About Common Threads:

Common Threads is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is national in scope, with strong roots in each of our 12 major program locations. We are dedicated to teaching children and families eligible for SNAP about cooking and nutrition education to encourage health and wellness. We equip under-resourced communities with information to make affordable, nutritious, and appealing food choices wherever they live, work, learn, and play. We know that food is rooted in culture and tradition, promoting diversity in our lessons and recipes. We believe that adequate and healthy food contributes to well-being. For more information, visit www.commonthreads.org or Common Threads’ social media accounts (@CommonThreadsOrg on Instagram or Facebook and @CommonThreadsUS on Twitter.

Position Overview: Austin Nutrition Educator (Part-time/Per Diem)

Are you passionate about cooking and nutrition? Do you enjoy working with children and families?

Common Threads is seeking a part-time Nutrition Educator to lead classes in Austin, Texas. The ideal candidate is responsible for maintaining a high quality of implementation, scheduling, and communication with school administrators and staff, community partners, and the Common Threads team. A Common Threads Nutrition Educator is the face of the organization, teaching hands-on cooking classes and nutrition education to Kinder-8th grade students, parents, and community members. All of our student and adult programming consists of basic nutrition lessons, each with a recipe demo and tasting emphasizing fresh, healthy ingredients and adopting healthy cooking and eating habits. Hours will vary from week to week depending on scheduled classes and availability (0-15 hours per week).

Responsibilities:

• Teach children and adults cooking skills and nutrition, in-person with potential for some virtual classes;
• Give participants the tools to make healthy choices using existing lesson plans from Common Threads
• Work with students in Kinder-8th grades and their parents, and manage a classroom of up to 20 participants and one classroom teacher
• Communicate with school and partner organization staff and admin as well as with Common Threads staff
• Instructors will be trained on and follow the Common Threads curriculum, policies and procedures, and administrative requirements
• Instructors are required to follow the approved course curriculum, complete all grocery shopping (paid for by Common Threads) and submit required documentation
• Administer pre-and post-surveys to students and families and manage paperwork, (if applicable)
• Other duties as assigned

The above statements are intended to describe the essential job functions of this role and are not an exhaustive list of all duties performed by personnel occupying this position.

Qualifications:

• Higher education degree preferred.
• Degree in Nutrition, dietetics, community and behavioral health, health education, public health, nursing (or related field) a plus!
• Experience teaching or working with children and adults in diverse community settings is strongly preferred.
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish, Pashto, Dari, Burmese)
• Culinary school and/or food industry experience is strongly preferred
• Possess positive, upbeat energy and a passion for wellness, food access, tolerance and awareness, and making a positive impact on society
• Strong time management and logical thinking skills; must be task-oriented
• Solid analytical and problem-solving skill set
• Strong skills in written & verbal communication, organization, and collaboration
• Computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel, Outlook, and Google Drive documents.
• Experience and/or high comfort level working virtually with internal and external team members
• A commitment to the mission and values of Common Threads
• Must hold current food service sanitation certifications or obtain within first 90 days of employment
• Pay is $20/hr for administrative duties, and teaching classes are paid at a per-class rate.
• Mileage will be reimbursed.

Compensation & Benefits:

• For teaching classes range from $75 to $150 per lesson
• This position is grant-funded.
• This is a part-time position that will generally work 5-10 hrs. a week when classes are in session. Some nights and/or weekends may be required.
• Chef Instructors are employees of Common Threads who are eligible for paid sick time, professional development opportunities, and access to resources within our Employee Assistance Program.

Additional Information:

• Common Threads employees are subject to a background check prior to employment.
• Instructors must be available to teach for eight consecutive weeks, typically once per week
• Instructors must have reliable transportation and will be required to travel in and around Austin to teach classes.
• Candidate should reside in the Austin area.
• Position reports to the Austin Program Manager 

Physical Demands:

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 occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands/fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Common Threads’ EEO Statement: 

Common Threads provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Common Threads complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Common Threads expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Common Threads’ employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.

How to apply: 

If you think you meet these qualifications, we’d like to meet you! Submit your application here. No phone calls, please. Serious applicants only; incomplete applications will not be considered. No third-party firms.