Resource Coordinator
Full Time position, $15 - $18 per hour starting pay based on experience
SUMMARY
The Resource Coordinator helps ensure NERA's neighbors have access to the food, programs, and community resources they need. This position oversees lobby operations, provides individualized guidance and referrals, manages food and supply purchasing within established budgets, and coordinates with staff and community partners to keep resources available and programs operating effectively.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Operations:
- Oversee lobby operations during public service hours, helping ensure neighbors receive welcoming, respectful, and efficient service.
- Provide individualized guidance and referrals to neighbors who need additional assistance accessing NERA or community resources.
- Maintain current knowledge of NERA programs, eligibility requirements, and community resources; keep referral materials current and communicate important changes to staff and volunteers.
- Provide backup support for client intake and check-in procedures when volunteer or staff coverage is insufficient.
- Ensure the lobby and public restrooms are prepared for public use during service hours.
- Ensure grant-funded programs and services under this position's responsibility are operated in accordance with grant requirements.
- Identify emerging needs among NERA's neighbors and recommend improvements to client services, resource navigation, and available programs.
- Support other operational areas during unusual circumstances or staffing shortages as needed.
Administration:
- Develop and submit regular food orders through the Regional Food Bank and other approved vendors.
- Purchase food and supplies for the Grocery Center, Day Bag/Emergency Bag program, hygiene and laundry assistance, cleaning and home-safety products, and other approved programs.
- Manage purchasing within established budgets, approved product categories, and delegated spending authority, obtaining Executive Director approval when required.
- Monitor program and purchasing budgets to ensure responsible stewardship and continued availability of essential resources.
- Ensure purchases comply with applicable grant requirements and provide receipts, invoices, and expenditure information to the Community Engagement Coordinator for documentation and tracking.
- Work closely with the Distribution Coordinator to identify purchasing needs and the Warehouse Coordinator to consider storage capacity and incoming deliveries.
- Keep appropriate staff informed about upcoming orders, expected shipments, product availability, and significant shortages or changes.
- Continually evaluate purchasing and resource-management systems and recommend improvements in efficiency and stewardship.
Community Outreach:
- Attend local meetings, coalitions, and other community gatherings that provide information about services available to individuals and families in need.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with nonprofits, government agencies, healthcare providers, transportation providers, and other community organizations.
- Serve as a knowledgeable point of contact between NERA and organizations providing resources to neighbors.
- Identify new or changing community resources and communicate relevant information to NERA staff.
- Help connect neighbors with appropriate community organizations when their needs extend beyond NERA's programs.
- Represent NERA professionally and accurately when participating in community-resource meetings and collaborative efforts.
As appropriate, the Director of Operations will also perform other duties as assigned by the Director.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience in nonprofit services, food assistance, purchasing, community-resource navigation, customer service, or a related field is preferred. The Resource Coordinator must possess strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to manage purchasing, budgets, client needs, and multiple priorities simultaneously. The position requires sound judgment, attention to detail, basic computer literacy, and comfort working with spreadsheets, online ordering systems, and Google Workspace applications. The successful candidate must be comfortable working directly with individuals experiencing difficult circumstances and able to communicate policies, resources, and options clearly and respectfully. Experience developing community partnerships or working with community-resource networks is desirable.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Valid driver’s license required. ForkLift training provided.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Physical demands include only those reasonable in a normal retail store, office and warehouse environment with the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Demonstrates integrity, enthusiasm, flexibility, sound judgment, and a strong work ethic.
- Approachable, service-oriented, and enjoys helping people solve problems.
- Comfortable building relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Shows initiative and responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
- Confident in making decisions within established authority.
- Organized and able to adapt to changing needs and priorities.
- Maintains confidentiality and professionalism.
- Contributes positively to a collaborative work environment.
- Demonstrates a deep appreciation for and ability to articulate NERA's mission.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
The New Emergency Resource Agency, Inc (NERA) does not discriminate on the basis of race, political orientation, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, or mental or physical disability or any other status prohibited by applicable law in the United States.