Govt. USDA - Commodities Food Educator - Closes: 10-20-2026

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Commodities Food Educator, under the direction of the USDA Director, is responsible for developing nutrition education courses, conducting teaching seminars, and advising the nutritional policies and practices for our organization to individuals and families who are eligible for the USDA Food Distribution Program or SNAP program. The Commodities Food Educator will teach on a one-to-one basis or in small groups in formal and informal class settings. They will also be required to consult with clients and perform dietary assessments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Plans and implements nutrition education/nutrition promotion services as defined in the funded grant program.
• Conducts interdisciplinary community and individual nutrition education needs assessments and makes client and community nutrition plan recommendations to the FDPIR director and FNS.
• Assess client needs and develop nutrition education plans.
• Consults with individual clients to implement an approved nutrition plan as directed.
• Meeting with clients for feedback and assessment.
• Implements nutrition education programming for youth and adult populations.
• Provides nutrition education in-service training for staff as needed.
• Develop FDPIR Nutrition education materials as needed: newsletters, brochures, flyers, and conference and workshop materials.
• Keeping up to date with the latest trends and developments in nutrition and education with FNS.
• Maintains required program activity records and reports.
• Prepares presentations, leads group events, and organizes and chairs meetings as directed.
• Individualized education to meet the interests and abilities of special needs clients.
• Maintains an extensive knowledge of available community resources and refers clients to appropriate agencies or gives clients the tool to use to reference.
• Teaches individuals to prepare low-cost meals, how to store and prevent waste.
• Counsels individuals and groups on basic rules of commodities food good nutrition, health eating habits and nutrition monitoring

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Attends all required Nutrition Education in-service training activities.
• Serves as a resource to assist individuals and other professionals or communication as needed.
• Coordinates coalition groups and committees as needed.
• Creates media releases and coordinates publicity for programs, events, and related activities.
• Travel to seven-county service area to provide nutrition education
• Travel to USDA Food and Nutrition Services meetings.
• Maintains strict confidentiality standards.
• Submits monthly, quarterly and annual reports.

CONTACTS:

Immediate peers, peers in other departments, immediate supervisor manager, managers in other departments, customers, outside vendor/service providers, and external nutrition education providers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position light with lifting 20 pounds and frequent lifting/carrying up to 10 pounds. Physical factors include constant use of hearing, smell, near/midrange/far vision, depth perception, color/field of vision; frequent standing, walking, sitting, typing; occasional carrying/lifting, pushing/pulling, climbing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, manual handling, travel to other work sites, travel and bending. Working conditions include frequent exposure to weather, extreme heat/cold, wet/humidity, noise, and occasional exposure to air quality. Potential hazards include constant computer use, frequent client contact, and exposure to electric shock and equipment

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: High school Diploma or equivalent .  

Experience: Minimum of five years of food preparation and nutritional cooking experience required. Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) is preferred.

Certification/License: Food Safety SERV Safe Certification required within 30 days of hire. Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Must comply with annual driver’s license review and insurability standards with the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Must comply with the Sault Tribe’s Drug-Free Workplace Policy which may include random drug tests.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Must be able to use word processing, spreadsheet, and database software including knowledge of standard safe and healthy work procedures. Knowledge of HIPAA standards and regulations is required. Knowledge of national, state, and local nutrition education resources is preferred. Must be able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in a diverse range of audiences and settings. Must have excellent communication skills and be sensitive to cultural and economic diversity. Must have excellent organization skills, work organization, prioritizing tasks, and time management. Must be able to work with minimal to no supervision. Must establish and maintain effective communication with co-workers, supervisors, and the general public. Must be able to be sensitive to the cultural dimensions of nutrition education in Native American communities. Must be flexible and available to work various shifts.

Must maintain confidentiality. Native American preferred.

This job description outlines the general scope and level of responsibilities associated with the position. It is not intended to be an employment contract, nor does it represent a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or requirements. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians reserves the right to modify, add, reassign, or combine job duties or positions, in whole or in part, at any time.