Program Coordinator I

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Kentucky is seeking a Teaching Kitchen Outreach Coordinator to advance hunger relief efforts through hands-on education, volunteer engagement, and program coordination. The coordinator will build relationships with campus and community partners, support hands-on educational programs, oversee Campus Kitchen volunteers, and maintain accurate program and food‑safety records.

This role requires strong organizational and leadership abilities, with a focus on program tracking and

Qualifications

• Experience in a non-profit setting.
• Experience working with student volunteers.
• Customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate community outreach initiatives with campus and community partners.
• Train and supervise Campus Kitchen volunteers and promote ongoing participation.
• Facilitate educational programming with departmental personnel.
• Monitor compliance with safety standards and maintain program records and metrics.
• Record and collate participation and outcomes data for Campus Kitchen programs.
• Provide administrative support for the Homebased Micro‑processing program.

Skills

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Communication skills

Leadership

Volunteer supervision

Recordkeeping

Customer service

Job description

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

Lifting, pushing, pulling up to 25 lbs, working in kitchen environment, standing, talking, walking on a regular basis.

Shift

Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm: and 40/hours per week.

Job Summary

Help Turn Food Education and Community Engagement into Meaningful Action

The University of Kentucky is seeking a Teaching Kitchen Outreach Coordinator to join the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition. This position supports Teaching Kitchen programs and advances efforts addressing hunger and food insecurity through community outreach, experiential learning, volunteer engagement, and program coordination. The coordinator will build relationships with campus and community partners, support hands‑on educational programs, oversee Campus Kitchen volunteers, and maintain accurate program and food‑safety records.

What You’ll Do

• Coordinate community outreach initiatives and collaborate with campus and community partners to provide hands‑on experiential learning, leadership, and volunteer opportunities.
• Train and supervise Campus Kitchen volunteers, promote ongoing participation, and support initiatives related to hunger and food insecurity.
• Facilitate educational programming in collaboration with departmental personnel, including AFE field trips, Locally Chopped, and Farm‑to‑Fork programs.
• Monitor compliance with personal safety, food safety, and operational standards while maintaining accurate program records and metrics, including temperature logs, recovered food data, meals delivered, and volunteer hours.
• Record and collate participation and outcomes data for Campus Kitchen programs.
• Provide administrative support for the Homebased Micro‑processing program, including recipe review, correspondence with community members, and training coordination.
• Model excellent customer service and the college’s standards of excellence, competence, respect, flexibility, communication, and learning

What You’ll Bring

• Strong organizational, interpersonal, project management, and communication skills.
• Ability to interact positively and professionally with campus and community members.
• Strong computer skills and attention to accurate recordkeeping and program tracking.
• Leadership skills and the ability to train and supervise volunteers.
• Commitment to professional development, continuous learning, and excellent customer service.
• 1 year of related experience

What’s In It for You

• The opportunity to contribute directly to programs addressing hunger and food insecurity while creating meaningful experiential learning and volunteer opportunities.
• Opportunities to expand professional knowledge through training, classes, and seminars.

Why Now?

Effective Teaching Kitchen and Campus Kitchen programming depends on strong community partnerships, engaged volunteers, consistent educational experiences, and accurate operational oversight. This role brings those elements together to help sustain programs that address food insecurity while creating hands‑on learning opportunities.

By coordinating outreach, educational programming, volunteer engagement, food‑safety practices, and program reporting, the Teaching Kitchen Outreach Coordinator helps ensure these initiatives continue to serve campus and community participants effectively.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Experience working in a non‑profit setting, experience working with student volunteers

Preferred Education/Experience

Experience working in a non‑profit setting, experience working with student volunteers skills, customer service skills ,

Deadline to Apply

11/06/2026

Our University Community

We value the well‑being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre‑employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No