NourishME Nutrition Educator

About the role

Healthy Acadia, a community health coalition serving Maine's Hancock & Washington counties, seeks an experienced Nutrition Educator to join a dynamic team passionate about making it easier for all people to lead healthier lives. This position will be funded through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a 5-year program funded by the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to support rural population health care innovations and new access points to promote preventative health and address root causes of disease. In Maine, the Nutrition Education Program (NEP) component of the RHTP, called NourishME, will promote population health through evidence-based nutrition education and public health interventions for all Mainers and the health care organizations that serve them.

We are currently hiring a full-time educator to serve portions of Hancock County. Reporting to the Community Health and Food Programs Director, this position will support the facilitation of a sustainable nutrition education infrastructure for chronic disease prevention and management in Maine communities. The role will also implement evidence-based Food Is Medicine (FIM) strategies that complement and integrate with NourishME. This position focuses on building community partnerships, strengthening food access infrastructure, nutrition education, and embedding FIM approaches within clinical and community systems. The candidate will work independently, be well-organized, and possess a strong attention to detail. This position will be required to keep detailed records for reporting and evaluation. Frequent travel to sites throughout Hancock County and occasional overnight travel to statewide trainings (1-2 per year) is required.

Key duties and responsibilities

• Deliver evidence-based nutrition education curricula aligned with NourishME goals related to chronic disease prevention and management.
• Implement evidence-based Food Is Medicine public health approaches (e.g. Medically tailored groceries, Food pharmacies/pantries, FVRx, Farmers Market vouchers, Gleaning, Clinical referrals, and School-based health strategies) aligned with NourishME goals related to chronic disease prevention and management.
• Engage with new and existing partnerships with community and clinical sites for implementation of sustainable FIM strategies.
• Engage in outreach efforts to increase awareness of and participation in NourishME nutrition education services.
• Coordinate with healthcare organization partners (e.g. hospitals, primary care practices, and FQHCs) to support referral and enrollment into nutrition education programs.
• Ensure program delivery maintains fidelity to evidence-based models while adapting appropriately to local community needs.
• Support the development of sustainable nutrition education infrastructure across community and healthcare settings.
• Participate in training and meetings, both in-person and online.
• Ensure program implementation follows guidance as set by UNE.
• Complete reporting and evaluation processes as set by CMS, Maine DHHS and UNE.

Qualifications and experience sought

• Strong nutrition education experience and/or training.
• Classroom management experience with children and/or adults.
• Experience working with populations experiencing low-income.
• Experience delivering evidence-based nutrition education programs across the lifespan.
• Experience with community centered public health interventions such as Food is Medicine.
• Understanding of the emergency food system, and federal and state nutrition benefits.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work professionally and accurately, within deadlines.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple assignments and priorities.
• Team player with a high professional standard, positive attitude, and flexibility.
• Minimum of 3 years relevant experience.
• Registered Dietitian or degree in public health, nutrition, or related field preferred.

Pay and schedule

• Salary range $44,000-47,000/year.
• This is a 40-hour/week position.
• Frequent travel throughout Hancock County is required.