Job Description
Job Description
JOB TITLE: Public Affairs Specialist
DEPARTMENT: Public Affairs
LED BY: Sophie Wallerstedt
FSLA STATUS: Exempt
HOURS: Full-Time; 40 hours/week
LOCATION: Hybrid and MN State Capitol
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Public Affairs Manager, the Public Affairs Specialist will oversee the organization’s SNAP and nutrition-related advocacy efforts, including by supporting the development and implementation of a SNAP improvement roadmap for Minnesota.
Specifically, the Public Affairs Specialist will identify opportunities to strengthen SNAP and increase enrollment through both administrative and policy advocacy at the state and federal levels. To achieve this, the Public Affairs Specialist will be responsible for convening and communicating regularly with both current and prospective allied organizations and individuals as well as stakeholders within county, state, and federal government to help align efforts and build support for meaningful change over time.
Secondary focus will be “food as medicine” policy work. The Public Affairs Specialist will also support broader lobbying and advocacy efforts at the Minnesota State Capitol under the direction of the Public Affairs Manager as needed.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Collaborate closely with the Neighbor Services team and external partners to support the organization’s efforts to identify opportunities to improve SNAP and increase enrollment in Minnesota through both administrative changes and policy advocacy.
- Develop and/or deepen existing relationships with community-based organizations, emergency food programs, and other partners with expertise in SNAP outreach, enrollment, and/or SNAP rules and regulations to build grassroots advocacy capacity.
- Stay up to date on relevant research, policy proposals, regulations, and data related to SNAP and other nutrition programs in Minnesota.
- Create memos, reports, and/or presentations based on research and legal analysis to advise and educate internal staff, partner food banks and other anti-hunger organizations, policymakers, and the public on the impact of SNAP and recommended improvements.
- Represent Second Harvest Heartland in SNAP-related community collaboratives, meetings, work groups, and coalitions as needed.
- Work closely with the Neighbor Services team to identify opportunities to secure funding and/or expand food-as-medicine programming (currently operating under FOODRx), in partnership with insurers of public programs.
- Support the Public Affairs Manager during the state legislative session by attending and scheduling meetings, taking notes, tracking bills, and other duties as assigned.
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
- Demonstrate behavior consistent with SHH’s mission, vision, and values daily.
- Understand safety policies and actively promote safe practices in the workplace.
- Ability to build strong, constructive relationships with a diverse range of individual and organizational partners, where common goals can be discovered, jointly shared and owned for maximum impact.
- Strong commitment to equity; ability to work with individuals from different abilities, ethnicities, genders, races, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Demonstrate self-reflection on how their own identities, experiences, and biases will impact team culture, employee well-being, and the implementation of the organization’s strategic plan.
- Support and collaborate on organization-wide equity and diversity efforts.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
- A combination of education and experience generally attained through a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 3-4 years of experience in hunger, health, and/or nutrition advocacy; social work; public affairs; or a related field.
- Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, and enthusiasm, both individually and as part of a team in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and/or effectively manage complex projects.
- Experience navigating competing priorities and differing perspectives and building consensus that leads to win-win outcomes.
- An understanding of how productive coalitions function and how effective partnerships can help drive positive change.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate both in oral and written form.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is welcomed and valued.
- Familiarity with Office 365 and/or the ability to learn and utilize software programs
- Experience working within the nonprofit and/or public sectors, including policy advocacy
- Familiarity with state and/or federal government, laws, and regulations.
- Ability to communicate complex policy ideas in easily understood language
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Understanding of the legislative process in Minnesota
- A deep understanding of and/or personal or professional background in SNAP or other food, nutrition, or public health programs at the state and/or federal levels
- Previous experience working with county, state, and/or federal elected officials of both political parties
- Existing relationships within relevant state agencies, including DHS, MDH, and/or DCYF
- Understanding of Social Determinants of Health support programs and policies within Medicaid
Second Harvest Heartland is an EEO/AA Employer