Common Threads is a nonprofit that teaches children and families culturally responsive cooking and nutrition education to encourage health and wellness. We are national in scope, with strong roots in each of our 10 major program locations, reaching more than 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 wellbeing. For more information, visit www.commonthreads.org or Common Threads’ social media accounts (@CommonThreadsOrg on Instagram and @CommonThreadsUS on Twitter).

Nutrition Educator Position Overview: Common Threads is serving as an activity provider for Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Summer B.O.O.S.T. program, a no-cost summer learning program designed to support students with building positive relationships and creating opportunities for exploration that put youth on track for their future academic success in a thriving and fun environment. For more information on the Summer B.O.O.S.T., please visit the following:https://www.pghschools.org/Page/5625

Common Threads will be hiring 14 nutrition educators. The Nutrition Educators will implement Common Threads curriculum in two 60-minute activity blocks, five days per week for five weeks. The curriculum is described to campers below:

“It’s time to become a fitness-loving chef, a food warrior who helps our community, and a global foodie! This class will give you the skills to make healthy snacks, like Mango Lime Parfaits, all with a fitness theme. Depending on grade levels, this class will focus on managing food waste, being a leader in food culture, or becoming an expert in food geography! At the end of camp, you will get to create your Global Food Leader action plan that allows you to present what you have learned and demonstrate how you will be a healthy leader in our community!”

Pay Rate: Nutrition educators will earn $20/hour paid bi-weekly based on the following breakdown of time:

Hours per week: an average of 25 hours per week. The part-time position, and nutrition educators will be paid as independent contractors (on 1099).

• 5 hours per camp day (2 hours for class prep + 3 hours on-site teaching)

• Up to 13 hours of pre-camp training and orientation (see below for training dates)

Duties and Responsibilities:

Before Camp Begins:

• Attend Common Threads and Pittsburgh Public Schools training:

• Five-hour orientation and training with Common Threads (Week of June 19th)

• Pittsburgh Public Schools eight-hour pre-training and orientation (June 20th & Jun 22, 2023)

• Nutrition Educators will be trained on the camp curriculum, policies and procedures, and administrative responsibilities

During Camp:

• Nutrition Educators will work 5 hours per day according to the following schedule:

• 10:30am - 12:15pm Class Preparation

• 12:15pm- 3:30pm Site Time

• Manage a group of up to 30 students in K-1st, 2nd-3rd, 4th-5th, grades at one of three possible sites throughout Pittsburgh

• For groups over 12 students, you will get support from district employees to keep the student to adult ratio at 12:1

• Communicate with camp staff as well as with the Common Threads team.

• Nutrition Educators are required to follow the approved course curriculum

• Teach two 60-minute lessons that include nutrition, healthy cooking, physical activity, sustainability, food culture and food geography

• Administer pre-and post-surveys to students and families and manage paperwork

• Purchase necessary groceries for the cooking portion of each lesson

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.

General Camp Information:

• Three campsites:

• Pittsburgh Arlington - 800 Rectenwald Street (South/West)

• Pittsburgh King - 50 Montgomery Pl (North/West)

• Pittsburgh University Prep - 3117 Centre Ave (East/Central)

• 450 campers in K- 5th grade

Required Qualifications:

• Basic knowledge of nutrition

• Experience teaching or working with kids

• Reliable and dependable - able to commit to a full five-week summer program (Monday- Friday: June 26th-July 28th between 10:30 am-3:30 pm.

• All camp employees are hired with the understanding that they will be available to work every day that camp is in session

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate with Common Threads staff, students, and families

• Possess an energetic, upbeat demeanor

• Ability to be flexible and troubleshoot as needed

Strongly Preferred Qualifications:

• It’s preferable to hold a current food service sanitation certification

• Experience in working with children and cooking

• Ability to lift 25lbs

Additional information:

• You will be working as an independent contractor (1099 tax form)

• A background check will be required

• Must obtain all clearances per district requirements

• Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance

• Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check

• Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use close vision, distance vision, and be able to adjust focus; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift and/or move supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.

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.