Community Nutrition Educator- Somali Language Fluency

Title: Community Nutrition Educator (4911) - Somali Language Fluency

Working Title: EFNEP Community Nutrition Educator

Program Area: Extension Center for Family Development

Location: Eden Prairie or Maplewood

Minimum Salary: $21.50 per hour; dependent on qualifications

Deadline to Apply: March 15, 2023

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a federally funded program that uses a peer educator model to teach families with limited incomes. The main content CNEs teach in EFNEP include basic nutrition and cooking, food safety, food resource management, and physical activity. Visit the EFNEP web page for more information, .

The EFNEP Community Nutrition Educators (CNEs) come from the neighborhoods served by this program and have familiarity with their fellow communities which makes them thoughtful and knowledgeable peer educators. As a CNE, you will have the opportunity to positively impact local communities by assisting families with limited incomes in gathering the nutrition knowledge and skills that contribute to leading a healthy life. You will also encourage and unify community members and families to learn together in a group setting, or, in a home visit setting. CNEs play an active and significant role in the communities they serve by attending community events and health fairs to not only promote EFNEP, but to encourage families to create change in their own communities.

This position will travel frequently across the four-county Twin Cities metro area (Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, and Dakota) to deliver EFNEP programming.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Education (70%)

• Using approved nutrition curricula, teaches and delivers educational programs either face-to-face, or using distance technologies (as appropriate and allowable per national office approval) to target audiences. (Teaching and educational program delivering will be in Somali and English)
• Creates a positive "hands on" learning environment for participants, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and understanding of issues associated with living with a limited income and resources.
• Makes progress to build new partnerships that can ensure consistent teaching schedules which meet current goals.
• Once established, teaches 8-10 hours weekly and enrolls 100 eligible adults annually and/or 400 youth participants
• Organizes and follows the schedule of teaching groups or home visits.
• Actively engages in offered training and coaching in order to continually improve overall quality and impact of nutrition education and daily work.

Administrative Procedures and Protocols (15%)

• Collects participant-level paperwork (entry and exit EFNEP evaluations) as well as attendance sheets and other requested paperwork.
• Follows budgetary guidelines and procedures regarding travel, programming supplies, and equipment.
• Maintains and updates calendars, submits expense receipts and vacation/sick absences.
• Working with the EFNEP Regional Coordinator, documents EFNEP success stories.
• Actively participates in EFNEP team meetings to help develop a consistent, effective EFNEP team.
• Participates in meetings, trainings, and conferences related to EFNEP, Health and Nutrition, or Family Development as appropriate. Meetings may require travel to other Extension offices, or occasionally, travel to other parts of the state.

Communications and Community Partnerships (15%)

• Maintains high level of communication with supervisors and other program staff regarding classes (how classes went, how the curriculum worked with the audience, etc.) and daily work.
• Fills in for other educators as needed or teach classes arranged by regional coordinator or to fulfill other grant requirements.
• Works with the EFNEP Program Coordinator to build strong, long-term community partnerships to provide ideas for program improvements, recognize program success, and thanks partners for their involvement.

Other Responsibilities Assigned as Needed

APPOINTMENT

This is a full-time AFSCME 7 (Union) appointment at the level of Community Nutrition Educator (4911). This is a University of Minnesota appointment and benefits, including health and life insurance, are listed on the University of Minnesota Human Resources web page: . This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship and will report to a Regional Coordinator for EFNEP.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or the equivalent.
• Minimum of two full time years' experience in a job, volunteer, or other applicable setting related to food. Experience can be paid or unpaid - experience in childcare, foster care, a kitchen, church, recreation center, or similar setting is acceptable.
• Verbal fluency in English and Somali
• Experience in leading culturally relevant projects intended for Somali audiences.

Additional Requirements:

• Must have reliable high-speed internet access - significant time spent on the computer preparing for, and delivering a live, online class, or holding virtual meetings with EFNEP team members or community partners.
• Must be able to travel within the designated communities and provide in-person programming.
• Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle with required liability insurance, to be utilized for frequent travel within Minnesota, primarily the Twin Cities metro area
• Has a personal cell phone to be use for work purposes
• Ability to lift 40 pounds (including but not limited to poster boards, groceries for food demonstrations, laptop bag, educational incentives, and rolling kitchens -not all sites have a dedicated parking or elevators, so educators must be prepared to walk to teaching sites and carry materials up several flights of stairs).
• Sit, stand for extended periods of time (drive to/from classes, set up, teach up to three hours, and clean classroom, prepare food, etc)
• Must be able to submit proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit a completed religious/medical exemption and agree to comply with the University's testing requirement.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including occasional evening or weekend work.
• This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of two full time years' experience in teaching, coaching, or community education related to the preparation of healthy food for families, food purchasing, and food budgeting. Experience should show:
  • Demonstrated success in teaching audiences who speak Somali
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively among diverse groups, including coworkers, social organizations, and community members from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
• Experience working within communities, preferably in a teaching, coaching, or community education-related role.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills in English and Somali
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Demonstrated skills in planning, organizing, problem-solving, and successfully completing multiple tasks under pressure of deadline.
• Demonstrated success in building partnerships and networks for the purpose of strengthening and/or marketing programs.
• Willingness to receive and integrate constructive feedback from supervisor into plan of work
• Basic food skills including preparing and cooking food, knife skills, and food safety
• Experience with relevant cultural/traditional/ethnic foods, ceremonies, or ways of life that promote healthy eating and lifestyles.
• Basic experience and familiarity with using Google Calendar and Google mail, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and doing internet searches.
• Familiarity with different modes of technology (i.e. laptop, iPad, office computer) and open to using technology to deliver lessons and collect data.

ABOUT EXTENSION

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension's programming and employee engagement. Find further information at .

Applications must be submitted online. From the posting page, click on the "Apply for Job" button and follow the instructions. Please include the following attachments with your online application.

1. Resume - You must include all relevant qualifications (paid or unpaid) based on the required qualifications. The initial HR screening process focuses primarily on the resume.
2. Cover letter which:
   • Describes your qualifications for the position based upon the job requirements and position responsibilities.

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. See full instructions, .

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

For questions about the position or assistance with the online application, contact:

Sarah Jergenson, EFNEP Regional Coordinator, 715-419-0763 or .

The University of Minnesota and Extension recognize and value the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: .

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University's Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit: .

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.