Genesis Harbor of Opportunities Promoting Excellence Community Nutrition Educator Detroit, MI · Full time

Apply for Community Nutrition Educator

The Community Nutrition Educator (CNE) is a member of our Healthy Living team. The CNE works independently to educate and empower youth, adults and seniors to improve nutrition and physical activity behaviors. The CNE’s primary responsibility is the implementation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-ED) that includes direct education and indirect social messaging. Nutrition lessons focus on diet quality, food safety, physical activity, food security and food resource management. The CNE provides research-based, hands-on learning experiences for families and youth at no cost. This includes outreach to agencies and organizations, and recruitment of participants. The CNE is also responsible for facilitating and advocating for policy, systems, and environmental changes to remove barriers or encourage healthy living.

Position Description

The major area of responsibilities is: (1) the implementation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-ED) that includes direct education and indirect social messaging; and (2) facilitating and advocating for policy, systems and environmental changes to remove barriers or encourage healthy living. (3) involves delivering evidence-based workshops, providing participants with tools and strategies to manage their health effectively. The CNE duties include, but are not limited to: 

Education & Administration

• Identifying research-based direct education interventions to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables that are culturally and age appropriate.
• Creating activities and incorporating nutrition education reinforcements to support behavior change that are linked to lessons.
• Review research-based curriculum(s) and any other supplemental activities and materials to adequately prepare to educate and engage participants.
• Implement evidence-based nutrition education and physical activity programs while partnering with health organizations, clinical staff, and food access professionals. 
• Conduct assessments, including collecting pre- and post-evaluations to demonstrate behavior change, biometric change, and related impacts. 
• Support Program Manager with developing and maintaining relationships within the community to continuously assess needs; identify trends and increase the visibility of our programs and services.
• Order and assemble welcome kits, supplies, and produce in a timely manner to prepare for each lesson within a series including nutrition education reinforcement items, equipment, and utensils.
• Update and maintain educator logs, tracking databases, and other required documentation.
• Collect and analyze data and prepare professional reports, articles, and monthly highlights as required.
• Co-create recruitment plans and actively recruit partners (host sites) and program participants.

Advocacy

• Be an advocate and champion for our work and the people we serve.
• Serve as a liaison and voice of residents and the community with food, health and nutrition systems, policy makers and various settings or environments.
• Actively participate in collaborations to identify barriers to healthy living to mitigate, remove or improve policies, systems and environments that advance health equity.
• Lead collaborative interventions to change policies, systems or environments to support healthy choices for healthy living.

Communications

• Collect stories, draft blog posts and social media posts to share participant stories and educational information and outcomes.
• Hosting and facilitating events such as cooking demonstrations in various settings such as Farmers Markets, recreation centers, clinical areas, schools etc.
• Assist Program Manager with letters and other communications.

Fund Development

• Assist with searching for and identifying funding opportunities, e.g., grants, contracts, donors, etc.
• Actively participate in fundraising.

Professional Development

• Identify and participate in training and workshops to continuously learn and stay abreast of trends and best practices across healthcare, social services, social justice and community development sectors.
• Identify, join and actively participate in community groups and trade associations to continuously learn and stay abreast of changing needs, trends, best practices, policies and systems.

Qualifications & Skills

• Associate degree in Public Health or Nutrition & Food Science, Community Health Worker certificate, or equivalent and relevant experience required.
• Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and auto insurance coverage are required (work-related mileage is reimbursed).
• Must be willing to work select evenings and weekends and adjust hours accordingly to accommodate clients, patients, partners, and community engagements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, and proficient in Zoom and social media required.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk, talking on a phone, and working on a computer.
• Ability to lift 40 lbs.