Food Access Specialist

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

Food Access Specialist (Limited Service)**

The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) is seeking a full-time (40-hour week)Food Access Specialist. The selected candidate will play a vital role in coordinating and strengthening food access initiatives throughout Champaign County. The Specialist serves as a central connector, helping align strategies, identify service gaps, and mobilize resources to improve equitable access to nutritious, affordable food. This position will also support community engagement and sustainability planning to advance a shared vision of food equity across Champaign County.

**Note: Funding for this position is currently secured through June 2026. However, CUPHD and local partners are actively working to secure long-term funding to sustain this position beyond that date.

Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Lead and maintain the Food Access Consortium, a countywide network of local government, nonprofits, healthcare providers, universities, growers, food banks, and community members to reduce food and nutrition insecurity through partnership, policy, and systems change.
• Play a key role in organizing the Annual Feeding Champaign County Food Summit, ensuring professional facilitation, actionable outcomes, and year-round collaboration.
• Engage with community members most impacted by food insecurity (e.g., immigrants, refugees, rural households, seniors, and low-income families) through listening sessions, focus groups, and participatory planning.
• Foster strong relationships among consortium partners by building trust, promoting collaboration, and supporting collective impact approaches.
• Coordinate communications and outreach, including media engagement and promotion of partner initiatives.
• Collect and analyze data to evaluate progress, inform decision-making, and ensure continuous improvement of food access initiatives.
• Represent CUPHD at community events, public meetings, and conferences related to food and nutrition security.
• Public Health Emergency Response Responsibilities: All District employees must be able to respond to public health emergencies when needed and appropriate. During an emergency response, employee may be assigned to a role in either operations, logistics, or administration by the Incident Commander and/or Section Chief in addition to regular duties.
• Performs other duties as required.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public health, community health, social work, nonprofit management, communication, nutrition, agriculture, or a related field, plus 2-4 years of experience in coalition building, partnership development, or program coordination;
• OR 3-5 years of relevant professional experience without a bachelor's degree.
• Experience with community engagement, food systems, or public health initiatives is preferred.

The expected annual starting salary is $58,405. Full annual salary range for a Class 7 Food Access Specialist is $58,405 - $78,847 for a 40-hour week.

To apply, go to:https://secure4.saashr.com/ta/6173898.careers?CareersSearch. Applicants may also come in to apply online at?CUPHD, 201 W. Kenyon Road, Champaign, IL 61820.For full consideration, you must complete the application process.

Men, Women, Veterans, and individuals of all abilities are encouraged to apply. CUPHD also strongly encourages people of color, transgender, and non-binary people to apply. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you need accommodations to apply, please contact LaTasha Aragon at laragon@c-uphd.org. CUPHD is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to join its team.?

CUPHD highly recommends being fully vaccinated with the most-up-to-date (September 2025 and beyond) influenza (seasonally).Vaccinationstaken prior to September 2025 will not be accepted. Employees not vaccinated are required to mask from December 1st until April 1st of each year. Proof ofvaccinationsor a signed declination form must be on file with Human Resources prior to start date.

The recruitment will remain open until filled.

Posted October 17, 2025