Coordinator for Student Basic Needs

The Mercy Center for Service, Spirituality and Justice at Gwynedd Mercy University is seeking an inaugural coordinator of student basic needs. This position will be responsible for daily operations of Catherine’s Cupboard, the free food and other basic needs resource for the University community. 

Primary responsibilities of this position:

• coordinate daily operations of Catherine’s Cupboard (CC), which includes a staffed food pantry, several self-serve pantries, and a growing number of support programs designed to offset the financial impacts of transportation, housing, campus dining, and other education-related expenses for students in need.
• provide a welcoming environment in the staffed pantry location
• track and maintain pantry inventory at all locations
• obtain new stock weekly as needed from established sources; research new sources as needed
• create and communicate weekly schedule of volunteers, student workers, and interns
• publicize widely the support services and locations of CC to the GMercyU community
• respond to student requests for information and assistance (via email and/or in person)
• support efforts to increase awareness within the GMercyU community about student basic needs insecurities
• attend department, division, and institution-wide meetings as appropriate

Additional responsibilities may include one or more the following:

• communicate with campus departments to cultivate support of student needs
• collaborate with representatives from the Resilient Student Network to facilitate students’ use of partner resources (SmartChoice grocery orders, affordable housing scholarships, emergency scholarships, etc.)
• connect students with local/state resources to support needs outside the scope of campus support programs (SNAP, affordable housing, transportation, child care, etc.)
• track and acknowledge in-kind donations
• assist with data collection and program assessment
• co-advise a student advisory committee 
• support preparation of grant applications to obtain program funding

The coordinator may also have opportunities to engage with other facets of Mercy Center operations related to service, spirituality, and social justice.

Required qualifications for this position:

• Previous experience providing excellent customer service
• Proficiency utilizing Microsoft Office suite
• The ability to work periodic evenings and weekends
• The position involves movement and relocation of food containers (bags and boxes) on a daily basis, occasionally weighing over 30 lbs.

Skills and/or attributes strongly desired in a candidate for this position:

• Previous experience with food pantry operations either as client or staff, or work experience at an institution of higher education
• Excellent interpersonal skills and knowledge of appropriate use of helping skills
• Familiarity with social media applications, particularly Instagram and Facebook
• Experience coordinating projects or acting in positions of leadership/supervision
• Demonstrated flexibility in a changing environment; able to provide examples of creative problem-solving in previous roles
• Academic coursework and/or work experience in social work, human services, counseling, ministry, or related fields

Work Schedule:

The schedule is primarily an in-person five-day work week. Special events or office hours may occur on evenings or weekends. When evening or weekend hours occur, weekday hours will be adjusted accordingly.