Nutrition Education Manager

Lift UP is seeking a Nutrition Education Manager to lead nutrition education programs for residents of affordable housing, shoppers at Preston's Pantry, and for Lift UP's community partners and supporters. This position embodies our holistic approach to food security by strengthening the skills and knowledge our neighbors need to prepare foods they receive from Lift UP in ways that nourish them and that they enjoy. The goals of nutrition education through Lift UP are to provide nonjudgmental, easy to understand information about basic nutrition, build foundational cooking skills and confidence, and use food to foster community and health. The Nutrition Education Manager leads our Supper Club Program, facilitating workshops that provide residents in affordable housing the opportunity to prepare and enjoy nutritious foods in a welcoming community setting. Whether designing curriculum for a Supper Club workshop, developing a heart-healthy recipe to share at Preston's Pantry, or facilitating a food demonstration with a community partner, this position connects our neighbors to the joys of food and community.

ABOUT LIFT UP

Lift UP's mission is to reduce hunger and improve the lives of low-income residents in Northwest and Downtown Portland. As a top-tier partner of the Oregon Food Bank, we provide nutritious food access, teach cooking skills and basic nutrition education, and use food to build community, strengthen social connections, and support long-term stability.

Lift UP addresses our neighbors' immediate needs by distributing 1 million pounds of fresh, culturally relevant food across our community each year. We also lead the Coalition to Advance Food Equity (CAFE), a collaboration of partner organizations focused on sharing resources, coordinating distribution, and strengthening food systems. Through shared purchasing, farm partnerships, and local advocacy, collectively we are increasing access, reducing waste, and expanding impact across the Metro region.

We envision a Portland where everyone has consistent access to nutritious food and meaningful connections. We recognize that structural inequities are a root cause of hunger and believe that access to abundant, nutritious, culturally relevant food is a human right. We are committed to advancing food justice through low-barrier, dignified services, and advocating for systemic solutions to reduce hunger long term.

At Lift UP, food is more than a basic need - it is nourishment, dignity, and belonging.

Job Title: Nutrition Education Manager

Reports to: Executive Director

Status: Full-time (40 hours/week), Regular, Non-Exempt

Compensation: $27.40 per hour

Benefits: Fully paid medical/dental/vision coverage, a 3% employer-matched retirement program, Flexible Spending Account, and Employee Assistance Program, Competitive PTO package

Location: 3448 NW Yeon Ave. Portland, OR 97210 - some flexibility for hybrid schedule; minimum 32 hours/week on-site

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify, develop, and/or adapt evidence-based nutrition education curriculum to meet the unique needs of the community Lift UP serves.
• Plan and facilitate nutrition education workshops to groups of 10-35 residents in community rooms or kitchens of low-income apartment buildings in Northwest and Downtown.
• Plan and facilitate community building nutrition education activities at Preston's Pantry and at community partner sites.
• Under the oversight of the Operations Director, develop an annual calendar of programming in affordable housing to meet the needs of our community and fulfill our commitment to funders.
• Coordinate workshops with building Resident Service staff and resident volunteers, ensuring robust promotion and maximizing engagement and impact.
• Collaborate with Operations Director and Program Manager to ensure recipes reflect foods available to the people Lift UP serves, and are appropriate for special diets, abilities, and kitchen access.
• Create collateral, including shareable recipes, that highlight accessible and nutritious ways to prepare foods available through Lift UP.
• Maintain our consolidated org-wide recipe repository, and coordinate with staff and volunteers to ensure consistent communication of recipes and nutrition information across client newsletters, Supper Club class collateral, and external marketing materials.
• Complete all preparations for programming, including coordination with staff and community partners, selecting recipes, managing participant registration, promotion, purchasing food and supplies, and transporting materials, set up/tear down.
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Manager to ensure sufficient volunteer engagement. Provide volunteers with on-site training and ongoing support and ensure they follow policies and procedures.
• Lead program evaluation to assess the impact of services. Track and report impact data; collect photos and stories to help share the success of nutrition education programs.
• Implement and maintain health and safety standards and safe working protocols in the workshop space.
• With support and guidance from the Executive Director, prepare safety plans based on the work environment and conditions in individual buildings.
• Act as an ambassador and advocate for Lift UP and the people we serve, fostering relationships with residents, housing partners, and nonprofit community partners to benefit the Supper Club Program.
• In collaboration with the Development Director, develop collateral and media highlighting the Supper Club Program that can be shared with Lift UP supporters.
• Support special events for Lift UP, including donor stewardship and volunteer appreciation events, as needed.
• Work with development staff to provide stories for organization-wide communications such as eNewsletter, annual report, funding impact reports, and other media as needed.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Passion for Lift UP's mission to reduce hunger.
• At least one year of experience facilitating or teaching.
• Knowledge of nutrition for a variety of dietary needs: diabetic, low-sodium, heart healthy, celiac, soft foods, etc. Nutrition related coursework/degree preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of foundational cooking techniques. Prior experience in food industry preferred but not required.
• Ability to work with diverse individuals and groups to address complex community issues. Experience or interest in working with seniors preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication, time management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with residents and volunteers to create a space that is safe and responsive to residents' needs.
• Experience within low-income communities and knowledgeable about the systemic issues that perpetuate poverty.
• Experience implementing trauma-informed practices and de-escalation techniques.
• Ability to adapt to meet changing needs.
• Ability and willingness to fill open direct service shifts as needed (deliveries, gleaning). This includes the ability to repeatedly lift 50 lbs. and drive Lift UP's sprinter vans.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Food Handler's Card attained within first 2 weeks of hire.
• Ability to pass a motor vehicle record check and criminal history check.

Lift UP is an equal opportunity employer and we prohibit discrimination.

If you think this opportunity is right for you, please rsubmit a résumé and cover letter, including brief responses to the questions below, to Executive Director Stephanie Barr at info@lifturbanportland.org by Tuesday August 11th. Questions about this opportunity? Please reach out to Stephanie to learn more.

• What about Lift UP's mission, programs, and approach resonates with you?
• What excites you about the Nutrition Education Manager position?
• How do you see this role contributing to fostering food security for our neighbors?