Join the USU Extension Create Better Health (Utah’s SNAP-ED program) and be a part of a comprehensive program dedicated to supporting low-income individuals and families in your community!

Create Better Health (SNAP-Ed) provides three main services:

• Virtual and in person direct nutrition education focusing on basic nutrition, culinary skills, and physical activity
• Policy, System, and Environment (PSE) projects focusing on collaborating closely with community partners to improve access to healthy food and safe physical activity opportunities.
• Social Marketing initiatives to teach healthy concepts through social media, community wellness challenges, social marketing campaigns, etc.

Create Better Health provides services to both youth and adults in both online and face-to-face settings, focused on meeting the current needs of the community and contingent upon current conditions of federal, state, and local requirements.

In addition to serving the community, the Create Better Health workforce is set up as a dynamic workforce development system. Ambassadors in the program are encouraged to have a continuous growth mindset and are provided skill development, certification, networking, and resume development throughout the time with Create Better Health. A series of levels are available to these interested ambassadors, leading to a professional level readiness and connection by the time they reach the top level.

All new ambassadors are hired as apprentices and upon completion of the onboarding training and mentorship.  They will be eligible to receive their first pay raise and become a certified ambassador.

We are seeking a qualified individual in San Juan County to join our Create Better Health team part-time (approximately 20 hours per week, subject to available grant funding) as an ambassador of Create Better Health.

This person will be responsible for working with their supervisor to run the Create Better Health services and report their impacts routinely. Preferably, candidates should have familiarity with SNAP procedures, county dynamics, and local community food distribution sites and food security efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain partnerships with relevant agencies to effectively implement PSE efforts and set up direct education classes.
• Engage and educate participants, ensuring alignment with federal guidelines and program objectives.
• Participate in state-wide social marketing efforts.
• Adhere to grant policies, protocols, and procedures integral to SNAP-ED's grant-funded status. The state office will provide guidance to each county to support this adherence.
• Conduct mandatory evaluations with each program activity and report in the PEARS evaluation portal in a timely manner.

This role requires a self-motivating, proactive approach in engaging partners and clients, coupled with a commitment to meeting federal guidelines. The SNAP-ED program operates within the framework of grant funding, making adherence to policies, protocols, and procedures essential.

If you're passionate about making a positive impact in the community, are committed to promoting health and nutrition education, have a continuous growth mindset, and meet the qualifications of the position, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities:

Teaching and Education:

• Deliver established and approved Create Better Health curriculum covering basic nutrition, food safety, food budgeting, and physical activity education to groups eligible for SNAP benefits.
• Conduct face-to-face classes aimed at low-income individuals and families.

Cultural Competency and Community Engagement:

• Effectively communicate and engage with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Commit to providing culturally relevant services.
• Work with community partners to enhance healthy food access and physical activity opportunities within the county (PSE work).

Program Management and Reporting:

• Ensure the healthy choice is easily accessible for clients.
• Continue employment based on performance, need, and available grant funding.
• Operate under the supervision of a County Extension supervisor.
• Adhere to Create Better Health (SNAP-Ed) policies and procedures.
• Provide accurate and timely reports and evaluation data to the state office.

Outreach and Partnerships:

• Recruit program participants through various channels like personal contact, advertising, social media, and collaborating with agencies like DWS.
• Plan and coordinate with various organizations and agencies, including USU, DWS, WIC, local health departments, senior centers, schools, churches, and community organizations.

Resource Awareness and Event Facilitation:

• Familiarize clients with available community resources, including DWS, WIC, food banks, Extension programs, etc.
• Facilitate workshops at public events like farmers' markets, county fairs, and other community gatherings.
• Support statewide social marketing initiatives.

Compliance and Professional Development:

• Attend annual week-long training with the state-wide team
• Understand and adhere to USDA and USU guidelines.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with the code of conduct required by DWS.
• Keep certifications and training up-to-date.
• Utilize multiple platforms for program delivery (e.g., social media, live classes, zoom, face-to-face).
• Continuously learn and develop skills, progressing through the leveled workforce program.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Personal internet access and comfortable using computers, tablets, and smart phones.
• Car and current insurance, a valid driver's license, or access to transportation to provide services to participants. Mileage will be reimbursed.
• Technical skills for communication, reporting, and planning using digital platforms.
• Willingness and ability to continuously improve and adapt to changes in federal requirements.
• Works well with people
• Willingness to keep accurate and up to date recording of work

Preferred Qualifications:

• Understanding of Create Better Health and SNAP-Ed
• Experience in health and/or nutrition education

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV” 
2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application  

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work each department performs. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, in an office space, event space, or public space are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing).

Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Additionally, indoor or outdoor work environments may include being confined or in narrow spaces for periods of time. The incumbent may also be exposed to loud noises or vibrations from equipment, and conditions that may affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

*updated 04/2024

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023