Program Associate – Nourish ME Nutrition Educator (HCCA)

MCD Global Health•Hallowell, ME

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

MCD Global Health, in collaboration with Healthy Communities of the Capital Area (HCCA), is seeking a Program Associate – Nourish ME Nutrition Educator to provide nutrition education and policy, systems, and environmental change expertise to community partners throughout southern Kennebec County, Maine. This hybrid remote position is based at HCCA's office in Hallowell, Maine. The position is full-time (40 hours per week) and eligible for MCD's comprehensive benefits package. This position is funded through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a five-year initiative funded by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to support rural population health innovations. In Maine, the Nourish ME component of the RHTP promotes population health through evidence-based nutrition education and public health interventions. The Program Associate will support the development of a sustainable nutrition education infrastructure for chronic disease prevention and management in Maine communities. This role will also implement evidence-based Food Is Medicine (FIM) strategies. Responsibilities include building and maintaining community partnerships, strengthening food access infrastructure, delivering nutrition education, and embedding Food Is Medicine approaches within both clinical and community settings. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, capable of working independently, and possess strong attention to detail. The position requires maintaining accurate records for reporting and evaluation purposes and collaborating closely with community partners, healthcare organizations, and public health stakeholders. Frequent travel throughout southern Kennebec County and the local service area is required, along with occasional overnight travel for statewide trainings and meetings. This position qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in health-related field is required; however, equivalent related work experience may be considered.
Ability to work collaboratively with diverse project partners, consumers, community partners, and providers of health and behavioral health care
Comfort and ability to present to and facilitate diverse audiences, including youth and older adults
Ability to work independently
Ability to meet deadlines
Ability to communicate professionally both verbally and in writing
Knowledge and skill in the management of data-driven projects
Ability to monitor and provide oversight of external local partners' progress towards deliverables
Ability to plan, coordinate, implement, and manage multiple activities at once
Flexibility to adapt to changing program needs
Ability to gather, synthesize, and summarize a variety of information from many sources
Experience developing error-free, audience-specific communication materials and messages including flyers, brochures, booklets, social media, etc.
Understanding of coalition-building strategies
Experience using Microsoft Office suite and Google Workspace
Valid Maine driver’s license and reliable transportation
Must be eligible to work in the United States

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a non-profit setting and with grant-funded projects is a plus.
Knowledge of evidence-based nutrition education and policy, systems, and environmental change strategies is a plus.
Preference given to Registered Dietitians, Public Health, and Nutrition professionals.
Experience delivering evidence-based nutrition education programs across the lifespan.
Experience with community centered public health interventions such as Food is Medicine.
Experience in developing policy, system, and environmental change strategies as public health interventions.

Responsibilities

Deliver evidence-based nutrition education curricula aligned with the RHTP Nourish ME goals related to chronic disease prevention and management.
Implement evidence-based Food Is Medicine public health approaches (e.g. medically tailored groceries, food pharmacies/pantries, F&V Rx, farmers’ market vouchers, gleaning, clinical referrals, and school-based health strategies) aligned with RHTP Nourish ME goals related to chronic disease prevention and management.
Engage with new and existing partnerships with community and clinical sites for implementation of sustainable FIM strategies.
Engage in outreach efforts to increase awareness of and participation in RHTP nutrition education services.
Coordinate with healthcare organization partners (e.g. hospitals, primary care practices, school-based health centers, and FQHCs) to support referral and enrollment into nutrition education programs.
Ensure program delivery maintains fidelity to evidence-based models while adapting appropriately to local community needs.
Support the development of sustainable nutrition education infrastructure across community and healthcare settings.
Participate in training, meetings, and appropriate professional development opportunities both in-person and online.
Ensure program implementation follows guidance as set by UNE.
Complete reporting and evaluation processes as set by CMS, Maine DHHS, and UNE.
Utilize written and electronic media for a variety of community awareness strategies, including promoting mass media campaigns issued by the state.
Provide technical assistance to community partners to develop model chronic disease prevention policies that support healthy environments, and that align with state laws.
Provide presentations and training (in person and virtually) to relevant partners and interest holders on evidence-based best practice strategies for chronic disease prevention.
Serve as a spokesperson for nutrition education and chronic disease prevention, and HCCA.
Work closely with HCCA Nourish ME Senior Program Associate and Finance Manager to assure project activity meets budgetary expectations.
Promote positive relationships between and among HCCA and all potential collaborating partners by meeting with various interest holders (schools, youth-serving organizations, healthcare facilities, age-friendly community groups, workplaces, behavioral health facilities, etc.) and offering support to develop comprehensive chronic disease prevention policies, and finding opportunities to network and establish new relationships with potential partners to expand or enhance HCCA’s Nourish ME program.
Be a member of HCCA’s team of public health professionals working collaboratively to implement primary prevention programming and supporting the organization’s broad public health goals.