SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator, Northwest KS — Colby

About This Role

The Extension Nutrition Program, within K‑State Research and Extension, is hiring a full-time Nutrition Educator to serve northwest Kansas. Nutrition educators support the Kansas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP‑Ed) mission of fostering a healthier future for all by supporting low-income Kansans in leading healthy lives.

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.

Key Responsibilities:

Planning and preparation

• Work with colleagues to assess the health and nutrition needs of residents with limited resources.
• Prepare for events (for example: buying and preparing ingredients for a cooking demonstration).

Teaching

• Organize and deliver curriculum-based nutrition education for youth and adult audiences. Programs may be online, hybrid or in-person at places like schools, food pantries, and housing authorities.
• Conduct recipe demonstrations, informational presentations, and interactive lessons.
• Communicate and interact appropriately with a variety of 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 environmental (PSE) work

• Build relationships with local service agencies, schools and organizations.
• Work with community coalitions to support PSE initiatives related to SNAP‑Ed goals.
• Represent SNAP‑Ed and K‑State Research and Extension in northwest Kansas.

Reporting

• Collect and report data related to SNAP‑Ed programs.

Professional development

• Attend training events, meetings and conferences to improve health and nutrition knowledge, teaching practices and record keeping skills.

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

About Us

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.

Location and Worksite Options

This position will serve communities in northwest Kansas. The service area will include, but is not limited to Cheyenne, Rawlins, Sherman, Thomas, and Wallace counties. The primary office is in Colby, KS.

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

What You'll Need to Succeed

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 a variety of audiences, including limited-resource families.
• 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.

How to Apply

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.

Screening of Applications Begins

Screening will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$16.50-$20.50/hour

This position is benefits eligible. Full-time benefits include: health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, tuition assistance program, paid time off-vacation, sick and holidays. To learn more visit: k-state.edu/hr/benefits.