Community Assistant II

Rutgers University; New Brunswick (NJ); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription drug, and dental

Paid vacation and holidays

Competitive retirement benefits

Education benefits

Life insurance coverage

Employee discount programs

Job summary

Rutgers University-New Brunswick in Newark is seeking a Community Assistant II to deliver evidence-based nutrition education through the EFNEP program in Essex County. Travel via personal vehicle to worksites may be required; this grant-funded, full-time position emphasizes confidentiality, professionalism, and community engagement with diverse groups.

The role teaches nutrition, supports volunteers, and coordinates sessions for 4-15 adults and youth over at least 4 weeks; candidates should have

Qualifications

• Must read and write in English.
• Must have bilingual Spanish abilities.
• Willingness to work nights and weekends.
• Self-starter with strong time management and organizational skills.
• Able to interact with diverse groups respectfully.

Responsibilities

• Teach nutrition classes to adult and youth from limited-resource backgrounds.
• Conduct all class sessions as scheduled with site supervisor.
• Collect demographic and behavior data from participants.
• Educate using pre-approved nutrition curricula.
• Encourage youth to share learnings with families.
• Coordinate groups of 4–15 adults to meet ≥8 times over ≥4 weeks.
• Coordinate youth group activities to apply information learned.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish

English reading/writing

Time management

Team player

Self-starter

Evenings/weekends availability

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Valid driver's license

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Position Details

Recruitment/Posting Title: Community Assistant II

Job Category: URA-AFT Administrative

Department: EFNEP

Overview

The New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) is an integral component of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The experiment station provides a diverse range of research, extension, and education programs that serve the people of New Jersey and the urban, suburban, and rural communities in which they live. Through its Cooperative Extension offices in all 21 New Jersey counties, dedicated 4-H agents, Extension specialists, Family & Community Health Sciences educators, and Agriculture and Natural Resources agents work to serve New Jersey residents in every area of the state.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Community Assistant II for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). Reporting to the Program Associate I of the Essex County Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), the Community Assistant (CA) teaches research-based, behaviorally focused nutrition classes to both adult and youth limited-resource participants in Essex County. The goal of the education provided is to help program participants improve their food security, dietary quality, physical activity, and food safety behaviors. The CA supports volunteers and program staff who assist in the delivery of educational outreach. The successful candidate must maintain a professional demeanor and confidentiality at all times.

Among the key duties of the position are the following:

• Teaches limited-resource target audiences according to specific program qualifications and guidelines using pre-approved lessons and/or curricula, while maintaining a professional demeanor and maintaining confidentiality at all times.
• Conducts all class sessions for the duration contracted with the agency's site supervisor.
• Completes and collects all of the personal demographic and food intake/behavioral information needed from each participant enrolled in the program.
• Educates youth and adults using pre-approved nutrition curriculum.
• Encourages youth to share what they have learned with family members.
• Works with people from varied age groups and cultures.
• Assists the supervisor in organizing groups consisting of 4 to 15 qualifying adult participants to meet at least 8 times for a period of at least 4 weeks for the purpose of learning about food, its safe preparation, nutrition, and physical activity.
• Assists the supervisor in organizing youth groups for the same purposes as stated above, and helping youth apply the information to themselves and their families.

FLSA: Nonexempt

Grade: 09

Minimum Salary: 40349.480

Mid Range Salary: 46542.480

Maximum Salary: 52735.480

Offer Information: The final salary offer may be determined by several factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, experience, and expertise, and availability of department or grant funds to support the position. We also take into consideration market benchmarks, if and when appropriate, and internal equity to ensure fair compensation relative to the university's broader compensation structure. We are committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation packages to attract and retain top talent.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• Life insurance coverage
• Employee discount programs

Position Status: Full Time

Standard Hours: 35.00

Work Arrangement: Consistent with the current application of Rutgers Policy 60.3.22 or the applicable provisions of relevant collective negotiations agreements, this position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. Flexible work arrangements are not permanent, subject to change or discontinuation, and contingent on the employee receiving approval in the FlexWork@RU Application System.

Union Description: URA-AFT Administrative

Payroll Designation: PeopleSoft

Terms of Appointment: Staff - 12 month

Position Pension Eligibility: PERS

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED.

Certifications/Licenses

• A valid driver's license would be required for this position.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to read and write in English.
• Willingness to work nights and weekends.
• Self-starter.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• A team player with a demonstrated ability to respectfully interact with colleagues and supervisors from diverse and varied backgrounds.
• Willingness to accept direction and perform duties within programmatic constraints.
• Willingness to improve educational level.
• Expressed willingness to work with people (i.e., youth, adults, and seniors, as specified in job description).
• Understanding of the importance of keeping information given by participating families confidential.
• Strong familiarity with the community in which he/she will work.
• Willingness to learn and to work under and accept direction.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse, limited-resource audience.
• Bilingual in Spanish.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of video conferencing platforms (Zoom, Webex, Google Meets, Google Classrooms, Microsoft Teams).

Equipment Utilized

• Microsoft Office products (Outlook (email), and possibly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as needed).
• The Community Assistant may be asked to assist with data/information from nutrition classes in WebNEERS (a government supplied reporting system) and/or internal department data systems.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Ability to carry up to 35 pounds of demonstration supplies, presentation equipment, and class materials.
• *Willingness to use personal vehicle to travel to various worksites throughout the project's service area.

Special Conditions

• This is a grant-funded position, employment in this position is contingent upon the availability of funds. This position will expire once the grant has ended.
• Safe Driving Record.

Posting Details

Posting Number

26ST2007

Posting Open Date

10/28/2026

Regional Campus

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Home Location Campus

Off Campus

City

Newark

State

NJ

Pre-employment Screenings

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment screenings.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, Rutgers University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we encourage all qualified applicants to apply. For additional information please see the Non-Discrimination Statement at the following web address: http://uhr.rutgers.edu/non-discrimination-statement