School Nutrition Outreach & Engagement Specialist - Action for Healthy Kids Inc

Advertising: Join us in advancing nutrition and health in schools nationwide! Action for Healthy Kids is expanding the USDA's Healthy School Meals Incentives program and is seeking a dynamic, strategic School Nutrition Outreach & Engagement Specialist who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about promoting healthy meals in schools. If you are driven by creating impactful change, love developing outreach strategies, and excel at converting ideas into action, this contractor role is for you! You'll play a key role in engaging school food authorities, providing critical technical assistance, and ensuring more schools participate in USDA Recognition Awards. Your strong communication skills, creativity, and ability to cultivate meaningful relationships will be essential to our mission. If you're ready to inspire, motivate, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders to enhance the health of children in small and rural schools across the nation, we want you on our team as a valued contractor!

Company Overview:

About Us

Action for Healthy Kids is a national non-profit organization raising the bar on the health of the whole child to extraordinary levels across the country. AFHK mobilizes school professionals, families, and communities to take actions that lead to healthy eating, physical activity, and healthier schools where kids thrive. We partner with dedicated volunteers-teachers, students, moms, dads, school wellness experts, and more-from within the ranks of our 140,000+ constituency to create healthful school changes. We are committed to impacting holistic changes, focusing on serving students from under-resourced communities.

Action for Healthy Kids is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity across multiple and intersectional dimensions, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, socio-economic background, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, gender identity, disability status, and age, and are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all employees.

Job Title: School Nutrition Outreach & Engagement Specialist

Job Location: 100% Remote, some travel required

Position Type: Full-time

Classification: Contractor

Salary Grade: N/A

Reports To: Program Director

Original PD Date: Sept 16,2024

Revised PD:

Position Summary: School Nutrition Outreach & Engagement Specialist will lead and execute targeted strategies to enhance outreach efforts, increase engagement, and drive the conversion of School Food Authorities (SFAs) to participate in the Healthy Meals Incentives Program. The primary goal is to encourage more SFAs to apply for at least one of the USDA Recognition Awards. Develop and implement strategies to maximize the conversion rate of outreach efforts, turning interested SFAs into applicants for the USDA Recognition Awards. This role requires experienced professionals skilled in outreach, marketing, engagement strategies, and providing technical assistance, particularly within the context of nutrition, public health, and education.

Key Responsibilities

1. Outreach Strategy Development
   • Develop and implement a targeted outreach strategy to identify and engage SFAs that can benefit from the Healthy Meals Incentives Program and are eligible to apply for the USDA Recognition Awards.
   • Conduct market research to understand the needs and behaviors of SFAs and refine outreach tactics accordingly.
   • Collaborate with internal teams, including program management, communications, and community engagement, to align outreach activities with the program's goals and objectives.
   • Work with Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) to implement a strategy to convert website visitors into Recognition Award applicants through direct outreach and the use of Feathr data, a digital marketing tool.

1. Lead Generation and Engagement
   • Design and execute lead generation campaigns aimed at reaching SFAs, school districts, community groups, and other stakeholders in the nutrition and public health sectors.
   • Develop compelling messaging and outreach materials that clearly communicate the benefits, requirements, and steps for applying for the USDA Recognition Awards.
   • Coordinate and utilize various channels-email, social media, webinars, workshops, and local events-to reach and engage target audiences.

1. Conversion Optimization
   • Conduct direct outreach and additional strategies to result in 1,000 total Recognition Award applicants.
   • Identify and address barriers to participation, providing tailored solutions to potential applicants.
   • Collaborate with HMI program and technical support teams to ensure a seamless application process for new participants.

1. Targeted Support for SFAs
   • Identify one (1) SFA from native or underserved communities per region per quarter and provide tailored support and technical assistance to help them complete the Recognition Award application.
   • Identify ten (10) SFAs in the least engaged states, where there are currently no Healthy Meals Incentives (HMI) grantees and/or awardees and provide technical assistance to support their Recognition Award application.
   • Maintain regular communication with targeted SFAs to offer guidance, answer questions, and provide the necessary resources throughout the application process.

1. Technical Assistance to SFAs
   • In cooperation with the HMI team, provide technical assistance to SFAs throughout the application process for the USDA Recognition Awards.
   • Offer guidance and support to SFAs on completing applications, understanding eligibility criteria, and preparing necessary documentation.
   • Respond to inquiries from SFAs regarding the awards and provide ongoing support as requested to facilitate successful applications.

1. Relationship Management
   • Develop a plan to engage and follow up with SFAs, ensuring sustained interest and commitment to applying for the USDA Recognition Awards.
   • Utilize a system to track interactions, follow-ups, and the status of potential participants.

1. Performance Tracking and Reporting
   • Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of outreach and conversion activities, such as the number of SFAs engaged and conversion rates.
   • Prepare reports as needed on outreach and conversion metrics, providing insights and recommendations for improving strategies.

1. Collaboration and Coordination
   • Work with cross-functional teams, including Nutrition Program Managers, Technology Manager, and MarCom staff, to ensure outreach and conversion efforts are integrated and aligned with the broader objectives of the USDA Cooperator Agreement.
   • Participate in regular team meetings to provide updates, share insights, and gather feedback for continuous improvement.
   • Coordinate with external partners, as needed, to support outreach efforts.

1. Content Creation and Management
   • Work collaboratively with MarCom team to identify and manage content that supports outreach and conversion goals, such as success stories, case studies, newsletters, and promotional materials tailored to the Healthy Meals Incentives Program and the USDA Recognition Awards.
   • Ensure all content is aligned with the program's branding, messaging, and values.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in outreach, marketing, conversion optimization, and technical assistance, especially within public health, education, or nutrition sectors.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills, particularly in building relationships with schools, SFAs, and community organizations.
• Proficiency in technology and automation tools.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Creative thinker with a strategic mindset and a passion for promoting healthy meals and nutrition.

Deliverables

• Monthly outreach and conversion reports with analysis and recommendations tailored to the Healthy Meals Incentives Program and USDA Recognition Awards.
• Documented outreach and lead generation strategies specific to SFAs and community organizations.
• A content calendar and outreach materials for campaigns promoting the program and awards.
• A/B testing reports and conversion optimization plans.
• Regular updates and presentations to key stakeholders and program leadership.
• Technical assistance logs documenting support provided to SFAs during the application process.
• Quarterly reports on identified SFAs from native or underserved communities and least engaged states, including the technical assistance provided and application outcomes.

Contract Terms

Duration: September 16, 2024 - August 31, 2025

Hours: 40 hours per week; however, based on business needs, hours may fluctuate. Not to exceed 2,000 hours during the length of the project.

Compensation: $50 per hour

Reporting to: AFHK Program Director, USDA Programs

Expected hours of work - Hours of work are generally normal business hours, Monday through Friday. The HMI Recognition Awards and Sub-grants are available to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program in the contiguous United States, Hawaii, Alaska, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, or the United States Virgin Islands. Work hours may need to be occasionally adjusted based on school location to provide support during school business hours.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit their resume, a cover letter detailing their relevant experience, and examples of previous outreach and conversion projects related to nutrition, education, or public health to bmechura@actionforhealthykids.org by September 26, 2024.

Affirmative action plan/equal employment opportunity (AAP/EEO) statement-

AAP/EEO will be provided by HR