The Food Security and Nutrition Education Specialist is an innovative position at the Martha O’Bryan Center created with the intention of expanding the breadth and depth of services offered by MOBC’s Food Security program. The goal of the Food Security program is to empower healthy families and individuals, many of whom live in “food deserts,” by providing healthy food, nutrition education, and emergency assistance as an integrated part of family resources provided by the center.
Service Activities
As the Food Security & Nutrition Education Specialist at the Martha O’Bryan Center, you will draw upon your passion and resources as food security & nutrition advocate to help lead the following projects in the food bank:
• Assisting the Food Security Coordinator with operating the Food Bank, which includes stocking, building relationships with Food Bank patrons, and volunteer engagement.
• Working with the Food Security Coordinator to create and implement a sustainable system of supply chain management for more efficient ordering and distribution of food in the food bank.
• Working to improve marketing of programs & services offered by the center via strategic outreach in the food bank.
• Offering pop-up nutrition classes to help families using the food bank to utilize regular donations of fresh produce delivered to the center.
• Developing new partnerships with local farmers, CSA’s, farmer’s markets and other food justice organizations to increase the capacity of the Food Security program to serve the community.
• Cayce Place homes is in the process of a groundbreaking mixed-income redevelopment and the center is in the process of re-envisioning the service delivery model of the Food Security program. The Food Security and Nutrition Education Specialist will conduct a research project on Food Security efforts in other mixed-income developments to help develop a strategic plan for the Food Security program moving forward.
Community Need Addressed
The Cayce Place community is a designated food desert. Martha O'Bryan's food bank and food security program is meant to address the lack of community access to healthy food and nutrition education.
Position Outcomes
The families of Cayce Place community will have access to emergency food supplies through the Martha O'Bryan food bank, as well as nutrition education opportunities through our Family Success Network.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Housing, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Health insurance reimbursed up to $160/month. Cell phone bill reimbursed up to $25/month. We emphasize professional development and training opportunities for our service year members. Reduced housing rates in Nashville for service year members.
Education Benefits
College Degree
Skills you will gain
Relationship building, program management, problem solving, strategic planning, community education
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment