What are the responsibilities and job description for the Nutrition Specialist-(Human Services Specialist I)-Community Resources and Services, Aging position at Howard County?
Howard County
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2023, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 51 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most in the state of Maryland. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:
- We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
- We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
- We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
- As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.
Coordinates all aspects of the food and nutrition program at the Howard County 50 Centers and may assist and/or coordinate nutrition services at other local nutrition sites to reduce food insecurity and promote socialization. Develops and coordinates nutrition activities, including educational presentations and cooking demonstrations, in-person and virtually as needed. Works collaboratively across the Office and Department to promote wellness and nutrition activities. Develops and maintains community partnerships with key partners to ensure program expansion for both Congregate and Home Delivered Meals programs. Supports a nutrition related emergency response.
***This is a grant-funded position and will be abolished when the grant-funding ends.***
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$24.92 - $28.09
$51,824 - $58,431
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs professional level human services work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes human service, administrative, and counseling work; providing counseling and programmatic services to the special populations; and providing assistance in identifying the population at risk, its needs and how to meet those needs. Organizes and publicizes large events for citizens or special groups. Work also includes providing services needed to carry out human service programs or the operation of a medium sized center with extensive regional responsibility and concurrent programming.
Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
- Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.
- Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately.
- Responsible for food service program including menu planning, registration, ordering meals, supplies, recording temperatures, and acts as liaison with caterer under contract for nutrition sites.
- Monitors nutrition sites and home delivered meal routes.
- Evaluates clients for nutrition risk and program eligibility. Ensures nutrition program assessments are completed by participants on an annual basis.
- Plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates nutrition education programs including but not limited to Tasty Tidbits, Fresh Conversations, Ask the Nutrition Experts, and Stepping Up Your Nutrition.
- Recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers working in the Congregate Meals program.
- Completes accurate and timely data entry related to assessments, nutrition education and meals served for the Congregate and Home Delivered Meals programs.
- Plans and implements farmers’ market coupon distribution.
- Collaborates with community partners to address food insecurity for underserved and diverse communities.
- Develops outreach and marketing of the Congregate and Home Delivered Meal programs.
- Works as a team member across OAI divisions, projects, and programs.
- Attends staff meetings and trainings as directed by supervisor.
- May require work some evening and weekends.
- Participates in activities related to Emergency Management as requested, including work outside normal business hours.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
May supervise contingent or benefitted staff.
Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) from a four-year college or university; plus experience coordinating and implementing nutrition-related programs and services.
- ServSafe Certification (if not already possessed, certification must be obtained within six months of assuming the position).
- Multilingual – English and Korean and/or Mandarin, or a minimum of one other language preferred. Ability to speak and write the language with a high degree of fluency.
- Strong interpersonal skills, excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work well with an ethnically diverse older adult population.
- Strong computer proficiency especially with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Experience in database management and spreadsheet applications are necessary.
- Proficiency in virtual platforms and use of technology for human services delivery.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; and use hands to touch, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. There is the usual noise associated with a busy, active lunchroom.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
- ServSafe Certification (if not already possessed, certification must be obtained within six months of assuming the position).
- Class C Maryland Driver’s License or equivalent issued by state of residence.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.
Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.
At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).
Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at ebridges@howardcountymd.gov. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.
Salary : $25 - $28
