Massachusetts Healthcare Jobs

CHICOPEE Nutrition Specialist The Nutrition Specialist will use Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) strategies with Food Bank member agencies across the four counties of Western Massachusetts to identify and implement nutrition initiatives based on Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP) program and Healthy Eating Research guidelines (HER) to help influence participants? healthy food choices and physical activity habits. This position requires extensive travel throughout the four counties of Western Massachusetts, and there is work in the office. Some work can be done from home if desired. The job description is below and the starting pay for this position is \$27.97/hour with a \$1.50/hour differential for confirmed Spanish proficiency. In addition to a great work environment, we offer a retirement plan with employer match, 80% Food Bank paid health insurance, 14 days of paid vacation to start, 12 paid holidays, 10 paid sick days, and excellent dental coverage. The Food Bank is an equal-opportunity employer that celebrates diversity and is committed to an inclusive environment for all its contracted workers, employees, and volunteers. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Work directly with member agencies to help them develop strategies to implement client choice models at their food pantry or meal site. Develop plans with pantries and meal sites to help staff and volunteers set up signage and product displays for healthful eating and nudges toward assisting clients toward more nutritious intake. Collaborate with food pantries to implement the Supporting Wellness at Food Pantries (SWAP) program to improve participants\' food choices. Train volunteers and staff at sites to maintain SWAP program and nutrition standards. Collaborate with Food Operations to implement and maintain SWAP Nutrition Guidelines to promote healthy options through categorizing the food we distribute. Work with Food Operations and Agency Relations staff to provide recipes to help distribute unfamiliar or less popular products and produce items for improved flow of inventory. Coordinate and conduct audience-specific nutrition activities for Food Bank member programs, their staff, and clients including food samplings, recipe distributions, and outreach. Assist with supervision of interns and volunteers Create and distribute newsletters, handouts, recipes and online resources for member agencies. Collect data through participant surveys and input event data into the SNAP-ED Program Evaluation and Reporting System (PEARS) OTHER RESPONSIBLITIES Represent the Food Bank at various community meetings and events Attend nutrition-related meetings at the Food Bank and in the community Collaborate with the Food Bank farm staff on nutrition education activities WORKING CONDITIONS Must be able to lift and carry 25 pounds Requires extensive travel throughout the four counties of Western Massachusetts with office work and also some opportunities for working from home, if desired. JOB SPECIFICATIONS/ REQUIREMENTS Bachelor\'s degree in nutrition. Background in health, nutrition, or community education Experience developing programs or initiatives Excellent writing skills Proficiency in Windows, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Microsoft Office 1- 2 years of nutrition-related work experience, especially as related to food insecurity Ability to work well with individuals and families from a wide variety of ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds Reliable transportation JOB PREFERENCES Awareness of multicultural dietary needs and cultural norms Spanish proficiency Additional related work experience