Nutrition Education Associate

Nutrition Education Associate

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Job Location: Houston, Texas

Job Type: Staff

Proposed Minimum Salary: $18.71 hourly

About Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service EFNEP

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a flagship initiative of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, funded by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) since 1969. EFNEP serves young families and youth with limited resources across Texasthose most at risk for hunger, food insecurity, and lacking access to community support systems. Through locally delivered, evidence-based nutrition education, EFNEP empowers families and youth to make lasting improvements in diet quality, healthy habits, and overall well-being.

EFNEP classes are taught by paraprofessional educators, many of whom are bilingual, ensuring culturally relevant, accessible instruction both in person and virtually. Adult and youth programs utilize research- and practice-tested curricula, available in English and Spanish. Adult education focuses on nutrition, physical activity, food resource management, food safety, and food security, while youth education covers MyPlate, food groups, food safety, and physical activity, all aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards.

EFNEP collaborates with schools, faith-based organizations, housing authorities, shelters, parenting programs, and a variety of local agencies to identify and reach families in need. By partnering with these organizations, EFNEP is able to build strong, lasting community relationships and deliver impactful education where it is needed most. With data showing that 21% of Texas families with children under 18 live below the poverty level, EFNEP's mission is vital to communities across the state.

EFNEP is delivered through county extension offices located in ten urban communities: Bexar, Cameron, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Bend, Harris, Hidalgo, Nueces, Tarrant, and Travis Counties.

Working for EFNEP means joining a dedicated team committed to improving health outcomes for Texas families and youth. Staff members receive training, resources, and support to help empower participants with practical skills for healthier living. If you are passionate about nutrition education, community outreach, and creating meaningful change, consider becoming part of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service's EFNEP team.

Position Information

This position works in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program known as EFNEP. The Nutrition Education Associate, with training and supervision, teaches (in-person and/or virtually) about nutrition, food resource management, food safety, and physical activity in culturally sensitive and appropriate ways for adults and/or youth, for low-income audiences in various community locations.

This position is funded by a Federal grant and is therefore contingent upon availability of funds.

Note to Candidates: This position will start on or after October 19, 2026.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Recruits adults and/or youth who meet program guidelines.
• Uses research-based, approved educational materials to instruct youth and/or adults either in-person and/or virtually.
• Prepares food for recipes and instructs youth and/or adults through food demonstrations.
• Collects and tracks program data.
• Assists in mentoring and/or training Nutrition Education Assistants when needed.

Knowledge, Abilities, & Skills

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Proficient computer skills Microsoft Office programs Word and Power Point; Excel, etc.
• Working knowledge of Zoom and/or Microsoft Teams to conduct virtual lessons.
• Ability to communicate effectively with adults and/or youth.
• Ability to follow a curriculum including teaching and speaking publicly, strong communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, be self-motivated and give attention to detail and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to keep written logs of activities, complete reports, and organize materials.
• Familiar with the community where the position is located.

Education & Experience

• High School diploma or GED, additional education is not considered an advantage.
• Six months of related experience working with youth and/or adult audiences.
• Experience with low resource audiences and working cooperatively with support systems, networks, and agency programs available for low-income people/low resource audience.
• Knowledge or teaching experience related to nutrition, food safety, food resource management and physical activity topics, guidelines, and best practices.
• Experience teaching groups of people.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Must be willing to work necessary hours to fulfill job responsibilities (some evenings and weekends). Hours worked will not exceed 40 per week.
• This position will require daily travel to multiple work sites in county. Must be willing to travel to required trainings outside of county.
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service EFNEP does not provide transportation and the position requires access to reliable transportation. The agency will follow applicable policies if personal vehicle is used, which may include reimbursement at a pre-established rate.
• Must be able to lift, carry, and/or otherwise move instructional materials weighing up to 40 lbs from vehicle to work site and from work site to vehicle.

Preferred Registrations, Certifications, and Licenses:

• Valid driver's license.
• Current liability insurance.

What You Need to Know

Salary: $18.71/hour

Position Funding: This position is grant funded and availability is contingent on grant funding.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including the following:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

Applicant Instructions

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.