Basic Needs & Peer Support Coordinator

The Basic Needs & Peer Support Coordinator leads student basic-needs services and peer-to-peer support at SUNY Fredonia. The role oversees the Student Food Pantry (Freddy's Locker) and Thrift Room, serves as the institution's Homeless Liaison for students experiencing housing insecurity, and develops, trains, and coordinates peer support programs (e.g., peer mentors, Empire State Service Corps, peer mental health support). The coordinator provides non-clinical, trauma-informed support; connects students to campus/community resources; and tracks outcomes to improve retention and student success.

This position will report to the Dean of Students/Residence Life.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Basic Needs Center Leadership & Operations

• Provide general oversight and administration of Freddy's Locker (Campus Food Pantry/Basic Needs Center), the Thrift Room, and Homeless Liaison duties.
• Manage day-to-day center operations; leverage community resources for supplies; implement technology to enhance student access (e.g., PantrySoft) and collect data for trend/outcome assessment.
• Maintain inventory and conduct weekly purchasing for food and basic needs items.
• Recruit, train, schedule, and supervise student assistants and Empire State Service Corps interns for the Basic Needs Center and Thrift Room.
• Collaborate with ACE, FOP, EDP, Veteran Support Services, FirstGen Forward, and other entities to ensure eligible students receive information about the Sustainable Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-style campus program) via email, social media, and in-person outreach; coordinate with the program's lead to support confidential applications.
• Partner with campus departments and community organizations to plan outreach initiatives throughout the year.
• Drive continuous improvement and identify efficiencies and strategies to enhance program sustainability.
• Update and maintain the Cedar Mountain PantrySoft system; ensure accurate records and usage data.
• Oversee Food Pantry Foundation Account funds and SUNY Food Insecurity Grant funds; monitor budgets, purchasing, and compliance; complete semester and annual reports.

Housing Insecurity & Homeless Liaison

• Serve as primary contact for students experiencing homelessness or housing instability; triage immediate needs; coordinate short-term solutions; connect students to campus/community resources; maintain confidential follow-up.

Case Management (Non-clinical)

• Provide individualized support to students experiencing personal, financial, academic, or housing challenges.
• Conduct needs assessments and create action plans to connect students with campus and community resources.
• Serve as a point of contact for students in distress; provide crisis intervention and coordinate follow-up.
• Work in close coordination with the Care Coordinator in Residence, PAWS Coordinator, Counseling Center, Disability Support Services, Health Center, University Police, Financial Aid, and, but not limited to, Residence Life to ensure comprehensive, non-clinical support.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records consistent with FERPA and Clery obligations.
• Conduct proactive outreach to identify at-risk students and reduce barriers to academic persistence.

Peer Support Programs (Non-Clinical)

• Build and oversee a peer mental health support program centered on connection, boundaries, and referral—not clinical care.
• Coordinate and deliver training for student peer roles (peer mentors, ESSC members, and other peer leaders): listening skills, cultural humility, trauma-informed practices, ethics, referral pathways, and scope of role.
• Create partnerships with relevant academic departments and Career Development Office to develop undergraduate internship opportunities, establish learning contracts, and monitor progress
• Develop and facilitate a credit-bearing peer education course

Partnerships, Outreach & Education

• Coordinate cross-campus partnerships (Counseling, Health, Residence Life, UPD, Financial Aid, Academic Affairs) and with community agencies to expand resources.
• Lead workshops, orientations, and campaigns that promote access and destigmatize help-seeking; maintain current resource directories.

Compliance, Data & Reporting

• Uphold confidentiality and relevant laws (e.g., FERPA/Clery/Title IX as applicable); maintain accurate records.
• Track utilization and outcomes; produce periodic data dashboards and narratives for assessment, grants, and planning.

This is a full-time, term-appointed position beginning July 1, 2026. This is a full-time, SL2 Staff Assistant, UUP-represented position with a salary range of $51,261- $53,000. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Higher Education, Public Health, or related)
• Two years' work experience (e.g., supporting students with basic needs/case management and coordinating programs across diverse stakeholders).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree (e.g. Social Work, Psychology, Higher Education, Public Health, or related)
• Experience in higher-education basic-needs programming; familiarity with food/housing resource systems.
• Experience designing/delivering peer support training and facilitating peer-led groups.
• Budget tracking and data/reporting experience.