the ADEPT program.
-Demonstrate clear understanding of partner agencies as customers by listening and responding to their needs.
-As part of the senior management team, develop a strategic plan for each program within your scope. Ensure goals within each program are met.
-Identify, develop and champion new programs and distribution opportunities to further the mission of fighting hunger in Central Florida.
-Monitor advocacy efforts to ensure agencies have pertinent information at their disposal regarding legislation and community actions that directly impact them.
-Ensure there are a sufficient number of partner agencies to provide the required food assistance to meet minimum needs in SHFOCFL service area.
-Oversee agency and program related services performed by our branches.
-Ensure all partner agencies comply with Feeding America, SHFBCFL, and other relevant sanctioning body’s operating guidelines, regulations and rules.
-Recommend and direct necessary hunger related research.
-Represent SHFBCFL at Feeding America conferences, relevant community hunger events and social service groups.
-Develop and manage a $1 million+ budget for your departments.
-Work with IT department to troubleshoot technology challenges with programs as they arise.
-Resource for special projects, as required.

 Job Specifications

-Four year degree.
-Minimum five years program management experience.
-Commitment to understanding and supporting SHFB’s mission; shows compassion and an appreciation for hunger issues.
-Experience in developing programs/project management
-Proven success in managing and motivating employees.
-Bi-lingual is a plus.
-Successfully pass pre-employment drug test screening, Level II Background Check and driving record check.
-Excellent organization skills.
-Computer and web application proficiency (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)
-Detail oriented. 

Competencies
Leadership Ability
Use leadership skills to guide and help people become more self-sufficient, find their own solutions, and commit to their own decisions. Create high levels of trust and empathy with others by creating a warm climate in which people feel they can take reasonable risks in their work and feel appreciated for their efforts and results.

Coaching Ability
Use a variety of ways and means to help people become more critical of their performance so that they can set their own targets for improvement. Be firm and fair and keep the focus on solutions.

Communication
Highly conscious of the need to create an open and positive climate in which they can listen and gather feedback. An approachable individual who uses a range of communication methods to ensure that honest information flows freely in both directions.

Problem Solving 
Uses different ways of looking at problems or issues and uses a range of different tools of analysis. Generate several possible solutions and use evidence to evaluate the best one to provide the best possible course for future action.

Results Focus
Quickly distinguish between high value and low value effort and steer choices towards tangible results or outcomes that have real value to the organization even if it takes a little time and energy.

Strategizing Ability
Effectively evaluate courses of action and quickly engage in a range of ways to communicate and describe these paths efficiently. Identify milestones and measures of progress and be able to assess the effort needed to succeed.

Quality Focus
Always performs in a professional manner providing results that are on target. Quality vs. Quantity.

Creativity/Innovation
Continually look outside the envelope to provide more food/benefits to our customers in a cost effective manner which help us to accomplish our mission.                     

Working Conditions:

Office environment and travel

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills of personnel so classified.

July 16, 2010

A Better Way to Identify Hungry Children

Author: Brady Koch

A teacher looking at a classroom full of children on the first day of school might have a difficult time determining who would be in need of food assistance. The free and reduced school breakfast and lunch program, our Hi-Five weekend program, and our Kids Cafe afterschool program all help get food to these children.

There are common warning signs to look for like lethargy, inability to concentrate, and aggression, but it can still be challenging to identify the need.

A new study published this month in the journal Pediatrics, by University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers examined whether the time-consuming, 18-question Household Food Security Survey provided by the federal government could be shortened and still be effective in identifying hungry children.

They found that there were two questions you could ask that would be as effective as the entire 18 question survey.

Simple Two-Question Survey Can Better Identify Hungry Children

This is a great start to brainstorming exercises we’ve started internally to find ways to enhance our childhood programs.

What do you think of the findings of this study?

May 26, 2010

Volunteer Day

Author: Sasha Hausman

One of the many things I love about working at Second Harvest is that every employee is given a day to volunteer at one of our amazing partner agencies. A couple weeks ago Maria Diestro and I had the pleasure of visiting the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida to take a tour, learn more about the organization, and of course to help out!

Marty Vevera, the Coalition’s Director of Volunteer Services, showed us around the different facilities and told us more about who they serve and how they do it. We learned that the folks at the Coalition are not only providing a safe place to sleep at night for Central Florida’s homeless … but they also provide  job training, counseling, and learning skills for the little ones. Of course they are also supplying hot meals that either come from gracious volunteer groups, or straight from Second Harvest Food Bank’s distribution center!

After the great tour, Maria and I were put to work … if you could call it that. We had the pleasure of playing with the most adorable children at the Coalition’s Day Care. These children live at the Coalition while Mom or Dad are either busy learning new vocational skills, or working. Maria took the toddlers out to the playground and had a great time playing gas station attendant to all the kids in their play cars. While she was running around outside, I was hanging out with a beautiful 3 month old baby who was just born at the Coalition.

I couldn’t believe how many kids live at the Coalition. When you think about who is homeless, I definitely would not have pictured a sweet and innocent 3 month old baby girl. The average child at the Coalition is 6 years old. It is important to know that these children and their families receive help from the Coalition each and every day. I am proud and honored to say that Second Harvest Food Bank is able to provide food and other resources so the Coalition can spend money on other things like beds, diapers, and new toys for that awesome day care!

Maria and I also finished putting the last minute touches on their successful golf fundraiser and called it a day. Believe me … we were tired! But so happy that we were able to see the good work the Coalition is doing!

Want to know more ways you can help not only the Coalition, but all of our 600 partner agencies? Click here to learn more about ways to get involved.

pictures:

 
Talk to you soon!

Sasha Hausman
Events Specialist