Wellness Exchange Program Specialist

The Center for People is a dynamic non-profit organization that provides innovative services and programs to the low-income community in Lincoln, Nebraska, addressing basic needs and providing opportunities to achieve economic independence for our clients. 

The Wellness Exchange Program Specialist supports the delivery of community-based nutrition, wellness, and self-sufficiency programming at the Center for People. This position plays a key role in facilitating hands-on learning experiences that help individuals and families build practical skills related to healthy cooking, nutrition, food budgeting, and small-scale food production.

Working closely with the Wellness Exchange Program Manager, the Specialist helps implement educational programming designed to improve food security, health outcomes, and long-term independence. Programming may include cooking demonstrations, nutrition workshops, food preparation instruction, and introductory gardening or food-growing education.

This role serves as a primary facilitator and educator, translating program design into accessible and engaging learning experiences. The Specialist helps create welcoming, dignity-centered learning environments that encourage curiosity, participation, and practical skill-building.

The Wellness Exchange Program Specialist approaches all programming with cultural humility and an understanding that food traditions, cooking practices, and wellness perspectives vary across cultures and communities. Educational sessions intentionally incorporate culturally diverse ingredients, recipes, and food traditions to reflect the experiences of participants while expanding access to healthy and affordable food options.

This position regularly works with individuals and families experiencing poverty, food insecurity, housing instability, or other barriers. The Specialist demonstrates empathy, patience, and trauma-informed awareness while fostering a respectful and inclusive space where participants feel safe to learn and participate. All interactions are guided by dignity, respect, and a strengths-based mindset that recognizes the knowledge, resilience, and lived experiences individuals bring to the learning environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Facilitation & Education

Facilitate hands-on workshops focused on cooking, nutrition, meal preparation, and practical food skills

Demonstrate safe food handling practices, cooking techniques, and efficient kitchen skills

Lead interactive sessions that emphasize low-cost, accessible meal preparation using commonly available ingredients

Teach participants how to prepare nutritious meals with limited equipment or restricted kitchen access

Integrate culturally diverse foods, recipes, and cooking traditions into educational programming

Encourage participant engagement, discussion, and peer learning during sessions

Gardening & Food Growing Education

Support instruction in basic gardening, container growing, and small-space food production

Demonstrate practical growing techniques such as planting, watering, harvesting, and seasonal crop care

Assist with maintaining any program gardens, planting areas, or demonstration spaces

Provide participants with simple strategies for growing food in limited or urban environments

Nutrition & Food Resource Education

Teach foundational nutrition concepts in an accessible and practical format

Facilitate lessons on meal planning, food budgeting, and stretching limited food resources

Provide guidance on food storage, pantry organization, and reducing food waste

Help participants identify nutritious and affordable food options available in the community

Program Implementation & Support

Support the Wellness Exchange Program Manager in implementing program initiatives and educational activities

Prepare materials, ingredients, and supplies for workshops and demonstrations

Assist with setup, organization, and cleanup of kitchens, classrooms, and program spaces

Assist with ongoing revenue streams, not limited to, but including ImpactFuel Boxes, virtual cooking classes, and any to-be-developed projects

Help maintain organization and inventory of program supplies and educational materials

Participant Engagement

Foster a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for participants from diverse backgrounds

Engage respectfully with individuals experiencing economic hardship or life instability

Encourage confidence, curiosity, and skill-building through hands-on participation

Approach all interactions with dignity, cultural awareness, and a strengths-based perspective

Program Feedback & Continuous Improvement

Observe participant engagement and learning outcomes during sessions

Share insights and feedback with the Wellness Exchange Program Manager to improve programming

Assist with gathering participant feedback and basic participation data

Help test new workshop ideas, recipes, and learning activities

Resource Development

Assist in developing simple educational materials such as recipes, handouts, and workshop guides

Adapt recipes to work with pantry foods or affordable ingredients

Help create practical tools and resources participants can use at home

III. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Strong facilitation and group engagement skills

Ability to teach practical cooking, nutrition, and gardening skills in clear, accessible language

Knowledge of basic nutrition principles, food preparation, and safe food handling practices

Ability to adapt lessons and recipes based on available ingredients and participant needs

Cultural humility and respect for diverse food traditions and lived experiences

Ability to work effectively and compassionately with individuals experiencing poverty or food insecurity

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to work independently while collaborating with program leadership

Creativity, adaptability, and problem-solving in hands-on learning environments

Commitment to dignity-centered service and community empowerment

DESIRABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Education or experience in Nutrition, Culinary Arts, Public Health, Community Health, Education, Horticulture, or a related field

Experience facilitating cooking classes, nutrition workshops, or community education programs

Experience teaching gardening or food-growing concepts

Experience working with individuals experiencing economic hardship or food insecurity

ServSafe or other food safety certification (or willingness to obtain)

Experience in community-based or adult learning environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT

Physical requirements include the ability to stand for extended periods during cooking demonstrations and workshops and to lift and carry up to 25 pounds, such as pantry supplies, cooking equipment, or gardening materials. The role may involve assisting with the setup and breakdown of kitchens, classrooms, and event spaces.

The Specialist will work in kitchen environments, community classrooms, and occasional outdoor garden or planting spaces. Regular interaction with individuals and families experiencing economic hardship requires empathy, patience, and cultural sensitivity. Adherence to food safety standards and organizational health guidelines is required during all food preparation and program activities.

Center for People is an Equal Opportunity Employer