Program Associate II - Community Nutrition, Wellness, Outreach, Education

Rutgers University; Freehold (NJ); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, prescription drug, and dental

Paid vacation and leave programs

Competitive retirement benefits

Educational benefits

Job summary

Rutgers University, through the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, seeks a Program Associate II – Community Nutrition, Wellness, Outreach, Education for Monmouth County. The role coordinates educational events, teaches nutrition education, and collaborates with county partners to promote healthy lifestyles.

The position supports program planning, promotion, and evaluation with a focus on diverse communities in New Jersey.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in nutrition, health education, public health or related field.
• Experience teaching nutrition education and implementing health and wellness programs.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan, conduct, and evaluate educational events to promote health and wellness in Monmouth County.
• Present nutrition and wellness education in-person and virtually via Zoom, WebEx, and social media.
• Develop new educational opportunities to expand FCHS programs at schools and community sites.
• Prepare internal and external reports and forms for the project in a timely fashion.
• Manage program recruitment and partnerships with agencies and organizations.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Bilingual Spanish (preferred)

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Program Associate II - Community Nutrition, Wellness, Outreach, Education

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. As the health and wellness component of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, the Department of Family & Community Health Sciences ( FCHS ) promotes healthy lifestyles and environments for NJ residents and communities with outreach in food, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles. Recognized nationally for its work, FCHS connects Rutgers University and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station to communities beyond the campus to build healthy families, schools, and communities. Based locally, in each county, FCHS supports efforts to meet the health and wellness challenges facing communities throughout the state through engaged civic learning, volunteerism, service, community-based research, education, and integrated efforts and partnerships.

Posting Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey is seeking a Program Associate II – Community Nutrition, Wellness, Outreach, Education for the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station ( NJAES ), Rutgers Cooperative Extension. The successful candidate(s) for this position will coordinate educational events and programs for the Monmouth County FCHS Department with moderate supervision at a self-motivated pace that supports the needs of the department. This position includes aspects of teaching, program planning, promotion, implementation, and evaluation; utilization of a variety of program delivery modes; recruitment, screening, training, supervision of volunteers; program marketing and public relations; resource development; and creation and support of needs-based programs that target diverse audiences in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The goal of the education provided by this position is to help program participants improve their food security; dietary quality; physical activity; and food safety behaviors. The PA II recruits and works with agencies willing to host program(s). Further, the PA II is responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal outreach and budget guidelines regarding all activities that occur within the project. The PA II is responsible for various reports designed to document the successes. Further, the PAII serves on appropriate boards and councils in the community to maintain a strong presence for the FCHS. The successful candidate serves as a role model for his/her volunteers and always maintains a professional demeanor and confidentiality.

• Plans, conducts, and evaluates appropriate educational events to support the FCHS mission to promote health, wellness, and physical activity throughout Monmouth County under the direction of the Monmouth FCHS Agent.
• Presents and provides FCHS nutrition and wellness education assistance in all aspects of the program, including teaching in-person and virtually using various modalities such as Zoom, WebEx, Social Media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram and print and electronic media.
• Supports and implements existing programs such as the Work Well, Wellness in the Workforce initiative and various other wellness efforts.
• Develops new educational opportunities to expand FCHS programs at schools, agencies, and other county locations.
• Prepares appropriate and accurate internal and external reports, paperwork, and forms for the project in a timely fashion.
• Implements administrative aspects of the project and conducts project evaluation.
• Maintains professional demeanor in managing intra- and extra- office interpersonal relations, communications, and workflow.
• Utilizes proper chain of command to communicate unit successes and challenges.
• Manages recruitment of additional agencies and organizations for program implementation and support existing partnerships.
• Evaluates all training programs in accordance with departmental, county, state and university program policies and procedures.

FLSA

Nonexempt

Grade

Grade 03

Salary Details

Minimum Salary

Minimum Salary 52602.480

Mid Range Salary 64788.980

Maximum Salary

Maximum Salary 76975.480

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

Working Hours

Standard Hours

Standard Hours 37.50

Daily Work Shift

Day

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

ABP

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent combination of education and /or relevant experience in nutrition (preferred), health education, public health, nursing, allied health, health sciences, biology or biological sciences, social work, urban studies/community development, or related discipline.

Certifications/Licenses

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in Spanish and English (read, write, speak). Fluency in reading, writing, and speaking will be assessed as part of the interview process.
• Experience implementing community health promotion and behavior change programs.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Experience working with diverse groups/clientele, limited resource audience.
• Demonstrated experience teaching nutrition education and implementing health and wellness related programs.
• Highly proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Ability to lift 25 lbs.
• Ability to carry program materials and supplies, including audio-visual equipment.
• Ability to arrange set-up of class space (move tables and chairs).
• The individual must successfully complete Rutgers Youth Protection and Serv Safe Food Handler Training.

Special Conditions

• This position is located in the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Offices of Monmouth County.
• Safe Driving Record.

Posting Number

26ST1710

Posting Open Date

09/11/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

Regional Campus

Home Location Campus Off Campus

City Freehold

State NJ

Location Details 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

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent combination of education and /or relevant experience in nutrition (preferred), health education, public health, nursing, allied health, health sciences, biology or biological sciences, social work, urban studies/community development, or related discipline?
  • Yes
  • No