The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Community Education Assistant (CEA) CL3 will plan, deliver, and evaluate food and nutrition education programs in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Counties. The position is responsible for creating and maintaining community partnerships to enhance and promote EFNEP educational programs to adults with children, young adults, and youth aged 5 to 18 years who are experiencing food and nutrition insecurity. By educating and empowering individuals to make informed food choices and improve their overall well-being, EFNEP CEAs contribute to building stronger, healthier communities. Full-time, soft-money funded position, 40 hours per week, 5 days per week. Normal daily work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This position pays $21.09/hour, or applicable transfer rate in accordance with the ACSUM collective bargaining agreement.
Complete Job Description
About the University:
The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu.
The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefits for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options.
About Cooperative Extension:
Cooperative Extension is the doorway to UMaine expertise. For over 100 years, Extension has been putting university research to work in homes, businesses, farms, and communities — in every corner of Maine. These educational efforts focus on the Maine Food System and Positive Youth Development through 4-H programs. In addition to state offices in Orono, there is a network of county-based offices staffed by experts who provide practical, locally-based solutions for farmers, small business owners, kids, parents, consumers, and many others. Cooperative Extension strives to be an equitable, sustainable, purposeful and enjoyable place to work. We are interested in candidates who can contribute diverse experiences and perspectives to the department and campus.
The University of Maine System provides a highly competitive benefits package that includes: holidays, vacation and sick time; health, dental and vision insurance; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; a tuition waiver program for employee and eligible dependents; a 403(b) retirement plan; and more.
Many employees report that a primary reason for choosing UMaine is quality of life. From harbors overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to Baxter Peak, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, Maine offers a myriad of natural beauty and landscapes perfect for outdoor adventures. About 90% of the state is forested with 3,500 miles of shoreline. Residents living in Maine experience all four seasons; including cold and snowy winters, short and beautiful summers, and incredible foliage changes in the fall. Forestry, agriculture, tourism and, of course, lobsters play a large role in Maine’s economy. Numerous cultural activities, excellent public schools, safe neighborhoods, high quality medical care, little traffic and a reasonable cost of living make Maine a wonderful place to live.
Qualifications:
Required:
- High school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) and four years of relevant experience in community nutrition education or working with food-insecure populations; a combination of post-secondary education and/or lived experience with nutrition insecurity may substitute for work experience.
- Demonstrated skill in planning and delivering community-based educational programs to adults and youth.
- Experience working with diverse audiences and supporting equal opportunity, affirmative action, and civil rights goals.
- Demonstrated management and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated experience in prioritizing and managing the logistics of educational workshops and programs.
- Demonstrated effective communication using oral, written, and electronic methods.
- Experience planning and developing audience-appropriate educational sessions based on identified needs.
- Experience working with a diverse population in a variety of settings.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently.
- Demonstrated ability to operate a computer, Zoom, Microsoft Office, and Google Workspace apps (Google Drive, Gmail, Docs, Slides).
- Ability to travel normally, requiring a valid State of Maine driver’s license is required. Mileage is reimbursed at the current University rate.
Preferred:
- Experience delivering community nutrition education programs or working with food- and nutrition-insecure populations.
- Experience using group facilitation skills in program delivery.
- Familiarity with food and nutrition assistance programs (i.e., food banks, food pantries, SNAP, WIC), and public health organizations in Maine and Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Counties.
- Collaborative work skills with community agencies and organizations.
- Familiarity with Cooperative Extension and its educational programs.
Other Information:
To be considered for this position you will need to “Apply” and upload the documentation listed below:
1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2.) a resume/curriculum vitae
Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for references.
Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
For full consideration, materials must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. EST on September 5, 2025.
For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair Alex Bosse,
[email protected].
The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).
Clery Act
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may
view the University’s Annual Security Report. If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.
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