CalFresh Outreach Advocate- Basic Needs Office

CalFresh Outreach Student Advocate – Office of Basic Needs 

Location: Laurel Hall/ remote work hybrid 
Compensation: $16.50 per hour 
Classification: Student Assistant I 
Schedule: up to 12 hours per week; 8 hours per week during campus breaks 
Work schedule will be determined with the supervisor around class schedule to ensure coverage. Some evenings and weekends may be required 

The Basic Needs office at CSUN utilizes a holistic, student-centered approach in providing basic needs support and minimizing these barriers towards academic success. We are dedicated to empowering students to persist and thrive in their educational journey and realize their goal of graduation. We do this by providing advocacy, guidance, and connection to resources that facilitate food and housing stability. We are equally committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment within the CSUN community through outreach, education, and innovative partnerships with campus colleagues that contribute to a sense of well-being and belonging. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

Under immediate supervision from the Food Programs Care Coordinator with assistance from an upper-level student coordinator, a CalFresh Outreach Student Advocate delivers excellent customer service as the first interaction with students seeking application assistance for CalFresh Food benefits.  

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBLITIES 

Program Implementation: 

Familiarity with CalFresh Food eligibility requirements and programmatic nuances for students. 

Provide direct CalFresh application assistance with qualifying individuals or household representatives seeking to improve food security virtually and in-person. 

Assist applicants with overcoming three hurdles to receiving benefits: the application, the interview, and providing verifications. 

Assist in building and sustaining community partnerships in alignment with program goals and objectives. 

Maintain consistent and constant communication and correspondence with partnering groups and community organizations. 

Assist with promotion of CFO as opportunities arise. 

Other related duties as assigned. 

Services: 

Answer questions, provide detailed explanations of the CFO program, CalFresh benefits, pre-screening, and application. 

Maintain client confidentiality. 

Assist in completion of drop-in hours at campus resource centers. 

Understand and explain misconceptions, fears, and myths about CalFresh participation. 

Assist with client case management each month and complete follow-ups regarding completion, pending documents, interview appointment, and case outcome. 

Assist with identifying cases that may need referral to the county/ local district contact. 

Assist with planning and implementation of CFO goals and objectives for the year. 

Maintain a safe and welcoming atmosphere for clients.  

Maintain client files in accordance with confidentiality standards. 

SKILLS DESIRED 

Great customer service; communicates effectively and confidently in a clear, kind, firm manner optimized for addressing sensitive topics. 

Desire to work with students individually and in group settings, utilizing sophisticated interpersonal communication skills. 

Desire to build leadership and presentation skills, become involved on campus, and help fellow students. 

Relatable and approachable. 

Flexible, adaptable, open to changing and learning, willingness to adjust when necessary for work in a multi-faceted, diverse, and evolving team environment. 

Takes direction, well-organized, handles multiple ongoing tasks at once. 

Detail oriented and attentive to minutiae. 

Capable of providing insight and suggestions on how best to reach the student population. 

Familiarity with Microsoft Office & Google suite products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. 

Familiarity with technology as it relates to Personal Computer, smart devices, and Zoom virtual meeting software. 

Capable of clearly expressing ideas and directions verbally and in writing. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

General: 

Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher  

*maintained throughout entire time of service  

Commitment of at least once academic year. 

Demonstrable knowledge of the following: 

Google and Microsoft Office suites of products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook. 

Technology as it relates to Personal Computer, smart devices, and Zoom virtual meeting software. 

Utility and functionality of basic office equipment (copy, fax, phone). 

How to clearly express ideas and directions verbally and in writing. 

Existing familiarity with resources on campus that can contribute to student success. 

How to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, student organizations, faculty, staff, administrators, and surrounding community. 

EXPECTATIONS 

Passion for volunteerism and working with the food insecure community. 

Ability to reach with arms and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. 

Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, or occasionally sit for extended periods. 

Willingness to work in both indoor and outdoor environments in possible inclement weather conditions. 

Willingness to work occasional weekends and evenings. 

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS 

Experience with nutrition, public health and/or sociology preferred. 

Experience working in a food pantry or similar operation preferred. 

Experience working in an office setting preferred. 

Experience working with volunteers and/or organizing community activities preferred. 

GENERAL INFORMATION 

Areas concerning eligibility, hours of work, the classification for student employees, and salary are in alignment with the University’s Office of Human Resources (HR) and the “Student Assistant Work-Study  

Salary Schedule.” More information can be accessed at any time online at: http://www.csun.edu/careers/student-assistant-compensation-plan. 

Classification: Student Assistant Level I 

Jobs assigned to Level I work under immediate supervision. This means that definite work objectives are set for the employee. The frequency of review by the supervisor depends on the difficulty and complexity of the task. Jobs assigned to this level usually require little to no previous experience, education, or specialized skill. 

Salary 

This position will start at $16.50 per hour. 

Hours of Work: 

Students are not to exceed 20 hours of work in an academic week. 

Per HR, the following information more fully explains the guidelines which must be adhered to as a student employee on campus: 

1. Generally, students shall be given a 15-minute break during a 4-hour shift, and at least a 30-minute break for lunch during a 5 to 6-hour shift. The 15-minute break is paid time; the 30-minute lunch is unpaid time. The 15-minute break cannot be accumulated for lunch and cannot alter the normal work schedule. 

2. During the Academic Semester (please see CSUN campus academic calendar), Student Assistants may work up to, but not in excess of 20 hours per week total in all positions. 

When the academic semester starts in the middle of a work week it is a “split” week. For example, when the beginning of the semester is on a Wednesday, the 1st two days of week are still in the "Break" time period can be full-time, while the remaining days of the week would be under the restriction to work half- time. 

One Example is: 

Monday = 8 hours 

Tuesday = 8 hours 

Wednesday = 4 hours 

Thursday = 4 hours 

Friday = 4 hours 

Total hours that can be worked in this “split” week scenario is 28 hours. 

The actual hours per day worked in that week can be in any combination resulting in the slightly higher than 20 hours per week cap. 

3. The CSU policy restricts student assistant work time. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service guidelines for student assistants to remain exempt from social security and Medicare deductions, limits their normal working hours to 20 during the school year. An exception is allowed during winter inter-session, spring break, and summer session, or if the hours exceed 20 for a short period of time and infrequently. The CSU policy states that it is permissible for student assistants to work up to 30 hours in a week when enrolled in classes, only under emergency or other unusual situations. Exceptions to this policy require approval of the Financial Manager (MPP Administrator) in each department or College. While the exception may be granted on an emergency basis, frequent use of the exception will result in Human Resources review and contact with the department and/or college.