Basic Needs Peer Navigator

Requisition IDreq27678 Working TitleBasic Needs Peer Navigator Pay$14.00 Hourly CampusMain - Albuquerque, NM DepartmentDean of Students (670A) Employment TypeStudent Employment Student TypeStudent Employment StatusNon-Exempt Background Check RequiredNo For Best Consideration Date12/1/2023 Position Summary

**We are accepting applications for this position from all students regardless of work study award**

 

Would you like to be part of a statewide effort to address food and other Basic Needs insecurity experienced by college and university students? Are you looking for an on-campus job that accommodates your class schedule? The University of New Mexico Dean of Students Office is seeking a self-motivated, friendly, reliable, and detail-oriented individual to assist in our efforts to identify and address Basic Needs of your peer students. The current Basic Needs Specialist in the Lobo Food Pantry will be part of a cross disciplinary team that will provide training, support and guidance as the collaborative and dynamic team that is passionate about ending student hunger and its root causes on campus. Within this position, students will be paid to achieve a Certificate for having completed a six-hour non-synchronous training program on Social Determinants of Health. Then, working with skilled social workers, community health workers, Health Extension Resource Officers from Health Science and with support of Honors faculty, as well as medical and legal providers, the Basic Needs Peer Navigators will work with their peers on campus to learn about the causes of their Basic Needs insecurity on the ground, as well as resources and services that can help address some of those needs. At times, Peer Navigators will also help to work in the food pantry during regular open hours, to assist professional staff in campus food donation collection, assist with bi-weekly food donation truck deliveries from Roadrunner Food Bank and connect with students in the pantry who may need assistance and resources to address their Basic Needs.

 

Student staff can expect to work up to 20 hours per week. The selection and training are anticipated to begin during Spring 2024.

 

Duties and Responsibilities   

      

Peer Navigators will engage in the Social Determinants of Health Curriculum, other trainings and supervision meetings, both online and in person, to learn to identify and address the diverse population of students who are facing Basic Needs insecurity. Training will include:

 

• The basic definitions and importance of addressing Social Determinants of Health
• Techniques for approaching difficult subjects with peers among the diverse population of students who could be more successful with supportive resources,
• Availability of support services both on and off UNM main campus, including SNAP, WIC, Medicaid and other public benefits,
• The importance of and the details of how to maintain confidentiality surrounding student records and other confidences of students.

Peer Navigators will work at the food pantry, and other campus locations, to identify students who may have Basic Needs insecurity and start to refer and connect students with the resources that they seek. The team of supervisors and supports will include social workers, community health workers, as well as medical and legal providers.  Peer navigators will meet weekly with a supervisory team and have access to supervisors and supports on a regular basis.

 

Periodic Tasks

From time to time Peer navigators will assist in the food pantry. Tasks may include:

 

• Unloading and inspecting food deliveries from Roadrunner Food Bank,
• Collecting donations from campus and community donors
• Replenishing inventory from storage
• Supporting program data collection and data entry tasks
• Relay changes in visitation, service requests, and feedback from the campus community
• Participate in Zoom meetings with schools participating in similar programs state-wide
• Misc. job-related duties as assigned.

 

Basic Needs Peer Navigators Always...

• Work with a diverse population in a friendly and supportive manner
• Treat students, staff, and donors with respect and dignity
• Understand stigma and seek to create a safe and welcoming space for those in need
• And, follow food safety standards when performing tasks in the food pantry

Minimum Qualifications Preferred Qualifications

You will be great for this position if you have:

• An interest in being part of an effort to address the Basic Needs of your peer college and university students
• Sensitivity and an understanding demeanor
• Excellent communication skills
• A collaborative and approachable interpersonal manner 
• The ability to follow specific instructions and standard operating procedures 
• The ability to focus and maintain composure under pressure.  

Application Instructions

Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Please include a current resume with your application. A cover letter is STRONGLY recommended and should directly address the preferred qualifications through relevant examples. Please include your course schedule (as applicable).

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.