Extension Agent I-Community Wellness Planners #498480
THE MSU Extension, Office of Nutrition Education is accepting applications for Extension Agent I-Community Wellness Planners (CWP). The CWP will be part of a team responsible for implementing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) in Mississippi. CWP's will teach youth and adults and implement community-based efforts to make healthy lifestyle choices more attainable and desirable. We are looking for highly motivated individuals with experience in food and nutrition, who are committed to making a difference in Mississippi.
MSU is an EOE
Minimum Qualifications:
1. Applicants must have earned a Bachelor's degree and a Verification Statement from a dietetics education program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Applicants who have a Bachelor of Science degree pending will be considered.
-OR-
Bachelor's degree plus four years of work experience in food, nutrition, human sciences, family and consumer sciences or education related field.
2. Applicants must have a 2.75 GPA on the last 60 hours of college coursework on a 4.0 scale or a Master's degree.
3. Applicants who have not completed a Master's degree must agree to complete a Master's degree within five (5) academic years of employment. Registered Dietitian (RD) credential may be substituted for the Master's degree requirement.
4. Applicant must establish and maintain a permanent residence in the county or an adjacent county in Mississippi where they serve within six (6) months of employment unless otherwise approved by the Extension Director.
5. Applicant must have ServSafe certification or ability to earn within six (6) months of employment.
6. Willingness to taste and promote new foods and the USDA Dietary Guidelines.
7. Applicant must maintain a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Preferred Qualifications:
•Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition or Family or Consumer Science.
•Food preparation experience and/or advanced food preparation skills.
•Demonstrated experience in leading nutrition programs, training and/or teaching limited resource audiences, including adults and youth.
•Demonstrated experience in project management.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1. Proficient with Microsoft suite, technology, communication and leadership skills.
2. Experience planning and implementing programs; working collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders, community organizations and/or Extension Agents and staff to reach limited-income populations.
3. Basic food and nutrition knowledge (function of nutrients and examples of foods and food groups abundant in those nutrients, background, purpose, and components of U.S. Dietary Reference Intakes, U.S. Dietary Guidelines, food labeling).
4. Willingness to support and teach the components of U.S. Dietary Reference Intakes, U.S. Dietary Guidelines, and food labeling.
5. Knowledge of major diet-related public health issues/chronic diseases and dietary prevention or management of these chronic diseases.
6. Knowledge of the benefits of regular physical activity as a means of prevention and management of public health issues including chronic diseases.
7. Advanced food preparation skills.
8. Excellent interpersonal skills and strong analytical and decision-making skills.
9. Ability to successfully communicate with limited resource audiences, including adults and youth.
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
•Varying environments include typical office setting, government offices, schools, churches, farms, gardens, kitchens, cooking demos in parking lots/rural/remote areas, etc.
•Frequent travel to and working in remote/rural areas in the community.
•Occasional overnight travel, evening, and weekend work.
•Physical effort/activity will be required, must be able to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted.
•Must be able to stand, bend, hop, skip, and/or jump for 15 minutes daily as part of the physical activity curricula.
•Must provide own transportation on a regular basis.