State: California
City: Chico and Redding
County: Butte & Shasta
Description:
The CalFresh Healthy Living Program (CFHL) is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles and improving the well-being of our communities through nutrition education and physical activity. We are seeking two passionate and motivated Garden Community Education Specialists to join our team and help us cultivate knowledge and skills in healthy living through gardening, nutrition and physical education. Our mission is to provide access to every possible nutritional resource that is available to those who are low income. CFHL is active in reaching out to the community and works with a number of local organizations and officials to spread the word about healthy living.As a Garden Community Education Specialist, you will perform a variety of public information, community education and program coordination activities that empower our community members to lead healthier lives. Your work will involve collaboration with various community partners, coordination of events, and development of educational materials to promote gardening, healthy eating and physical activity.
Examples of Duties:
- Program Planning & Evaluation: Plan, implement, and evaluate health education activities and programs related to gardening and nutrition.
- Data Collection & Analysis: Collect and analyze health-related data to inform program development and assess community needs.
- Coordination: Work closely with schools, organizations, and other programs to coordinate activities and leverage resources.
- Event Participation: Plan, conduct, and participate in special events, community meetings, focus groups, workshops, in-service training, conferences, and health fairs.
- Public Presentations: Prepare and deliver engaging presentations to diverse audiences, including the general public, schools, businesses, and professional groups.
- Educational Materials: Develop and utilize a variety of educational and promotional materials, including visual aids, brochures, newsletters, displays, news releases, advertisements, training materials, etc.
- Volunteer Coordination: Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers to assist with program implementation and community engagement.
- Media Engagement: Plan and conduct media events, participate in media interviews, and support promotional activities to raise program visibility.
- Advisory Boards: Serve on state or local advisory boards to provide insights and represent the Department’s interests.
- Community Representation: Represent the Department in community groups, coalitions, and collaboratives, fostering relationships and partnerships.
- Policy Support: Assist in the development and implementation of policies aimed at primary prevention and promoting healthy living.
- Documentation & Reporting: Write formal letters, meeting agendas, success stories, and public health summary reports; prepare and maintain reports documenting health education activities.
Salary:
Starting Pay Salary: $25.73 (Step A) - $27.30 (Step C)Minimum Employment Qualifications:
Required Skills/Abilities:Knowledge of: Principles and practices of nutrition and physical education, as well as environmental education, as they apply to public health. Methods and uses of mass communication, media, and social marketing. Statistical concepts and methods for collecting, compiling, and interpreting data. Principles, methods, techniques, theories, and practices of health education and public health. Underlying determinants of health and risk factors for disease principles and practices. Principles and practices of program management, including funding, development, training, and evaluating program quality and effectiveness. Knowledge of gardening practices, sustainable agriculture, and a basic understanding on how a hydroponic system works.
Ability to:
Plan, assign, supervise, and oversee the work of other personnel. Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills. Develop budgets, proposals, and grant applications. Establish and maintain effective working relationships. Provide leadership to community coalitions or collaboratives. Operate a personal computer and use common software (e.g., PEARS). Write or edit clear and effective reports, correspondence, and educational materials. Interpret health-related data and communicate it to the public in a meaningful way. Interpret federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and apply data relating to specific health issues (e.g., disease prevention, food security/insecurity, food waste, and increased intake of nutrient-dense foods). Implement, evaluate, or oversee community education or outreach programs or activities. Develop and conduct effective presentations or trainings for schools, professional, and community groups.
Design or review brochures, advertisements, and newsletters. Evaluate the effectiveness of programs.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree or 4 years of relevant work experience.
Environmental Factors and Conditions / Physical Requirements:
Ability to travel frequently to various locations. Ability to stand for extended periods during teaching, training, and food preparation activities. Strong verbal communication skills for talking, teaching, and training. Ability to prepare food, which may involve lifting, bending, and handling kitchen equipment. Proficiency in using a computer for data entry, report writing, and other tasks, including prolonged periods of sitting and typing. Capability to move and transport educational materials and equipment as needed. Visual and auditory abilities to perform tasks involving computer work and communication with others. Must be able to adhere to process protocol including safety. Moves equipment weighing up to 30 pounds. Ability to adhere to safety protocols and read a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling hazardous materials when treating a recirculating hydroponics system. Ability to prepare a meal with students using harvested crops from the garden, greenhouse and/or hydroponics system. Work with teachers to plan and organize and oversee that students are using tools safely and adhere to ServSafe food safety practices.