Extension Educator in Penn State Extension Food, Families, and Communities Unit
About The Position
Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences seeks an Extension Educator trained in community nutrition or health education and/or food science to join the Food, Families, and Communities Unit. The position works with Extension program teams to identify human health and food safety issues, develop educational events and materials, and use evaluations to assess program success. The educator delivers virtual programs statewide and in-person programs in Lebanon County, and supervises part-time staff and volunteers who teach nutrition and food preservation programs. The role calls for a general understanding of nutrition, diet, and human health issues related to food, food safety, and community education. The educator collaborates across disciplines, departments, colleges, and institutions; works with university faculty and staff on applied research relevant to audience needs; and contributes to a diverse external funding portfolio, including grants, contracts, cost recovery, and development. The educator develops original content and engages audiences through online courses, videos, mobile apps, electronic and traditional publications, and in-person presentations. Programming aims to improve health and well-being, reduce chronic disease and foodborne illness risks, and support healthier food choices, food resource management, self-sufficiency, and lower health care costs. The position is based in Lebanon County at 2120 Cornwall Rd #1, Lebanon, PA 17042. Funding is for one year; continuation depends on university need, performance, and/or funding availability. The role requires operating a motor vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check and required background clearances.
Requirements
- Master’s degree and at least 3 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- ServSafe Training Certification is required.
- Basic knowledge of and commitment to food and agriculture.
- Effective verbal and written communication, teaching, interpersonal, and supervision skills.
- Ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and clientele and work as an active team member.
- Strong organization and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Ability to carry equipment, educational materials, and supplies, with or without accommodation, and ability to travel.
- Valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check.
- Completion of required PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check.
- Must be authorized to work in the United States; Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of staff employment visas.
Nice To Haves
- Degree(s) in nutrition science, food science, health education or promotion, family and consumer sciences, or a related discipline.
- Registered dietitian credentials or a certified health education specialty.
- Related teaching experience in education.
- Experience or ability to apply cultural and ethnic principles in Extension.
- Ability to communicate in Spanish.
- Experience or skills in teaching, curriculum development, evaluation, supervision of program assistants, grant management, report writing, leadership development, and proficiency with computer software such as Microsoft programs.
Responsibilities
- Work with Extension program teams to identify important human health and food safety issues.
- Develop educational events and materials and use evaluations to measure program success.
- Deliver virtual programs statewide and in-person programs in Lebanon County.
- Supervise part-time staff and volunteers who teach nutrition and food preservation programs.
- Collaborate across disciplines, departments, colleges, and institutions, and work with university faculty and staff on applied research relevant to audience needs.
- Participate in developing a diverse external funding portfolio, including grants, contracts, cost recovery, and development.
- Develop original educational content using methods such as online courses, videos, mobile apps, electronic publications, traditional publications, and in-person presentations.
- Provide educational programming intended to improve human health and well-being and reduce chronic disease and foodborne illness risks.
- Operate a motor vehicle as part of job duties.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- Retirement plans.
- Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time.
- 75% tuition discount for employees and eligible spouses and children.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
