Nutrition Instructor (part-time, temporary)

Job Description

Job Description

MISSION
Our mission is to  support strong children, strong families, and strong communities .

VISION


At Martha’s Table, we believe that every Washingtonian deserves the opportunity to stay and thrive.  

ABOUT MARTHA’S TABLE

At Martha’s Table, we believe that every Washingtonian deserves the opportunity to thrive. For over forty years, we have worked to support strong children, strong families, and strong communities by increasing access to quality education, health and wellness, and family resources.

Together, we are “One MT.”  This means we work across all three of our locations to support our shared mission. In all that we do, we exemplify our four core values of respect, compassion, teamwork, and accountability. These values -- and our commitment to “the MT Experience” -- guide how we engage with the communities we stand alongside and how we work together as a team. When you come to Martha’s Table -- as a guest or as a team member -- you are valued and you deserve our very best.

In order to be the best version of MT, we are deeply committed to equitable practices. We apply the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion in providing programming and services; in creating our Board; in partnerships and procurement; and in hiring, training, and advancing our team members.

We invest in our team members’ personal and professional goals through our “STEP” program, which includes tuition for continuing education, certifications, and professional development; funding to unlock financially held transcripts; and flexible leave options.

 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Joyful Nutrition Instructor (part-time, temporary) works 25-29 hours/week implementing a cooking and nutrition education curriculum with elementary students. This includes hands-on cooking classes and organization of lessons for young audiences in a classroom setting. The qualified individual will be comfortable working in the public school setting, cross-collaborating with Martha’s Table program staff and school partner personnel to design, carry out, and execute cooking and nutrition classes with students in the classroom. 

The Joyful Nutrition Instructor (part-time, temporary) will play a pivotal role in the launch of a new school-based nutrition education and healthy food access program. The qualified individual will be key in building stronger connections between students and families to support healthy eating and cooking education.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide direct hands-on education to elementary students using a provided curriculum in assigned school(s).
• Maintain a strong understanding of the unit curriculum and execute as instructed.
• Design and produce teaching and visual aids for classroom lessons (as applicable)
• Inspire, engage, and connect with children in the classroom.
• Manage class schedule in coordination with school staff and the Joyful Food team.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and attention to detail to manage and communicate classroom inventory and supply records.
• Transport all classroom supplies, materials, and food from Martha’s Table office to the partner school.
• Organize, prep, set up, and break down all cooking lessons.
• Manage classroom needs related to ingredient needs, cleanliness, food safety, etc.
• Support the planning, implementation, and execution of the program through collaboration with Martha's Table team members, partner school staff, participant parents, and others, using written and verbal correspondence to ensure program adherence at assigned schools.

• Collaborate with the Joyful Food Market team, school staff and administrators, and volunteers in assigned schools to support the school community's needs and ensure a healthy and safe environment.

• Maintain awareness of and participate in school events and relevant community events (as applicable)

• Be available to attend school staff meetings and/or parent/teacher meetings (as needed and appropriate). 

• Available to work some evenings quarterly to host group family nights and/or support school family events.

• Accurately complete tracking and reporting by set deadlines.

• Support program evaluation and implement improvement strategies.

• Orient, train, and lead school staff and volunteers to cook with students in the classroom (as applicable)

• Attend all required training.

• Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• Strong classroom and behavior management skills, including adaptability, empathy, cultural humility, and patience.
• Knowledge of fundamental cooking techniques (i.e., following a recipe, food safety and sanitation, measuring, using a knife safely)
• A passion for cooking, nutrition, and/or wellness and enthusiastically shares their knowledge with others
• Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated ability to work well with others
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating a high degree of integrity, reliability, accountability, and initiative
• Collaborative in nature and strives to build authentic relationships to achieve a common goal
• Excellent presentation skills - comfortable presenting to large groups and encouraging participation
• Strong organizational and attention to detail to manage classroom needs proactively.
• Ability to work independently and manage daily work
• Proactive approach to problem solving and decision-making
• Ability to anticipate next steps, pivot easily, and be adaptable to unexpected challenges or needs
• Appreciation and inclusion of diverse cultures which offer unique opportunities for education and connection.
• Values a growth mindset: self-reflective and learns from mistakes, welcomes feedback as an opportunity to learn, finds inspiration from others, embraces challenges, and is willing to ask questions or ask for help
• Digital literacy proficiency to monitor and use daily email, team communications, online reporting tools, etc.
• Proficient with Google Suite tools
• 2+ years of experience working in an education setting with children

EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Obtain a food handling certificate within the first 30 days of employment.
• Possess a driver’s license with an acceptable driving record required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Daily exposure to children and people in a school and kitchen environment
• Work is performed in a highly active environment with exposure to a wide variety of challenges, deadlines, and a diverse employee and client population.
• The position requires manual dexterity sufficient to use kitchen tools (i.e., knives), operate a computer, and other office and kitchen equipment.
• Moderate physical activity. Requiring general movement and the ability to lift 30 pounds.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop; kneel; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
  
  
  

COVID-19

Martha's Table requires all team members to have:

• 2 doses of either Pfizer o