Jobs at Member Institutions & APLU

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, is searching for a community-engaged scholar to support the Community Food Systems working group within the Department of Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS) in Mercer County.  This tenure-track 12-month, 100% Extension-funded position offers an exciting opportunity for applied research in food security and developing new strategic and innovative initiatives in the areas of nutrition security and health equity. Reporting to the Chair of the Department of Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS), this position will provide leadership as a liaison between campus-based researchers at Rutgers University, the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and clientele and colleague groups such as local and state stakeholders. The Department has a strong interest in attracting diverse faculty and providing excellence in community engagement in accordance with the Rutgers Diversity Strategic Plan (https://diversity.rutgers.edu/university-plan) which is why we encourage candidates from diverse, underrepresented communities to apply.

NATURE & PURPOSE:

The mission of the Department of Family and Community Health Sciences, a department within the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and Rutgers Cooperative Extension and closely aligned with the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences’ land-grant mission, is to promote healthy lifestyles and environments for New Jersey residents and communities with an emphasis in areas related to nutrition, chronic disease prevention, health, and wellness.

This FCHS faculty position focuses on health promotion and reducing health disparities through direct and indirect education and implementing policy, systems, and environmental change strategies to improve food security and food access and address social determinants of health.  Representative responsibilities of this position will also include:

Applied Research (Extension Practice):

• Coordinate, conduct and publish the results of applied research related to:
  • innovation, equity, and regenerative practices for processing, and distributing responsibly produced, healthful food.
  • Effective strategies to improve community, family and individual food access and health outcomes, or other creative activities designed to address nutrition-related health problems in the community.
• Areas of emphasis may include any of the following: nutrition intervention programs focused on equitable food access and their impact on health status in populations disproportionately affected by food insecurity, communication and impact of science-based nutrition and health education programs on chronic disease risk factors among vulnerable populations, or differential impact of nutrition interventions on diverse and underrepresented populations.
• Strengthening relationships across Rutgers University to build and deliver innovative, cross-departmental, and cross-disciplinary health and wellness educational programs aligned with state and community-identified priorities.
• Share principles of evidence-based best practice with peers.

Teaching (Extension Teaching):

• Create, teach, and evaluate programs for public and professional audiences using both direct and indirect methods and a variety of delivery methods.
  • This includes providing information through print publications, web-based resources and in-person presentations, and serving as a resource for other cooperative extension academics.
• Apply community-engaged learning opportunities for students and interns. Responsibilities include recruitment, training, supervising, and supporting University efforts to expand opportunities for students, interns, and volunteers to gain hands-on, real-world experience.
• Recruit, train, and support volunteers, organizational partners, and others to assist in program delivery and support.

Service

• Contribute to the effective operation and impact of the assigned county cooperative extension office.
• Actively explore and contribute to opportunities to expand the statewide visibility and impact of Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
• Participate in professional society activities including presenting papers at national and international meetings.
• Review manuscripts and grant proposals in area of expertise.
• Establish productive working relationships with scientists and extension personnel in other states.
• Participate in appropriate Mercer County, FCHS Department, Cooperative Extension, and University committees or working groups.
• Cultivate collaborations and partnerships with community organizations throughout Mercer County.
• Continually seek professional development opportunities to enhance competency in subject matter area.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A Master’s Degree is required from an accredited institution in nutrition, public health, community education, or a related field. A minimum of three years of relevant work experience. A doctoral degree and/or credentialing as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist are preferred. Candidate must demonstrate excellence in written, oral, interpersonal, and information technology communication skills. The candidate should have a deep understanding of nutrition and/or public health and be able to design and implement a program that responds to community strengths, assets, and needs, and leads to positive changes and impact within the community and beyond. Additional position requirements include:

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with external and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to adapt as circumstances warranted.
• Willingness to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and humility, and ability to share complex information in a manner tailored to the audience.
• Experience working with diverse audiences and communities
• Experience establishing, leading, and/or serving partnerships and coalitions
• Experience and/or coursework in conducting community needs assessments, addressing social determinants of health, grant writing and management, and applied research
• Local, regional and (limited) statewide travel required; personal transportation required.

There is an expectation that FCHS faculty will continue to evolve and grow across their career and respond to changes in the communities they serve, and the health sectors set up to support them.

Other Information

To perform the functions of this position, the employee will be required to perform work both within an office and outside in the communities that are served and must have the capability to travel from one location to the other in a timely fashion. Employee is responsible for securing personal transportation. A valid driver’s license is preferred. Some work will be required during evenings and/or weekends.

SALARY:

Commensurate with experience.

BENEFITS:

Excellent personal benefits package, including 22 days of annual leave per year, health insurance, life insurance, and retirement program.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, military status or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. Individuals covered by Section 503 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 of Section 402 of the Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 may self-identify; please do so in the cover letter transmitting your curriculum vitae/resume. Employment eligibility verification required.

To learn more about Rutgers University, Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension and our employment opportunities, visit our website at: http://www.njaes.rutgers.edu/jobs/. Public Safety Information regarding public safety at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is available in the annual security report “Safety Matters.” This report may be viewed online at http://publicsafety.rutgers.edu

Selected candidate must pass a Criminal Background check, including fingerprinting.

RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WOMEN, MINORITIES, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AND VETERANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.