Training And Compliance Specialist

General Description:

The Training & Compliance Specialist works with network Partners to ensure they understand and implement food safety best practices. Training & Compliance Specialist ensures community partners are in good standing with the Greater Chicago Food Depository's guidelines and program requirements. Additionally, this role empowers partners with educational and training opportunities on operational best practices.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Food Safety Compliance:

• Manage a caseload of Partner and programs and conduct all site visits for assigned areas.

• Develop and maintain site visit schedule. Conduct site visits in accordance with Food Depository and government guidelines for all partners.

• Perform all routine follow-up visits and reporting with partners.

• Review and the submission of various reports, ensuring accuracy and completion by partners.

• Report any persistent problems to the Sr. Manager of Training and relevant Food Depository leads for resolution, maintaining a diligent log of all site visits including time and address of issue(s).

• When program defects are noted, appropriate questions will be asked to understand the root of the issue. By identifying the root causes the Training & Compliance Specialist can help facilitate corrective actions by training or resource allocation.

• Ensures all food distribution is done in such a way as to promote equitable access and a dignified process.

• Maintain strong knowledge of all program regulations and guidelines as well as performance standards established by the Food Depository and regulatory agencies.

• Maintain consistent, professional contact with partners in advance and following site visits, adhering to professional and ethical guidelines in all guest and partner interactions.

• Maintain accurate reports and assist as needed in preparing for audits of Food Depository records by government regulatory agencies and Feeding America.

• Support cross-department usage of training platforms like Trakstar Learn, including activation/deactivation of accounts and working with IT on system improvement needs.

• Maintain strong knowledge of all current guidelines and regulations in government food programs.

• Develop and maintain site visit schedule and log.

• Conduct site visits throughout Cook County.

• Ensure Food Depository partners are conducting intake during their set distribution times.

Education & Training:

• Empower community partners by coordinating and providing appropriate food safety and operational training and coaching.

• Empower community partners with the tools, resources and technical assistance needed to ensure successful operations, including accurate and timely reporting.

• Provide training and technical assistance to food distribution partners in the following areas: reporting requirements, general food program operations, volunteer recruitment and succession planning, resource management, transportation and underscoring the importance of food safety, and other areas as identified by partners to support their program operations.

• Gather information on community and partner needs and ensure those needs are recorded for further analysis by the relevant Partner Services & Support team members.

• Recommends training and resources needed by the partners to the Sr. Manager of Training.

Collaboration & Partnership:

• Collaborate with colleagues across teams to ensure partners are positioned for success in their food access programs.

• Support partners during their food distribution activities as needed, ensuring best practices and neighbor-focused programming.

• Work with partner sites to quickly resolve any outstanding compliance issues to minimize partner holds and ensure continuing support for the community.

• Collaborate with members of the Partner Services & Support team on recruitment and onboarding of new partners as needed.

• Support the adoption of Link2Feed as the client intake tool across the network of partners.

• Evaluate operating hours across the network and develop recommendations for the Sr. Manager of Training on how new and existing partners can expand current operations.

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• 2+ years of social service and/or non-profit program management experience strongly preferred.

• Strong attention to detail required.

• Community engagement experience in the Chicago area.

• Ability to work independently and maintain timely schedule.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills required.

• Excellent interpersonal skills required for coordination with internal and external partners

• Proficiency in MS Office- Word, Excel, Access, Outlook.

• Local travel and personal transportation required with valid IL Driver's license and insurance.

• Must attain Food Service Sanitation Manager certificate upon employment.

• Must have vehicle; 90% travel required

Exposure:

• Normal office environment; exposure to warehouse environment.

• Interacts with Food Depository staff, partner agencies, applicant agencies, funding organizations, community leaders, volunteers, and public.

• Some evening and weekend time required for site visits, community meetings and events, and participation in Food Depository events throughout Cook County.