Overview

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, is searching for a community-engaged scholar to support the Community Food Systems working group within the Department of Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS) in Passaic County. 

This 12-month,100% Extension-funded position offers an exciting opportunity for applied research in food security and developing new strategic and innovative initiatives in the areas of nutrition, chronic disease prevention, health, and wellness. Reporting to the Chair of the Department of Family and Community Health Sciences (FCHS), this position will provide leadership as a liaison between campus-based researchers at Rutgers University, the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and clientele and colleague groups such as local and state stakeholders. The Department has a strong interest in attracting diverse faculty and providing excellence in community engagement in accordance with the Rutgers Diversity Strategic Plan, which is why we encourage candidates from diverse, underrepresented communities to apply.

Candidate must demonstrate excellence in written, oral, interpersonal, and information technology communication skills. The candidate should have a deep understanding of nutrition and/or public health and be able to design and implement a program that responds to community strengths, assets, and needs,

Representative Responsibilities will include (but are not limited to the following):

Applied Research (Extension Practice):
Coordinate, conduct, and publish the results of applied research related to:

  • innovation, equity, and regenerative practices for processing and distributing responsibly produced, healthful food.
  • Effective strategies to improve the community, family, and individual food access and health outcomes or other creative activities designed to address nutrition-related health problems in the community.

Teaching (Extension Teaching):

  • Create, teach, and evaluate programs for public and professional audiences using both direct and indirect methods and a variety of delivery methods.
  • This includes providing information through print publications, web-based resources, and in-person presentations and serving as a resource for other cooperative extension academics.

Service:

  • Contribute to the effective operation and impact of the assigned county cooperative extension office.
  • Actively explore and contribute to opportunities to expand the statewide visibility and impact of Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
  • Participate in professional society activities, including presenting papers at national and international meetings.

Additionally,

  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a team member with external and internal stakeholders.
  • Ability to adapt as circumstances warranted.
  • Willingness to actively promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and humility and ability to share complex information in a manner tailored to the audience.
  • Experience working with diverse audiences and communities
  • Experience establishing, leading, and/or serving partnerships and coalitions
  • Experience and/or coursework in conducting community needs assessments, addressing social determinants of health, grant writing, and management, and applied research
  • Local, regional, and (limited) statewide travel is required; personal transportation is required.
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