Diocese Of Jefferson City
Director of Food Security and Wellness Initiatives
Diocese Of Jefferson City, Jefferson City, Missouri, United States, 65109
The Director of Food Security and Wellness Initiatives at Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri plays a vital role in advancing our mission to promote food security and wellness in the communities we serve. This leadership position is responsible for shaping and overseeing strategic programs that enhance access to nutritious food, wellness education, and overall health equity. The Director will lead innovative initiatives to address food insecurity, improve community health outcomes, and ensure that wellness resources are accessible to underserved populations. Key responsibilities include developing outreach strategies to connect with underserved communities, identifying growth opportunities through partnerships, and fostering innovative solutions.
The Director will lead a diverse team, promoting collaboration and resilience while providing guidance and training to empower staff. Oversight of grant monitoring and compliance is crucial for program sustainability, along with developing reporting systems to highlight impact. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills and a commitment to community service and public health awareness by playing a key role in driving positive change and enhancing the well-being of the communities we serve.
Possesses a strong commitment to the mission of Catholic Charities including the understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and ability to demonstrate the philosophy and values of the agency. The identity of the agency is clearly Catholic. As such, Catholic
Charities adheres to the social and moral teachings of the Catholic Church.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Supervising strategic planning and program management in the following areas:
Collaborating with agency leadership to maintain strong fiscal management through the development, monitoring, and administration of annual budgets. Identifying, promoting, and integrating best practices for the development and enhancement of food security and wellness initiatives. Coordinating with agency leadership to ensure compliance with all agency policies and procedures. Overseeing, developing, and implementing food security initiatives and wellness education programs, including the Catholic Charities Food Pantry, the Food Security and Wellness team, and additional services aimed at improving community health. Ensuring program compliance with contractual and reporting requirements for local, state, and national funding entities, while meeting key outcomes, delivering high-quality services, and incorporating client feedback to ensure programs meet community needs. This includes providing specialized oversight of major contracts such as those with United Way, SSM Health, and The Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri. Collaborating with agency leadership to ensure that program staff receive thorough orientation, ongoing training, supervision, and performance evaluations to promote quality enhancement, professional growth, and sustainability within the team. Serves as a liaison fostering and maintaining positive relationships with agency leadership, peers, program staff, local and regional service partners, and both regional and national organizations to ensure the delivery of high-quality client services and the advancement of food security and wellness initiatives. This includes working to develop new partnerships and expanding outreach to underserved communities. Expectations
Full-time staff members are required to attend their designated work site from Monday to Friday, typically from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Core working hours may be subject to change based on the specific role and the requirements of the program. Participates effectively as a team member through communication, cooperation, information sharing, and problem-solving. Attends and participates in staff trainings, meetings, activities, and programs as required. Utilizes common software and digital applications (Microsoft Office suite, Outlook, Teams, time-keeping software, etc.). Supervisory Responsibilities
Supervises program/direct service staff, AmeriCorps members, interns, and volunteers as assigned
Education and/or Experience
This position requires an advanced degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to the mission and services of Catholic Charities, along with three to five years of experience in management and program delivery. Strong team management skills and fiscal responsibility are essential. Preferred qualifications include a proven ability to build and maintain community relationships, as well as knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
None required
Other Qualifications
Ability to successfully pass Family Care Safety Registry and criminal background checks and requires completion of the Protecting God's Children VIRTUS training session.
Licensed to operate a motor vehicle and ability to meet agency auto insurance coverage requirements. Local travel will be required.
Agency Identity and Mission
The work of Catholic Charities serves as an expression of the ministry of evangelization of the Roman Catholic Church by serving the poor and most vulnerable in our society. Although staff are not to proselytize, they are, however, expected to be guided in every way by the teachings of the Catholic faith in their daily work.
These include church teachings on abortion, sterilization, abstinence, and the sanctity of the family as well as fidelity to the Catholic ethical religious directive of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In addition, all staff are invited to attend periodic Catholic Masses. As employees of Catholic Charities, it is further expected that staff will adhere to the Diocesan code of conduct. Employees are expected to not only perform duties consistent with the Doctrines of the Catholic faith, but outside of the workplace they are expected to refrain from publishing any communication in any form, electronic or otherwise, that affiliates them with Catholic Charities in a manner that is inconsistent with the doctrine of the Roman Catholic faith.
The Director will lead a diverse team, promoting collaboration and resilience while providing guidance and training to empower staff. Oversight of grant monitoring and compliance is crucial for program sustainability, along with developing reporting systems to highlight impact. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills and a commitment to community service and public health awareness by playing a key role in driving positive change and enhancing the well-being of the communities we serve.
Possesses a strong commitment to the mission of Catholic Charities including the understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and ability to demonstrate the philosophy and values of the agency. The identity of the agency is clearly Catholic. As such, Catholic
Charities adheres to the social and moral teachings of the Catholic Church.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Supervising strategic planning and program management in the following areas:
Collaborating with agency leadership to maintain strong fiscal management through the development, monitoring, and administration of annual budgets. Identifying, promoting, and integrating best practices for the development and enhancement of food security and wellness initiatives. Coordinating with agency leadership to ensure compliance with all agency policies and procedures. Overseeing, developing, and implementing food security initiatives and wellness education programs, including the Catholic Charities Food Pantry, the Food Security and Wellness team, and additional services aimed at improving community health. Ensuring program compliance with contractual and reporting requirements for local, state, and national funding entities, while meeting key outcomes, delivering high-quality services, and incorporating client feedback to ensure programs meet community needs. This includes providing specialized oversight of major contracts such as those with United Way, SSM Health, and The Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri. Collaborating with agency leadership to ensure that program staff receive thorough orientation, ongoing training, supervision, and performance evaluations to promote quality enhancement, professional growth, and sustainability within the team. Serves as a liaison fostering and maintaining positive relationships with agency leadership, peers, program staff, local and regional service partners, and both regional and national organizations to ensure the delivery of high-quality client services and the advancement of food security and wellness initiatives. This includes working to develop new partnerships and expanding outreach to underserved communities. Expectations
Full-time staff members are required to attend their designated work site from Monday to Friday, typically from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Core working hours may be subject to change based on the specific role and the requirements of the program. Participates effectively as a team member through communication, cooperation, information sharing, and problem-solving. Attends and participates in staff trainings, meetings, activities, and programs as required. Utilizes common software and digital applications (Microsoft Office suite, Outlook, Teams, time-keeping software, etc.). Supervisory Responsibilities
Supervises program/direct service staff, AmeriCorps members, interns, and volunteers as assigned
Education and/or Experience
This position requires an advanced degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to the mission and services of Catholic Charities, along with three to five years of experience in management and program delivery. Strong team management skills and fiscal responsibility are essential. Preferred qualifications include a proven ability to build and maintain community relationships, as well as knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
None required
Other Qualifications
Ability to successfully pass Family Care Safety Registry and criminal background checks and requires completion of the Protecting God's Children VIRTUS training session.
Licensed to operate a motor vehicle and ability to meet agency auto insurance coverage requirements. Local travel will be required.
Agency Identity and Mission
The work of Catholic Charities serves as an expression of the ministry of evangelization of the Roman Catholic Church by serving the poor and most vulnerable in our society. Although staff are not to proselytize, they are, however, expected to be guided in every way by the teachings of the Catholic faith in their daily work.
These include church teachings on abortion, sterilization, abstinence, and the sanctity of the family as well as fidelity to the Catholic ethical religious directive of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In addition, all staff are invited to attend periodic Catholic Masses. As employees of Catholic Charities, it is further expected that staff will adhere to the Diocesan code of conduct. Employees are expected to not only perform duties consistent with the Doctrines of the Catholic faith, but outside of the workplace they are expected to refrain from publishing any communication in any form, electronic or otherwise, that affiliates them with Catholic Charities in a manner that is inconsistent with the doctrine of the Roman Catholic faith.