Position Function:
The Extension Agent Community Wellness Planner (CWP) will implement community-based policy, systems and environmental strategies necessary to make healthy lifestyle choices more attainable and desirable. The CWP will also educate youth and adults in nutrition and being active. We are looking for highly motivated individuals with experience in food and nutrition who are committed to making a difference in Mississippi.
Salary Grade: 14
Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Department Profile:
The office of Nutrition Education includes two federally funded programs, the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) for persons eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The programs, in collaboration with community partners, focus on preventing nutrition and physical activity-related chronic diseases, improving food security, and creating supportive environments to make healthy choices easier where people eat, live, learn, work, play, and shop.
Area of Specialization:
Nutrition Education
Anticipated Appointment Date:
March 2025.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•Demonstrates passion for helping to improve nutrition and health in limited resource communities.
•Inspires/motivates/empowers communities and individuals to make behavior changes to improve their nutrition and health.
•Works with Regional Registered Dietitian to conduct community-based nutrition and risk assessments with limited resource audiences.
•Builds relationships, encourages partnerships, and champions initiatives such as HappyHealthy Schools, Cooking Matters, farmers markets, farm to school, active living, community and school gardens, increasing access to nutritious foods, etc. to promote long-term policy, systems and environmental change and sustainability.
•Secures program opportunities with qualifying audiences and follows lesson plans of approved SNAP-Ed curricula (education focus areas include diet quality, physical activity, food security, food safety and food resource management).
•Uses available media to market programs and activities and to provide education in the assigned county.
•Actively demonstrates food preparation methods and physical activity (requires standing, bending, lifting, carrying, stooping).
•Communicates success stories and best practices with other Community Wellness Planners and Regional Registered Dietitian.
•Administers pre- and post-surveys to participants and enters program information into reporting system in an accurate and timely manner. Submits monthly itinerary and forms (procurement, travel, leave, time/effort, etc.) by designated deadlines.
•Participates in initial Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) training and any additional trainings. These in-depth trainings include nutrition education, curricula education, ServSafe certification (if not already certified), food preparation methods, physical activity, teaching methods, reporting techniques, policy and procedure, etc.
The Community Wellness Planner (CWP) will identify and organize information regarding clientele needs and assess the relevance, significance, and timeliness of identified needs in consultation with the Regional Registered Dietitian; develop an annual plan of work and measurable goals that adequately address identified needs; determine priorities, levels of effort, and scheduling to allow attainment of program goals; implement program plans; and evaluate program content, methods, and activities or program effectiveness and impact. The CWP will participate in local and state professional and civic organizations.
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, automobile insurance and reliable transportation.
Preferred Qualifications:
•Bachelor of Science in Food and Nutrition or Family and 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.
Instructions for Applying:
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
All applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu by submitting:
1. Completed professional application
2. Cover letter that includes which county or counties you are applying for
3. Resume
4. Name and contact information (address/phone number/email) for three (3) professional references
5. Current unofficial transcript* with any social security numbers redacted prior to submitting online; *official transcript, ACEND statement, and ServSafe certification will be required if selected for an interview.
For full consideration in the application process, applicants must submit all required documents as listed above through the MSU online hiring system. Review of applications will continue until the position(s) are filled.
Screening Date:
January 30, 2025, until filled.
Restricted Clause:
Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
