EFNEP Nutrition Assistant, Shawnee County

The Extension Nutrition Program, within KState Extension, is hiring a full-time Nutrition Assistant to serve Shawnee County. This position reports to the Shawnee County EFNEP extension agent.

Nutrition assistants provide health education to pregnant women and families with young children who have limited financial resources. They support the goals of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP): to promote healthy lives through hands-on, relationship-driven education.

This position requires strong social skills to effectively recruit and retain program participants and develop collaborative partnerships with community agencies.

Key Responsibilities:

Planning and preparation

• Work with colleagues and community partners and to plan curriculum-based health education events and activities.
• Prepare for events (for example: buying and preparing food for a cooking demonstration).
• Manage time and resources appropriately.

Teaching

• Teach clients (in groups and individual meetings) about topics like food preparation, food safety, food resource management, nutrition, and physical activity.
• Solve problems and adapt to new situations that arise while working with clients.
• Communicate and interact appropriately with clients from all backgrounds.

Reporting

• Collect and record clients' responses to health questionnaires to assess needs and behaviors.
• Submit accurate and timely records to track program activities and participants' progress on program outcomes.

Recruiting and networking

• Be aware of community resources and services that may benefit EFNEP clients.
• Build relationships with other agencies to recruit clients and expand the program.
• Encourage eligible families to enroll in EFNEP. Recruiting opportunities will include demonstrations, group presentations, individual contacts, and printed materials.

Professional development

• Attend training events, meetings and conferences to improve health and nutrition knowledge, teaching practices and record keeping skills.

This appointment is a limited-term position and is contingent upon the continuing availability of funding and the need for these services. Term ends June 5, 2026.

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a nutrition education program provided at no cost to Kansas families and caregivers of young children with limited resources. EFNEP uses education to support participants' efforts toward self-sufficiency, nutritional health and well-being. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) administers EFNEP through land-grant universities' cooperative extension programs. For more information about Kansas EFNEP go to kstate.edu/extension-nutrition-program.

KState Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. Our system is designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. We are a partnership between Kansas State University and federal, state, and county governments. We have extension offices in every Kansas county. Learn more at ksre.kstate.edu.

This position will serve communities in Shawnee County. The primary office is in Topeka, KS.

This position is on-site and will require regular travel to various sites within Shawnee County. It will also involve overnight travel for trainings (approximately 2-3 times per year).

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma (or equivalent).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual / Ability to communicate effectively with both English and Spanish-speaking learners.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to plan and prepare nutritious family meals.
• Experience working with a variety of audiences, including limited-resource individuals and families.
• Knowledge of basic principles of food preparation, nutrition and food safety.
• Strong time management skills and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Computer skills, including typing, website navigation, email use, video calling, and familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite.
• Experience inputting data and keeping records and reports.
• Education and/or related experience in human nutrition, family and consumer sciences, or a closely related field.

Required Licenses:

• Valid driver's license, proof of vehicle insurance and reliable transportation upon employment.

Additional Role Information:

• Requires regular travel within the service area.

Sponsorship eligibility:

• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship

Please submit the following:

• Contact information for three professional references.
• 
  A resume detailing your education, employment history, and relevant experiences.
• 
  A cover letter explaining why you are a good candidate for this position.
  
  
  
  • On your cover letter, you can write about your experience with:
    
    
    
    • children and feeding children,
    • meal planning,
    • managing your food budget,
    • food preparation (and what you like to cook),
    • food safety,
    • and making healthy choices.
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

Applications close on: November 13, 2025

$15.25 - $18.50/hour