Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: Open to the Public

Position Status: Full-Time, Regular

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0095/301/08

Salary Range: $66,715

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Location: 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Brief Description of Duties

The Project Specialist for Health and Wellness reports to the Assistant Director of the Center for Nutrition, Diet and Health (CNDH), which is one of five land-grant Centers of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). Consistent with the Landgrant mission of CAUSES, the Project Specialist has three primary responsibilities: community outreach, research, and teaching. The Project Specialist for Health and Wellness designs, implements, manages and evaluates community education initiatives in health and wellness, nutrition, fitness and healthy lifestyles; implements research based programs and initiatives that improve health and wellness outcomes for residents in the District of Columbia; collaborates with community groups and agencies to advance program and research goals; and maintains professional competencies and skills required for professional practice. The incumbent must be a team player, work effectively and efficiently with diverse internal and external constituencies, ensure alignment of programs with the strategic objectives of CAUSES; perform all duties with a high degree of independence and efficiency; communicate effectively, work well under pressure of deadlines; 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, implements, and evaluates education programs and materials addressing identified family and community needs related to health, wellness, nutrition, food security and fitness.
2. Develops and implements health and wellness research and education programs in the schools and communities.
3. Uses a variety of delivery modes to provide educational programs and initiatives supported by research and evidence based results, including collaborations with other programs and universities.
4. Collects information and data on the impact of programming and regularly share information with program sponsors, advisory groups, and other appropriate stakeholders as directed.
5. Teaches one course per semester or its equivalent in landgrant certificates in Nutrition, Health and Wellness and Dietetics and serves as a preceptor for student and interns as needed.
6. Collaborates with DC agencies (incl. DCPS and charter schools) and other private, public and non-profit organizations to achieve health and wellness outcomes
7. Maintains professional competencies and skills required for professional practice. 
8. Uses a variety of needs assessment techniques to identify local needs and ensure cultural relevancy and age appropriateness of programs and initiatives.
9. Works collaboratively with other agencies and service providers to effectively address District of Columbia, DC Metro area, and national program priorities.
10. Fosters leadership development and offers opportunities for practicing and implementing leadership skills.
11. Maintains and completes required reports, program outcomes and achievements, and other documentation needed for program effectiveness and efficiency.
12. Demonstrates accountability for the proper use of individuals’ protected health information.
    
    OTHER DUTIES:
     
13. Works effectively and collaboratively with the Director, Assistant Director and program staff in CNDH, and other staff members in CAUSES and its landgrant and academic programs. 
14. Serves as a resource for educators, community groups, and agencies that serve families, individuals, and communities in the District of Columbia.
15. Facilitates public decision-making affecting families and provides public policy education when appropriate.
16. Monitors and evaluates neighborhood and District wide demographic trends for use in program and community development.
17. Assists in identifying funding sources and writing grants to expand and improve health and wellness programming and participates in interagency meetings, task forces, and projects as needed.
18. Performs other duties as assigned including special assignments related to nutrition, health and wellness related needs of the college and community.

Minimum Job Requirements

1. The incumbent will hold a Master’s degree (PhD preferred) from an accredited college or university in dietetics, nutrition, food science, public health, exercise science or a related field, or commensurate professional experience.
2. Registered dietitian (RD) with active registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and licensure as required by the District of Columbia; or equivalent licensure as appropriate to the incumbent’s professional field of practice.
3. A minimum of four years of experience in increasingly responsible community education positions, teaching experience in planned educational program preferred.
4. A demonstrated publication record and success in garnering extramural funding to support research preferred.
5. A proven commitment to continuous improvement and to proactive, outcomes oriented work in meeting the responsibilities and duties outlined in the position description.

Information to Applicant

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFSCME local 2087 and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through direct payroll deduction.

Employment Benefits: Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the University of the District of Columbia' s retirement plan (TIAA-CREF).

Equal Opportunity Employer: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

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 intra-family 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 may 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) 274-5380.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: http://www.udc.edu/equal opportunity/.