Nutrition Assembly Host (part-time)

Nutrition Assembly Host, Part-time

Are you excited about cooking and nutrition? Do you enjoy working with children and families? Do you have a passion for local food, farming, or gardening?

We are looking for enthusiastic educators who have a passion for nutrition and cooking to join our team as part-time/per diem Nutrition Assembly Hosts for our Farm to School initiative in LA. As a vital member of Common Threads, you will collaborate with the Farm to School program and represent the organization outwardly. Your role will involve leading dynamic and participatory assemblies aimed at encouraging healthy eating habits, minimizing cafeteria food waste, and providing students with valuable knowledge about nutrition and overall well-being.

Nutrition Assembly Hosts will implement programming at our nutrition-focused school-wide assemblies as well as train Kitchen Managers, highlighting local ingredients, nutrition, and various cooking techniques. This position will be based in Los Angeles. Through our Farm to School assemblies, we aim to empower students to make informed food choices, reduce food waste in the cafeteria, and appreciate the importance of sustainable farming practices. By partnering with local farmers and organizations, we provide students with immersive experiences that extend beyond the classroom. Our goal is to cultivate a generation of individuals who understand the connection between food, health, and the environment, promoting healthier communities and a resilient food system.

This position is grant funded. Assemblies will be available to LAUSD elementary and middle schools (250 campuses) at no cost. Nutrition Assembly Hosts should have availability to lead multiple assemblies per day in concentrated geographic regions at least 1 day (and up to 5 days) per week.

Responsibilities: 

• Organize and host nutrition assemblies at various local partner sites.
• Communicate with school and partner organization staff and administration, as well as with Common Threads staff
• Instructors will be trained on the curriculum, policies and procedures, and administrative responsibilities
• Instructors are required to follow the approved course curriculum

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: 

• Basic knowledge of nutrition required
• Knowledge or willingness to learn about LA’s local food landscape
• Interest in sustainability and food justice is a plus 
• Experience teaching or working with children is strongly preferred
• Reliable and dependable -- able to commit to programs, arrive on time, and proactively communicate any needs or issues
• Ability to be flexible with scheduling and possess a go-with-the-flow attitude
• Must hold current food service sanitation certifications or obtain them within the first 90 days of employment
• Must have access to a car and a valid driver’s license
• Experience working with culturally diverse audiences
• Experience and/or high comfort level working virtually with internal and external team members
• A commitment to the mission and values of Common Threads

Compensation & Benefits:

• The position is grant-funded.
• This is a part-time variable-hour position that will generally work 10-20 hours a week when classes are in session. Some nights and/or weekends may be required.
• Mileage will be reimbursed.

Compensation rates for in-person classes include:

Farm-to-School Assemblies: $150 per campus (approximately one 45-minute assembly per campus totaling and estimated 3 hours of work, including set-up, assembly and cleanup) Farm to School Kitchen Manager Trainings: $75  per lesson (approx. 2 hours, including prep and clean up) 

• $20/hour for administrative duties (i.e., training, attending meetings)
• Chef instructors are employees of Common Threads who are eligible for paid sick time and access to the resources within the Employee Assistance Program.

Additional information: 

• Common Threads employees are subject to background checks prior to employment
• Instructors are required to arrive at the class location one hour prior to class start time to prepare for in-person programming
• In alignment with LAUSD policy, all staff members are mandated to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Additionally, they must undergo fingerprinting as authorized by the California Department of Justice (CDOJ) and furnish evidence of being tuberculosis-free within sixty (60) days prior to commencing their service.
• Candidate should reside in the Los Angeles area
• The position reports to the LA Senior Program Manager

About Common Threads 

Common Threads is a nonprofit that teaches children and families cooking and nutrition education to encourage health and wellness. We are national in scope, with strong roots in each of our 11 major program locations, reaching 30,000 children, parents, and teachers in 2020-2021. 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, so we promote 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 and @CommonThreadsUS on Twitter).

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.

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