SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator, Northwest KS - Great Bend

The Extension Nutrition Program, within K-State Research and Extension, is currently seeking a full-time Nutrition Educator to serve communities in northwest Kansas. Nutrition educators support the Kansas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) mission of empowering limited-resource Kansans to achieve healthy lives and reduce health disparities.

Nutrition educators will use evidence-based strategies, including:

• Direct education in various settings.
• Community-based projects to address policy, system, and environmental (PSE) changes.
• Public health approaches to help children, adults and older adults improve dietary quality, develop food resource management skills and increase physical activity.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Planning and preparation

• Collaborate with local extension professionals to assess the nutrition and health needs of residents with limited resources.
• Prepare for events by gathering necessary materials. (For example, purchasing and preparing food for a cooking demonstration.)

Teaching

• Coordinate, prepare and deliver curriculum-based nutrition education programming to groups and individuals of various ages. Programs may be hosted online, as hybrid events or in settings like housing authorities, food pantries, schools, etc. Educational events will include recipe demonstrations, informational presentations, and interactive lessons.
• Communicate and interact appropriately with culturally diverse audiences.
• Utilize critical thinking skills to solve problems and adapt to new situations that may arise while working with clients.

Community outreach and Policy, System, and Environment (PSE) work

• Develop partnerships and contacts with local service agencies, school districts and other community organizations.
• Participate in community coalitions to promote, implement and support initiatives for PSE changes related to SNAP-Ed objectives.
• Serve as a local SNAP-Ed program and K-State Research and Extension representative for northwest Kansas.

Reporting

• Gather data and compile SNAP-Ed reports and records.

Professional development

• Participate in regular training, including staff meetings, statewide trainings and events, and approved conferences and workshops to improve nutrition knowledge, teaching practices, cultural awareness, and record keeping skills.

This position reports to the Northwest Area SNAP-Ed regional specialist.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is a nutrition education program provided at no cost to Kansas families with limited resources. Our goal is to provide nutrition education to individuals and families who receive food assistance or who are eligible to receive food assistance. In addition, we promote, implement and support initiatives for Policy, System and Environmental changes to improve dietary quality, prevent obesity and increase physical activity. SNAP-Ed is sponsored by the USDA through a contract with the Kansas Department for Children and Families and implemented by K-State Research and Extension. For more information about Kansas SNAP-Ed go to k-state.edu/ks-snaped.

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. Our system is designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. We are a partnership between Kansas State University and federal, state, and county governments. We have extension offices in every Kansas county. Learn more at ksre.k-state.edu.

This nutrition educator will serve communities in northwest Kansas. The primary office is in Great Bend, KS. (A primary office in Hays, KS could be negotiated.)

This position is on-site and will require regular travel to sites throughout northwest Kansas. It will also involve occasional overnight travel for trainings (approximately 2-3 times per year).

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma (or equivalent).
• Two years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in nutrition, family and consumer sciences, public health, education, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated interest in physical activity, food safety, meal planning, food preparation and food resource management.
• Experience working with limited-resource families and diverse audiences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, confident speaking in front of groups and facilitating meetings.
• Leadership experience in community-level initiatives.
• Experience facilitating educational programs with youth, adults and older adults.
• Understanding of public health approaches to promote policy, system and environmental changes to improve access to healthy food and physical activity opportunities.
• Experience complying with standardized policies and procedures and grant reporting requirements.
• Bilingual / ability to communicate effectively with both English and Spanish-speaking learners.

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.
• Valid driver's license, proof of vehicle insurance and reliable transportation.

Please submit the following documents:

• A cover letter explaining why you are a good candidate for this position.
• A resume detailing your education, employment history, and relevant experiences.

You will also be asked to provide contact information for three professional references.

Immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

$16.50-$20.50/hour