WIC Program Coordinator, Extension Family, Health & Wellbeing

Title: WIC Program Coordinator

Appointment: Full-time, Administrative Associate 2 [8208A2], Civil Service

Program Area: Extension Department of Family, Health, & Wellbeing

Office Location: Coffey Hall, St. Paul campus; with some hybrid work options

Estimated Salary: $25.00 - $31.25/hour ($52,000 - $65,000); Depending on qualifications

Apply By: December 5, 2024

About the Position

The Department of Family, Health, and Wellbeing (FHW) at University of Minnesota Extension is one of eight recipients of USDA investments supporting the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) workforce development. The Project Coordinator will support daily operations of FHW's WIC Workforce Initiative, which aims to develop staffing model recommendations and training materials to enhance WIC's workforce development. This position is responsible for coordinating project activities between grants, ensuring effective communication between team members, external partners, and stakeholders, and supporting the project's evaluation, reporting, and dissemination efforts.

The University of Minnesota will identify effective WIC staffing models for diverse contexts, including necessary roles and responsibilities of all levels of WIC positions; the experiences, skills and competencies needed to successfully accomplish the roles and responsibilities; processes and strategies for supporting organizational change to adopt effective staffing structures; and provide learnings for leaders and supervisors to develop skills to monitor the impact of staffing change efforts.

Project Management, Reporting, and Records 90%

• Coordinate and manage day-to-day activities of the USDA WIC Workforce Initiative, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and budgets are adhered to.
• Ensure effective and timely communication among internal and external partners, including USDA, WETAC, and other interested groups.
• Implement workflow processes related to three aims of the grant: formative research team, learning labs team, and advisory workgroup teams.
• Coordinate project meetings, including advisory workgroup meetings, and manage logistical arrangements with another administrative staff member.
• Assist in the finalization and dissemination of project outputs, including educational resources and staffing models.
• Maintain project records and ensure compliance with project documentation and reporting to meet grant deliverables.
• Cultivate relationships between WIC staff at all levels (state agencies, local agencies, tribal agencies) and between academic and community-based stakeholders.

Operations and Back-up 10%

• Participate in department meetings as needed
• Other tasks as assigned as needed.
• Support and provide back-up on meeting logistics as needed.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in public health, human resource development, education, project management, or a related field, plus 2 years of relevant professional experience, or a combination of related education and relevant work experience to equal 6 years.
• 3 years of experience coordinating and implementing multi-stakeholder projects.
• Strong organizational strategy experience
• Effective interpersonal skills and innovative problem-solving experience.
• Skilled in managing complex workflows, setting priorities, and ensuring timely project delivery in dynamic environments.
• Experience working with diverse internal and external teams, including community-based organizations, non-profits, and state agencies to foster inclusive and effective relationships.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to facilitate meetings and write reports.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools.
• Advanced skills with Microsoft and Google Suite applications

• Experience working with federal or state programs, especially in workforce development or nutrition programs like WIC.
• Familiarity with systems thinking, human resource development, and culturally responsive practices.
• Experience with data collection, evaluation, report writing, and they align and are interdependent to one another.
• Previous experience coordinating research or educational projects in partnership with academic or governmental institutions.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver's license and access to vehicle with required insurance and ability to drive to meetings occasionally.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including some evenings and weekends as well as an occasional overnight stay.
• Ability to push, pull, lift, carry up to 30 pounds on occasion.
• Must be able to work regularly at a dedicated/assigned Extension office.
• Must have reliable internet when working outside of assigned Extension office.
• Ability to work on computer for prolonged periods of time
• Must have reliable internet if/when working outside of assigned office location.
• Must be able to work regularly at a dedicated/assigned Extension office.
• Position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship

About Extension and Department for Family, Health, & Wellbeing

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension's programming and employee engagement. Find further information at https://extension.umn.edu/.

As one of four departments, the Extension Department for Family, Health, & Wellbeing helps families make informed decisions leading to better health, financial security and well-being. We accomplish this by developing, delivering and evaluating credible, relevant and research-based education; working closely with others across Minnesota to build the strengths of individuals and families of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds; conducting and collaborating on research projects; recruiting and retaining expert faculty and staff passionate about families and their success; increasing the understanding of our work among key stakeholders; securing resources to sustain and grow programs that meet emerging needs and support strategic priorities.

Extension Department for Family, Health, & Wellbeing programs currently focus on family relations, family resource management, food safety, and health and nutrition, with special effort in the areas of children's health, families in transition, building healthy and strong families, and preparing for an aging Minnesota. An important part of the Department for Family, Health, & Wellbeing mission is to engage in research and evaluation on issues affecting families and how our educational programs meet the needs of Minnesota families.

Pay Range: $25.00 -$31.25 per hour ; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click on the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position. Please attach the following required application materials:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume - Your resume must include all your education and experience as it relates to the required qualifications. The initial HR screening process focuses primarily on the resume.

Names and contact information for three professional references including one supervisor will be required during the interview process.

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. See full instructions, https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Applicant-Center/Help-Job-Applications/Using-Job-Application-System.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

The University of Minnesota and Extension recognize and value the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).