The Fund for Public Health in New York City, (FPHNYC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to the advancement of the health and well-being of all New Yorkers.  To this end, in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), FPHNYC incubates innovative public health initiatives implemented by DOHMH to advance community health throughout the city. It facilitates partnerships, often new and unconventional, between government and the private sector to develop, test, and launch new initiatives. These collaborations speed the execution of demonstration projects, effect expansion of successful pilot programs, and support rapid implementation to meet the public health needs of individuals, families, and communities across New York City.

Program Overview

The Healthy Eating Unit within the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DOHMH) Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention is seeking up to 3 part-time, temporary, Culinary Educators to implement Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegetables Stellar Farmers Markets (SFM), a program funded by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) via a contract with New York State Health Department. SFM provides nutrition education and food workshops to the public at farmers markets that serve New Yorkers with low incomes. The goal of SFM is to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables by building on New Yorkers’ knowledge and skills about healthy eating.

This position will be housed within the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention (BCDP) which strives to reduce the burden of chronic disease, including heart disease, obesity, and cancer, among New Yorkers. We work to address the impact of structural racism and other injustices that are a root cause of the inequitable prevalence, treatment and outcomes of chronic diseases in communities of color and among other marginalized communities. BCDP focuses on nutrition, tobacco use, the built environment, screening for cancer, and reducing the incidence and impact of hypertension. BCDP works with partners in government and the community to employ evidence-based policies, programs, communications and research aimed at shifting environments, changing systems and promoting health equity. The Bureau sits within the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness.

Position Overview

Culinary Educators will work as part of a team of three to four people in the preparation and delivery of nutrition and cooking workshops either in-person at  farmers markets or potentially virtual workshops from July-November 2022. Culinary Educators may also attend optional but highly encouraged monthly meetings on Monday afternoons at the DOHMH office in Long Island City, Queens. The Culinary Educator will report to the Nutrition Educator (onsite team leader) and JSY Nutrition Project Coordinator. Culinary Educators will be responsible for implementing interactive cooking demonstrations using recipes that feature local and seasonal produce. This paid position is part-time and seasonal to coincide with the regional growing season. Culinary Educators will be required to attend a paid 5-day training from June 20th- June 24th, 2022 and commit to working a minimum of 2 days per week (plus optional but highly encouraged monthly Monday afternoon meetings), including one weekend day, for the duration of the season. Culinary Educators’ hours depend upon and coincide with market schedules and/or virtual workshop schedules.

Responsibilities

• Prepare for and implement interactive cooking demonstrations as part of nutrition education workshops in accordance with program curriculum at assigned locations throughout NYC or in a virtual setting
• Collaborate with a team of three or more at each workshop site which includes a Nutrition Educator, responsible for leading the team and implementing the nutrition education lesson, and a Bilingual Educator, responsible for interpretation
• Assist with and ensure proper set-up and breakdown of tent, cooking equipment and educational materials
• Maintain all COVID-19 safety protocols at workshop sites
• Maintain food safety, including cleaning and sanitation of all cooking equipment used in cooking demonstrations
• Follow curriculum and ensure integrity and fidelity of programming
• Market and promote program at farmers markets to ensure minimum required level of participation is achieved
• Maintain and encourage environmentally sustainable practices at workshop sites
• Attend optional but highly encouraged bimonthly meetings held virtually or at DOHMH offices in Long Island City, Queens (Monday afternoons)

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Basic knife skills and ability to execute basic cooking techniques
• Experience or training in nutrition or culinary arts
• Knowledge about regional produce
• Dynamic personality and excellent presentation, interpersonal, and communications skills

• Ability to work in multi-cultural settings with racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse populations

• Ability to adapt recipes to reflect the food culture of communities served
• Willing and able to stand for long periods of time and work outside in inclement weather conditions
• Willing and able to regularly lift and transport items weighing up to 25 pounds (to and from storage site to workshop location on a weekly basis each market day)
• ServSafe certification or successful completion of the NYC Food Protection course (prior to June 20th, 2022)
• Commitment to a minimum of 2 days per week of work, including one weekend day

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Experience implementing cooking demonstrations
• Experience working as part of a team
• Understanding of and experience with regional food systems and food security issues and the underlying causes of health inequities in NYC communities
• Strong preference will be given to applicants with formal experience in food service

COMPENSATION

The part-time position will be hired through a staffing agency at a pay rate of $23 per hour from June 20^th- November 20^th.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

All full time and part time staff must be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless they have been granted a medical or religious reasonable accommodation.  This requirement must be met by your date of hire.

This position will be hired through a staffing agency.

This position will require onsite work at farmers markets across NYC to conduct nutrition education workshops and trainings and weekly Monday morning meetings at the NYC Health Department office in Long Island City, Queens.

TO APPLY

To apply, send resume including how your experience relates to this position. We ask that you do not contact our staff directly and no phone inquiries. Applicants who best match the position needs will be contacted.

The Fund for Public Health in New York City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages a diverse pool of candidates to apply.