NourishSmart Program Coordinator

Overview The Program Coordinator will play a central role in implementing the NourishSmart and NourishEd food waste reduction initiatives, funded through the USDA and National 4-H Council. This position is responsible for coordinating systems-level food waste reduction activities across schools, afterschool programs, community partners, youth organizations, local farmers, and university units. The Program Coordinator will facilitate communication among internal and external partners, ensure smooth delivery of program strategies, manage project logistics, coordinate youth engagement activities, and support evaluation and reporting activities.The coordinator will directly support all three objectives of the grant:School and Afterschool Food Waste Reduction ActivitiesNourishEd Produce Recovery and Redistribution SystemsNourishSmart Statewide Youth Engagement, Leadership Development, and Career Pathways ProgramsThis position requires strong organizational skills, cultural competency, experience working with youth and diverse communities, and the ability to manage multi-site, multi-partner initiatives. This position is essential to accomplishing the project’s objectives and ensuring that Utah’s school communities and youth have the tools, resources, and support needed to reduce food waste and build a more resilient food system.Primary locations: Public school sites across Utah (classrooms, cafeterias/kitchens, multipurpose rooms), district offices, community centers, and university/extension offices.Office/remote work: Hybrid—mix of on-site school visits and desk-based administrative work (planning, reporting, data entry, email). In-State: This position is telework eligible within the state of Utah. Schedule: Primarily weekdays aligned with school hours; occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends for events, trainings, or community outreach. Responsibilities 1. Program Implementation & Coordination (Systems-Level Coordination)Support day-to-day implementation of all program objectives across school districts, afterschool programs, Extension partners, and statewide 4-H programming.Coordinate food waste audits, tool distribution, scheduling, site communication, and follow-up activities.Assist in co-creating and implementing school- or program-specific food waste reduction strategies (., share tables, donation pathways, composting systems, educational campaigns).Provide ongoing communication and support to school staff, cafeteria personnel, afterschool educators, and youth teams.Facilitate problem-solving and troubleshoot implementation challenges across sites.2. Youth Engagement & Leadership SupportSupport Utah 4-H faculty in planning and delivering youth workshops, leadership activities, and hands-on experiential learning.Coordinate the bi-monthly statewide Cookalong Kits program: kit assembly and distribution, Zoom logistics, follow-up communication, and participant tracking.Assist with Youth City Council workshops and statewide recruitment for career exploration events.Coordinate mentorship and leadership coaching activities in collaboration with faculty and career coaches.3. Partnership Development & Community EngagementCommunicate regularly with community partners including local farmers, food pantries, gleaning groups, Utah Farm to Fork, Wasteless Solutions, and other stakeholders.Support logistical coordination of produce recovery, gleaning events, donation partnerships, and food rescue systems.Maintain strong relationships with school district Nutrition Services departments.Assist in planning, staffing, and executing community workshops, conferences, and educational events.Public-facing role: Frequent interaction with educators, students, parents, food service staff, administrators, and community partners.4. Evaluation, Reporting, and Data ManagementSupport evaluation activities including pre/post food waste audits, tracking lbs of food wasted and recovered, youth participation metrics, and partnership outputs.Collect, clean, and organize audit data, workshop attendance logs, distribution data, and participant feedback.Work with the PI and evaluation team to prepare quarterly and annual reports for USDA and National 4-H Council.Maintain accurate records of all site activities, training sessions, and program results.Assist in writing success stories, impact summaries, and communications materials.5. Logistics, Operations, and Administrative SupportOversee purchasing and inventory for Cookalong kits, audit tools, produce boxes, and educational materials.Coordinate travel, meetings, trainings, and program events across multiple counties.Manage scheduling and communication with educators, Extension faculty, and community partners.Ensure grant compliance in all activities, including allowable costs, reporting, documentation, and communicationsTravel: Regular in-state travel (day trips and occasional overnights) to schools across multiple counties; driving required with mileage reimbursement per policy. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, public health, food systems, education, environmental science, sustainability, or related field.Experience coordinating programs or working in educational, community, or youth-serving environments.Strong project management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks with shifting deadlines.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including comfort working with youth, schools, community groups, and diverse populations.Commitment to equity, sustainability, and community-driven solutions.Ability to travel statewide and work occasional evenings or weekends for events.Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and virtual platforms (Zoom).Valid Utah driver’s license to perform essential job responsibilities, such as driving university vehicles forragular in-state travel.Comfort working around food preparation areas and following basic food safety protocols.Proficiency with standard office software (email, spreadsheets, presentations) and data tracking tools.Job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of school/district background checks per site requirements. Required Documents 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.** Advertised Salary 25.00/hour ADA Work EnvironmentEnvironment considerations: Exposure to typical school activity levels (noise, frequent interruptions); occasional work in kitchen/cafeteria settings with food service equipment present (warmers, coolers, dishwashing areas).Technology & equipment: Laptop, mobile phone, projector or portable A/V for trainings, printers/scanners, basic sampling/education kits, and PPE as needed (., gloves, hair nets in kitchens).Physical DemandsMobility: Ability to move between classrooms, cafeterias, and meeting spaces; stand/walk for extended periods during site visits, trainings, and events (up to 4–6 hours with standard breaks).Lifting & carrying: Lift, carry, and set up materials/education kits, boxes, and small equipment (typically 10–25 lbs; occasional items up to 40 lbs with assistance or carts).Setup/teardown: Repeated bending, reaching, and light physical tasks associated with event setup, displays, and classroom activities.Driving: Frequent local and regional driving to program sites; ability to sit for extended periods and safely operate a vehicle in varying weather conditions.Dexterity: Use of computer and devices for extended periods; fine motor tasks for materials preparation (., handouts, sampling kits).Sensory: Adequate vision and hearing to conduct trainings, observe classroom activities, and read documents; ability to work in environments with routine noise and kitchen odors.Mental & Emotional DemandsMultitasking & prioritization: Manage multiple sites, timelines, and stakeholders; coordinate schedules and deliverables across districts.Attention to detail: Maintain accurate records, track metrics, ensure compliance with program standards (food safety, FERPA-friendly practices, ethical data collection).Communication & facilitation: Present to varied audiences (students K–12, teachers, food service teams); adapt tone and content to different age groups and professional roles.Problem-solving: Respond to on-site challenges (schedule changes, supply issues, student needs) and adjust lesson plans or logistics accordingly.Cultural competence: Work respectfully and effectively with various communities; incorporate practices around food cultures, dietary needs, and language access.Resilience & composure: Maintain professionalism in dynamic school environments; navigate differing priorities among partners; handle feedback constructively.Confidentiality & ethics: Safeguard participant information and adhere to institutional and school district policies.Independence & collaboration: Balance autonomous field work with team collaboration, reporting, and stakeholder engagement. University Highlights Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.USU enrolls 28,900 students, both online and in person at Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. 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