Number of Vacancies: 1

Employment Status:  full-time, temporary

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: Grade 07, Steps 1-4

Salary Range: $53,872.00-$60,111.00

 Date: Open Until Filled

Location: Van Ness Campus, Washington, DC

Brief Description of Duties

The Project Specialist for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) reports directly to the Director of the Center for Nutrition, Diet and Health, which is one of the land-grant Centers of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). The Project Specialist for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program provides leadership and coordination and plans, develops, manages, implements, and evaluates EFNEP within the community, maintaining a population-based perspective developing and implementing a network of volunteer leadership; collaborating with community groups and agencies to further program goals; and maintaining professional competency and skills required for professional practice. Primary responsibilities include supervises the day-to-day work and activities of EFNEP staff, assessing community nutrition needs; developing and implementing community events and programs; providing nutrition services and medical nutrition therapy to individuals and groups; collaborating with state and community agencies; public, chartered and private schools, supervising personnel; serving as an adviser to teachers and principals ; planning and delivering in-service training and direct age-specific populations, cultural, religious, and ethnic nutrition education activities for children, youth and adults, teachers and principals, public health personnel; and maintaining professional competency and skills required for professional practice. The incumbent must be a team player, work effectively and efficiently with diverse internal and external constituencies, perform all duties with a high degree of efficiency, communicate effectively, work well under pressure and be familiar (or familiarize themselves) with the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of CAUSES, UDC, and program sponsors.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Develops and maintains an awareness of family and community needs by involving professional and lay people from all program areas in the program-planning process.
2. Utilizes a variety of needs assessment techniques to identify local needs and ensure cultural relevancy and appropriateness of nutrition programming.
3. Works collaboratively with other agencies and service providers to effectively address county, state, and national program priorities.
4. Develops, implements, and evaluates education programs and materials addressing identified family and community needs. Responds to general family, consumer, food safety, and food and nutrition questions.
5. Develops and Implements nutrition and dietetics programs in the schools and community.
6. Teaches the series of Dietary Quality and Food Safety education classes in the EFNEP and maintains an established caseload.
7. Develops materials and mass media visibility to effectively market programs and share information.
8. Utilizes a variety of available delivery modes to provide educational programs and opportunities supported by research and evident based and expertise of the affiliated university.
9. Collects information and data on the impact of programming and shares this regularly with funding sources, advisory groups, public officials, and other appropriate stakeholders.
10. Prepares and implements a volunteer development plan that includes recruiting, orienting, and perpetuating volunteers.
11. Implements a training program to help volunteers develop and deliver accurate and effective technical assistance and education programs.
12. Fosters leadership development and offers opportunities for practicing and implementing leadership skills.
13. Networks with other professionals and agencies to effectively serve the needs of individuals, families, and communities.
14. Participates in collaborative alliances to link public and private organizations to promote and coordinate family and consumer science education programs for identified residents of the county.

1. Works effectively and collaboratively with the Director of the Center for Nutrition, Diet and Health, and other staff within CNDH, CAUSES and UDC as necessary.
2. Serves as a resource for educational groups, community groups, and other agencies that serve families, individuals, and communities.
3. Facilitates public decision-making affecting families and provides public policy education when appropriate.
4. Monitors and evaluates county and state demographic trends for use in program and community development.
5. Initiates community development education when appropriate.
6. Maintains and completes required reports, including budget, plans of work, reports of accomplishments, and other documentation needed for program effectiveness.
7. Assists in identifying funding sources and writing grants to fund the expansion and improvement of nutrition programming.
8. Participates in interagency meetings, task forces, and projects.
9. Maintains productivity standards and practices effective time management and prioritizing of tasks.
10. Demonstrates accountability for the proper use of individuals’ protected health information.
11. Manages resources (time, materials, and staff) in a cost-effective manner.
12. Serves as a preceptor for dietetic students and interns completing community nutrition rotations. Plans learning experiences, teaches, and evaluates performance.
13. Performs other duties as assigned including special assignments related to nutrition and health and other needs of the college and community.

1. Bachelor’s degree in dietetics, foods and nutrition, public health, or related focus area of the position, granted by a U.S. regionally accredited college or university. Master’s degree preferred.
2. Completion of a didactic program in dietetics and supervised practice program approved by the Commission of Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
3. Eligible for registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and certification/licensure as required by the District of Columbia.
4. Four (4) years of experience in increasingly responsible community positions.
5. One (1) year supervisory experience.
6. Teaching experience in planned educational program preferred.
7. A proven commitment to continuous improvement and to proactive, outcomes oriented work in meeting the responsibilities and duties outlined in the position description.

1. Knowledge and understanding of community education relating to human development, health and nutrition, family and consumer sciences, and community leadership.
2. Knowledge of human behavior and techniques for effecting behavior change.
3. Ability to communicate effectively in both written and verbal form.
4. Skill in effectively presenting nutrition guidance to individuals and groups.
5. Ability to work with diverse populations.
6. Skill in working with various people in building collaborations, working with advisory committees, and managing and supporting volunteer-led programs.
7. Ability to organize tasks and work independently.
8. Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and evaluate effective programs.
9. Maintains professional currency in areas relevant to expertise.
10. Proficiency in use of word processing, spreadsheet and diet/nutrient software.
11. Demonstrated ability to interact with a broad range of constituencies and stakeholders within CAUSES and UDC as well as outside of the college and the university.
12. Demonstrated ability to exercise judgment, take initiative and exhibit creativity in implementing all responsibilities.
13. Knowledge or ability to become familiar with the land-grant system, its mission, goals and objectives.
14. Knowledge or ability to become familiar with federal funding agencies and local, regional and national stakeholder needs.

 
Information to Applicant

Condition of Employment:  This is a sponsored program appointment. The duration of this appointment is subject to grant fund availability.

Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-Union): This position is not in the collective bargaining unit.  

Employment Benefits: Selectee is not eligible to participate in the University’s benefits plan. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business,  or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business,  or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act.  In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act.  Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated.  Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

Veterans Preference:  Applicants claiming veterans preference must submit official proof at the time of application.

Residency Preference: The Residency Preference Amendment Act of 1988, D.C. Law 7-203, created a system in which provides that any applicant for employment in the Career or Educational Services who is a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia may claim a residency reference at the time of application. An applicant selected for an appointment based on District residency will be required to submit no less than eight (8) proofs of bona fide District residency. Bona fide District residency must be maintained from the date of appointment to the position for seven (7) consecutive years. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the (7) year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.

Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation.  The determination of a "satisfactory background investigation" is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia.  The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.

Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.

Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Human Resources Only.

Contact Information:  All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Human Resources at (202) 274-5020.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.