Nutrition Outreach Instructor

Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University Research Corporation Human Resources
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The Division for Land-Grant Engagement at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Nutrition Outreach Instructor for Doddridge and Ritchie Counties. About the Opportunity This position leads the delivery of direct education and public health outreach for limited-resource, low-income adults, youth and families, including facilitation of skill development, knowledge gain and positive behavior change in the areas of home food preparation (cooking skills), nutrition, food safety, food resource management and physical activity as part of the state, grant-funded, WV Family Nutrition Program (FNP) within the WVU Extension Service (WVUES). This position is both headquartered in and primarily serves adults with young children in responsible County. The primary responsibilities of this position are to deliver approved nutrition education programs, following EFNEP and SNAP-Ed program guidelines, to ensure program fidelity and success: Build and maintain strong, positive, and collaborative working relationships with a wide variety of community agencies and local/regional partners to increase programming and services for limited resource audiences recruit low-income youth, adults, families, pregnant women & teens into programs and maintain their participation for a minimum of six lessons, delivered over a period of 6-12 weeks. teach nutrition and food preparation lessons using an assigned curriculum collect and report data using a standardized evaluation and reporting system collect and identify programmatic needs assessments follow state policies and procedures related to budgeting, traveling, training, and any other activity required by WVU, WVUES, WV-DHHR, USDA Federal Funding Agencies, or other stakeholders; and to work within parameters of a designated budget to deliver programming. FNP is intended to assist low-income children, families, and individuals: adopt healthy eating and active lifestyles that are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA Food Guidance System (Diet Quality & Physical Activity) enhance practices related to thrifty shopping and preparation of nutritious foods (Food Resource Management) have enough to eat without resorting to emergency food assistance (Food Security), safely handle, prepare, and store food (Food Safety) We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including: 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar) 15 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave) 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof) WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's. Wellness programs What you'll do: Program Delivery/Classroom Instruction Identify, recruit, enroll and graduate participants from the Family Nutrition Program - a series of research-based nutrition education lessons designed to increase the knowledge and improve the behaviors of low-income families and youth. "Participants" refers to a minimum number of youth &/or adults served each year as specified in their annual Action Plan (in consultation with the FNP Administrative Team and the supervising Extension Specialist). Recognized as a nutrition educator in the community and schools. Using only approved standardized curricula, apply effective teaching strategies according to the participants' needs that are identified through assessment tools (food recalls and behavior checklists), discussion, supervisor input, and WVU/USDA Civil Rights Policies. Teach subject matter using approved (by FNP Administrative Team) curricula, resources, recipes and materials to groups and/or individuals through a variety of settings such as community centers, schools, senior centers, Head Start, faith-based organizations, after-school programs, health clinics, and summer camps. Includes hands-on activities and food preparation. Maintain an appropriate, safe, and respectful learning environment for participants based on current research and practice with impact-driven delivery methods. Conduct pre and post evaluations to show changes in knowledge, behavior, and skill. Travel independently in both rural and urban settings daily to deliver programming Program Planning and Professional Development Establish and maintain a wide network of partnerships with and relationships with a variety of community and regional organizations/agencies for the purpose of increasing FNP programming and resources to lower-income audiences. These may include food pantries, faith-based organizations, adult education programs, Drug Courts, Day Report Centers, recovery programs, WIC offices, emergency feeding programs, school systems, after-school programs, etc. These positive collaborations are essential to sustain and increase programs for those in greatest need. Initiate and maintain regular communication with participants throughout the program period and beyond as appropriate for recruitment and retention. Promote programs using a variety of marketing and advertising strategies, working via various media sources such as radio, newspapers, TV, public service announcements and social media, keeping in compliance with Civil Rights policies and procedures. Provide data that will support grant applications and donation requests to acquire funding and other resources which complement and support ongoing programming efforts. These may include resources such as meeting space, food items, non-food supplies, in-kind services, etc. Recruit, train, and supervise program volunteers to assist with teaching, transportation, and other program supports. Provide volunteers with recognition when appropriate. Prepare articles for newspapers & newsletters based on relevant research-based information; must be approved by the director prior to publication. Communicate effectively with FNP staff, administrators, and supervisor. Maintain professional accountability by modeling healthy behaviors within the educational setting. Seek opportunities (with supervisory guidance) to increase programming efforts in the area of public health nutrition and lifestyle intervention, such as collaborating with community partners to assist with unique public health projects and outreach efforts. Assist with collecting and analyzing data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. Serve as a resource to assist individuals, and other healthcare workers, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs. Support other Extension programs when appropriate and within the scope of the Family Nutrition Program. Attend and participate in statewide, regional, and local meetings, trainings, & Professional Development opportunities as determined appropriate by WVU, WVUES or FNP Administrative Team. Meet regularly with supervisor to ensure a positive work situation and to gather information regarding clientele needs and local opportunities for programming from the Extension Agent's perspective and from a Civil Rights perspective. Obtain and maintain current knowledge of the communities in area served demographics and local health and human services. Records and Reporting Prepare and submit records, reports, pre/post-tests, forms, surveys, and other methods of collecting program data as required by the FNP Administrative Team, WVUES and other stakeholders. Ensure program records and reports are submitted in an accurate, thorough, and timely manner to the FNP administrative team. Maintain accurate and updated databases using Web-NEERS and other FNP reporting tools needed to complete state and federal reports. Interface with a variety of technologies to insure all activities and outcomes are reported accurately and within a timely manner. Maintain and submit accurate records such as travel and expense reports and credit card receipts as required by WVUES and the FNP Administrative Team. Maintain a directory of participating county partners, facilities, and volunteers. Prepare Memoranda of Understanding for partners to secure facilities, program delivery, pre/post-evaluation, and additional needs. Pay Grade: 15 Associate's degree A minimum of two (2) year of experience in the following: working with low-income and diverse audiences; working with volunteers; networking with community/local organizations basic household management such as grocery shopping, from-scratch cooking, food preparation, budget management, maintaining accurate records and reports, etc. Preferred experience in basic principles of nutrition and food safety. Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered. All qualifications must be met by the time of employment. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of basic nutrition and food science. Knowledge of food safety and physical activity. Knowledge of food resource management. Knowledge of diverse culture and backgrounds. Knowledge of local resources and agencies. Skills to effectively teach nutrition education using a research-based curriculum. Skills to manage time and keep accurate records & reports, including travel & budget. Skills to develop positive participant relationships - congeniality, listening . click apply for full job details
Date Posted: 19 December 2024
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