Company description

Open Arms of Minnesota (OAM) is a nonprofit that prepares and delivers healthy, nutritious food to people living with life-threatening illnesses. Our mission is to nourish body, mind and soul. In our state-of-the-art kitchen, OAM staff members and more than 7,300 volunteers create meals specifically designed for our clients’ nutritional needs. We use fresh and, whenever possible, organic ingredients, including produce from our own Open Farms gardens. Volunteers deliver the meals throughout the Twin Cities metro area to approximately 1,100 clients, caregivers and dependents each week, providing nourishment and hope for families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. There are no fees for any of Open Arms’ services. Open Arms is a volunteer-driven organization and is culturally unique in our high commitment to an excellent volunteer experience.
 

To learn more, visit www.openarmsmn.org     

Job description Position Overview: This 25-hour-per-week, benefits-eligible position contributes to the fulfillment of Open Arms’ mission by providing accurate and useful nutrition information to support the programs of OAM. The Nutrition Specialist is a Registered Dietitian who works alongside the Nutrition Services Manager, Client Services Department, and Kitchen Operations Department to identify, assess, maintain and monitor the nutrition needs of clients in accordance with the work of OAM, as well as identify ways to improve OAM's nutrition programs and services. The Nutrition Specialist will perform nutrient analysis of meals, provide written and verbal nutrition counseling to clients, help maintain food safety, and supervise dietetic interns. As with all OAM staff positions, this position is responsible for helping ensure volunteers and interns have an exemplary experience during all interactions with Open Arms, and is expected to consistently maintain a high level of customer service to all guests, clients and fellow team members.

 

Primary Job Responsibilities:
 

Menu Planning – Kitchen of Opportunities

• Work collaboratively with the Food Services Director at Kitchen of Opportunities (KOO) to provide nutrition analysis of menus according to the OAA Title III Nutrition Guidelines.
• Contribute nutrition expertise to menu planning process while considering the complex nutritional needs and food preferences of older adults.
• Provide education to staff at KOO to influence understanding of nutrition guidelines.

Menu Planning – OAM

• Assist Nutrition Services Manager with providing nutrition analysis of recipes and menus as needed, and maintaining compliance with OAM nutrition specifications.

Nutrition Assessment, Education, and Counseling

• Responsible for onboarding high risk clients on to OAM services, which includes a thorough nutrition assessment, choosing a menu, assigning routes & delivery days, and discussing OAM policies with clients.
• Follow-up with high risk clients in a timely manner and as needed.
• Seek out clients having nutrition difficulties and proactively assist them in obtaining dietary services to meet their specific needs.
• Provide accurate and useful nutrition counseling in a timely manner to clients requiring information and additional support. Counseling is provided in a format that is most appropriate for each individual client, and may include home-visits, phone calls, and written materials.
• Develop nutrition education materials, such as handouts and brochures, as appropriate for OAM clients.
• Provide nutrition tips and advice on menus to clients.
• Maintain proper documentation of all nutrition services provided to clients.
• Support Nutrition Services Manager in growing and improving nutrition services offered by the department.

Outreach

• Lead quarterly SNAP outreach activities.
• Participate in planning for and implementing Summer Meals Program.

Supervise Dietetic Interns

• Responsible for training, organizing, scheduling, and evaluating dietetic interns to ensure good use of interns’ time and talents and provide a mutually beneficial, satisfying experience.

Miscellaneous Projects

• Assist in additional food or nutrition related projects as needed.
• Support the mission and vision of Open Arms.
• Other duties as assigned.

 

Requirements:

• Registered Dietitian; 2 years of relevant work experience.
• Licensed in MN.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in Spanish preferred.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in English.
• Flexibility with schedule and assigned tasks; ability to work occasional evenings and weekends. Willingness to participate in a wide-array of tasks that help support the overall mission of OAM.
• Creative and innovative thinker. Ability to think strategically and proactively.
• Good understanding of the nutrition needs of people with cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), CHF, and ESRD.
• Familiarity with OAA Title III Nutrition Guidelines.
• Excellent communication and human relation skills and personal presence that garners respect from clients, volunteers and the community at large.
• The drive and ability to learn new techniques and skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, ability to multi-task and work in a high-pressure setting.
• Demonstrated ability to create, lead and motivate a team.
• Knowledge of computer programs including Microsoft Office and Excel.
• Familiar with using nutrition analysis software such as Food Processor.
• Valid Minnesota driver’s license.
• Sensitivity to diversity and able to work respectfully with wide array of coworkers, and members of the community.
• A passion for the mission and values of Open Arms.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to sit or stand for long periods of time
• Ability to talk and hear, and to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to review and reply to documents and information on computer screen as well as to use a computer and variety of software programs.
• Able to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Able to drive a vehicle.
• Able to navigate steps in order to deliver meals.

 

Reports to:  Nutrition Services Manager

Hours: 25 hours per week

Benefits: This position is eligible for an excellent, comprehensive benefits package, including medical/life/STD/LTD insurance, holidays and personal time off (PTO). An employee-paid dental plan and 401K is also available.

Open Arms of Minnesota is committed to hiring and fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that leverages the skills and talents of all employees in our organization, regardless of race, gender, national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, size, physical ability or socioeconomic status. We encourage diverse candidates to apply for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employment            Compensation this position is : hourly, $15/hr + Application instructions DeadlineDecember 05, 2018