Penn State Extension Educator - Food, Families, and Health Unit

  • Full-time
  • Butler, PA
  • posted September 22, 2022
Penn State Extension
Category:

Community Nutritionist

Position Description:
The College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking an individual trained in community nutrition/health education and/or food science to join our nationally-recognized Penn State Extension Food, Families, and Health and Food Safety & Quality Units. The position will be responsible for actively working with Extension program teams to identify important human health and food safety issues, learning objectives, develop educational events and materials to support the learning objectives, and utilize evaluations to measure program success.

The position also supervises program assistants and volunteers who teach nutrition and food safety programs on behalf of Extension. The successful candidate will need to develop and/or participate in collaborations across multiple disciplines, agencies, departments, colleges, and institutions. All team members are expected to participate in the development of a diverse external funding portfolio (e.g. grants, contracts, cost recovery, development), in support of the team’s programs.

Competitive candidates will have a general understanding of human health and food safety issues related to food and community education. Team members are expected to work closely with university faculty and staff to develop and conduct applied research that is relevant to target audience needs. The individual must be able to work effectively in a team and with diverse populations and audiences. The successful candidate will need to develop and/or participate in collaborations across multiple disciplines, departments, colleges, and institutions.

All team members are expected to participate in the development of a diverse external funding portfolio (e.g. grants, contracts, cost recovery, development), in support of the team’s programs. The individual will be expected to develop original content to engage audiences through innovative educational methods such as online courses, videos, mobile apps, and electronic publications, in addition to traditional publications and in-person presentations. It is expected that the individual in the position will be able to provide educational programming with the goal of improving human health and well-being to reduce the incidence and risk of chronic diseases and foodborne illnesses. As a result of educational programs, measurable improvements in health conditions or other indicators, such as increase numbers of people who make healthier food choices, save money on food purchases, improve food resource management practices, increase improvements in medical screenings, and decrease the number of people who are affected by foodborne illnesses and chronic diseases will be critical outcomes. Success in this educational program will allow Pennsylvanians to have an improved health status, enhanced life skills needed for self-sufficiency, better health and lower health care and medical costs.

The individual will be located in Butler County (Office location: 101 Motor Pool Way, Butler, Pennsylvania 16001) and they will be expected to provide FFH programming in Butler, Armstrong, Jefferson, and Clarion counties, as well as FSQ programming in Butler, Armstrong, and Indiana counties, while also part of a state program team that is expected to participate and deliver programs statewide.

Education and Experience

This position typically requires a Master's degree or higher plus two years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience for a level 3. Serv Safe Training Certification is required. Preference will be given to candidates with degree(s) in nutrition science with registered dietitian credentials, food science, health education/promotion with a certified health education specialty, family and consumer sciences or related disciplines, and those that have related teaching experience in education.

Candidates should have a basic knowledge of and commitment to food and agriculture, and enjoy the challenge of working as a team member on a wide variety of educational efforts. Candidates must possess effective communication skills (verbal and written), teaching skills, interpersonal skills, the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and clientele, supervision skills, and work as an active member of a team. The candidate must be very organized and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Experience or the ability to apply cultural/ethnic principles into Extension will be helpful. While not a requirement, the ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus. Desired experience includes: teaching, curriculum development, evaluation, supervision of program assistants, grant management, report writing, leadership development, and proficiency in use of computer software packages, such as Microsoft programs. The candidate must be able to carry equipment, and educational materials and supplies, with or without accommodation, and have the ability to travel.

Additional Information

This position requires the following clearances: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. The candidate also must possess a valid driver's license and have use of a private vehicle. Since the position requires operating a motor vehicle as part of the job duties, successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to the three clearances.

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