WIC Program Manager, Extension Family, Health & Wellbeing, St Paul

Title: WIC Program Manager

Classification: Research Pro 5 - Cmty-Engaged Rsch (job code 9791ER)

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

Office Location: Coffey Hall, with hybrid options

Estimated salary range: $72,000 - $84,000; DOQ

Application Deadline: December 8, 2024

ABOUT THE POSITION
As one of four departments, the Extension Department for Family, Health, & Wellbeing (FHW) helps families make informed decisions leading to better health, financial security and wellbeing. 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. The 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.

The Department for Family, Health, & Wellbeing is a recipient of two out of a total of eight targeted USDA investments supporting the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) workforce development. In order to ensure that grant deliverables are sustainable and continue to meet the needs of the WIC workforce, FHWs grants will utilize a three-pronged approach: a formative research component that examines existing WIC staffing models along with salary market analysis of current positions, a quarterly learning series that brings together evidence and practice based lessons from social science, nutrition, and human resource development and that supports the growth and development of WIC staff at all levels, and a multilayered national advisory committee that will provide real-time feedback about grant-related outputs and their intended impact on the WIC workforce. This position is responsible for coordinating project activities among three teams, ensuring effective communication between team members, external partners, and stakeholders, and supporting the project's evaluation, reporting, and dissemination efforts.

Position Summary

The WIC Program Manager will collaborate with cross-functional teams to support the alignment of activities among the three arms of the grant, ensuring effective communication of insights across teams to foster informed decision-making and continuous process development. This position will play a key role in utilizing a Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) lens to identify workforce practices that enhance the growth and development of the WIC workforce. In addition to coordinating activities among the formative research, learning and development, and advisory committee planning teams, this position will also serve as a thought-partner for scientific aspects of research design and evaluation projects. This position may also be involved in scientific and academic activities, such as developing conference presentations, contributing to annual funder reports, and contribution to manuscripts.

Duties and Responsibilities

60% Relationship/Program Management

• Facilitate the alignment of grant deliverables across cross-functional teams
• Provide leadership to team meetings (formative research, learning and development, advisory committees)
• Provide leadership to the development of comprehensive multiyear project plans that align technology, processes, resources, and people across multiple components of grant deliverables.
• Foster strong partner relationships, including relationships with funders, internal research and administrative teams, external stakeholders, WIC agencies, as well as community-based organizations to facilitate data sharing and collaborative problem-solving
• Serve in a supervisory role, as assigned
• Other tasks as assigned.

40% Research

• Manage and provide oversight for key aspects of FHW's WIC Workforce Initiative related to longitudinal learning and development outcomes, advisory committee coordination, and formative research support
• Utilize a CBPR approach with advisory committees to identify workforce-affirming practices that will, in turn, support and expand the activities of quarterly learning labs
• Perform quantitative and qualitative analyses to support the formative research process of the project
• Contribute to advancement of scientific knowledge by developing, submitting, and delivering of conference presentations and co-authoring academic manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals
• Monitor key developments and trends in WIC, and incorporate into ongoing projects as appropriate

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree, at time of application, in public health nutrition, social sciences, social work, human development, education, public policy, or a related field, plus one year of relevant post-degree experience
• Experience managing multi-year, federally funded projects
• Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated experience of building and maintaining collaborative relationships
• Proven leadership skills with a measurable track record of successfully leading and managing projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical skills, with demonstrated experience in data-driven decision-making
• Experience performing literature reviews and presenting results.
• Knowledge of design of research methodologies and data collection procedures
• Ability to understand and utilize scientific terminology and research theory
• Proficient in data analysis programs; examples include Nvivo, Qualtrics, R, SAS, SPSS
• Proficient in Microsoft and Google Suite applications, and virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom)
• Proven ability to work independently as well as effectively participate in internal and external multi-disciplinary teams
• History of scientific presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in public health nutrition, social sciences, social work, human development, education, public policy, or a related field.
• Experience in assessing or reviewing WIC or social service programs.
• Progressive years of professional experience in relevant areas of work

Additional requirements

• Valid driver's license with applicable insurance
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, and some overnight stays
• Ability to travel occasionally
• Ability to lift, push, pull, carry up to 30 pounds on occasion
• When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a number that will be published in the Extension staff directory.
• Must have reliable internet if/when working outside of assigned office location

This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

ABOUT EXTENSION

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 on the Extension website.

Pay Range: $72,000 - $84,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

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

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
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

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 include the following attachments with your online application:

• Cover letter
• Resume/Vitae
• Diversity statement: In 500 words or less, highlight your unique strengths, experiences, perspectives, and values as they relate to equity, diversity and inclusion. Your statement could include the following:
  • Personalized views and experiences
  • Topics through the lens of your own knowledge or experience
  • If you don't have personal experience on a topic, reflect on why
  • Demonstrated learning and growth

Three professional references and transcripts for all college work (unofficial transcripts are acceptable) will be required during the interview process.

Please note: This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

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 application instructions.

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

For questions about this position contact:
Cassie Silveira, Program Leader and search chair, silv0100@umn.edu

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).