Compliance Specialist

At Second Harvest Heartland, we believe our differences make us stronger. We draw strength from the unique experiences of each and every employee and our community. We aspire to foster an inclusive culture – in the way we interact with each other and in every area of our work. We commit to advancing equity to make Second Harvest Heartland a better place to work, to be a better partner and to inspire a community where equity is a driver to ultimately end hunger.

Join our Agency Partner team as a Compliance Specialist. This role supports the health and strength of the SHH Agency Partner hunger relief network, working with food shelves, produce distributions, CSFP sites and backpack and meal programs. The Compliance Specialist plays a key role in ongoing improvement in quality of SHH service and responsiveness to partners. This position is responsible for all aspects of compliance monitoring focused in the Minnesota counties of Benton, Big Stone, Kandiyohi, Mcleod, Meeker, Morrison, Stearns, Sherburne, Carver, Scott, Swift, Todd, Wright. This is a remote position.

Work Schedule: Remote, Full-Time, 40 hours / week, frequent travel required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Quality Service Management:

• Ensure that partner feedback is shared internally with appropriate Agency Relations Team members and immediate problem resolution occurs with partner agency.
• Identify and support system changes and sustainable solutions for increased quality of service SHH provides Agency Partners.

Agency Monitoring and Compliance:

• On board new agency partners reviewing all compliance regulations and expectations, follow up after 90 days ensure understanding.
• Meet all goals related to timely and accurate monitoring of Agency Partner compliance with Feeding America, 170(e)3, Food Safety, TEFAP, CSFP and all requirements outlined in the SHH Partner Agreement.
• Conduct on-site visits as needed in response to community or client complaints or unusual ordering activity of agencies.
• Conduct/Coordinate/schedule approximately 80 agency visits per year.
• Provide follow-up to ensure resolution of monitoring visit findings, offering added technical assistance as needed.
• Stay informed and serve as technical expert on all regulatory and compliance standards (e.g. government, Feeding America and SHH).
• Track and communicate to Compliance Lead and Director of Partner Operations any emerging trends in challenges or enhanced efficacy in Agency Partners’ ability to remain in compliance with regulations.
• Maintain all records and information for Partner Agency accounts well organized and up to date.
• Ensure that SHH is always ‘audit ready’ including but not limited to: up-to-date standards of practice, training curricula, internal audits, monitoring visit and follow up tracking, etc.
• Educate agencies in food safety, best practices, and latest food recall procedures.
• Conduct orientation for new agencies.

Other:

• Strong commitment to creating an equitable work place and experience for community based partners.
• Provide orientation and coaching support for new and current staff within SHH and Agency Partners related to all regulatory requirements and best practices for meeting them.
• Lead and/or support special initiatives and projects such as monitoring tool and process development, partner network communication related to compliance, training curricula development and design of job aids that help Agencies improve compliance.
• Represent the Compliance team and Partner Operations perspective in internal working groups and inter-departmental initiatives.
• Ensure timely compliance visits for Agency Partners, at least once every two years.
• Expert resource in areas of compliance, administration and general operations

Must Have:

• 2+ years of professional work experience related area.
• Professional experience working in hunger relief, food access, and/or federal nutrition programs.
• General knowledge of commercial food preparation practices.
• Experience influencing others without direct supervising authority.
• Ability to research, analyze and troubleshoot problems.
• Ability to work as part of a team as well as independently with minimum supervision.
• High quality customer service skills (exhibit objectivity, calmness and helpfulness)
• Strong time management, verbal and written and communication skills.
• Strong commitment to equity; ability to work with individuals from different abilities, ethnicities, genders, races, religions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Valid MN driver’s license and good driving record.
• Must have current automobile insurance.
• Dependable transportation is required to conduct site visits.
• Advanced Microsoft office programs and computer skills.

Nice to Have:

• Current Minnesota Food Manager Certificate or ability to obtain in the first 45 days.
• Bilingual in other languages highly desired, (Spanish, Somali, Hmong).

Our Values:

• We deliver.
• We lead with our hearts.
• We innovate.
• We are all in this together.
• We believe our differences make us stronger.

Starting Pay Range: $21.00 - $24.00 USD hourly or more / Dependent on Qualifications and Experience.

Second Harvest Heartland is an EEO/AA Employer.

Benefits include: 9 paid holidays each calendar year, plus 4 extra well-being days, up to 160 hours of paid time off per calendar year, with the option to carry over up to 20 hours to the following calendar year, 8 hours of volunteer time off to serve community each calendar year, up to 6 weeks paid parental leave for birth and non-birth parents, and more! Learn more about our benefits package here.

Second Harvest Heartland believes no one should ever go hungry, as our region produces more than enough food for everyone. Helping hungry neighbors find their next meal—so they can thrive at work, in the classroom and in their communities—is what drives Second Harvest Heartland, its partners and supporters. Beyond feeding hungry neighbors, Second Harvest Heartland believes in the importance of our work to help sustain our environment.