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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Nutrition Program Coordinator

💰 $ - $

🎯 Role Definition

The Nutrition Program Coordinator is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating community- and clinic-based nutrition programs. This role manages outreach, education, grant deliverables, and partnerships to improve population health through evidence-based nutrition interventions. The coordinator ensures program integrity and compliance with funder and regulatory requirements (e.g., WIC, SNAP-Ed, USDA), supervises or supports program staff and volunteers, and uses data to drive continuous improvement and measurable health outcomes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Community Health Worker focused on nutrition, health educator, or WIC nutrition assistant
  • Dietetic Technician, Nutrition Aide, or Program Assistant in public health
  • Outreach Coordinator or Case Manager with a focus on community services

Advancement To:

  • Senior Nutrition Program Coordinator or Program Manager
  • Nutrition Services Manager or Public Health Nutritionist
  • Grants Manager, Director of Community Nutrition, or Director of Programs

Lateral Moves:

  • Health Education Specialist
  • Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist
  • Grant Writer or Community Partnerships Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of nutrition education programs and interventions for target populations, ensuring evidence-based curriculum and measurable behavior-change goals.
  • Manage day-to-day program operations including scheduling, logistics, participant enrollment, case management workflows, and coordination of multi-site activities to meet program timelines and deliverables.
  • Develop, adapt, and deliver culturally appropriate nutrition education sessions, workshops, cooking demonstrations, and digital content for diverse audiences — tailoring materials for literacy level, language, and cultural context.
  • Oversee recruitment, intake, and retention strategies for clients and participants, working closely with referral partners, clinics, schools, and community organizations to meet enrollment targets.
  • Prepare, submit, and manage grant proposals, contracts, and funder reports; track grant budgets, allowable expenses, and ensure compliance with funding terms and timelines.
  • Monitor and manage program budgets, track expenditures, reconcile invoices, and provide regular financial updates to leadership to ensure fiscal responsibility and adherence to agency procurement policies.
  • Supervise, train, and mentor staff, interns, and volunteers; create onboarding plans, set performance goals, conduct regular supervision, and facilitate professional development opportunities.
  • Design and implement monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plans, including selection of indicators, development of data collection tools, and establishment of baseline and outcome measures to demonstrate program impact.
  • Collect, analyze, and interpret program data (e.g., participant demographics, behavior change metrics, attendance, BMI or food security indicators), and translate findings into actionable recommendations and plain-language reports for stakeholders.
  • Maintain accurate client records and program documentation in electronic health records (EHR), case management systems, or program databases while ensuring confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
  • Ensure programs adhere to local, state, and federal regulations and best practices (e.g., WIC regulations, USDA guidance, state public health standards), proactively preparing for audits and site visits.
  • Build and sustain community partnerships, coalitions, and referral networks with healthcare providers, schools, food banks, social service agencies, and local government to expand program reach and referrals.
  • Create marketing, outreach, and social media strategies and materials (flyers, emails, newsletters, web content) to promote programs, recruit participants, and increase community visibility.
  • Coordinate food procurement, distribution logistics, and inventory management for food assistance or demonstration components, ensuring food safety, proper storage, and equitable distribution.
  • Lead quality improvement initiatives using participant feedback, process metrics, and outcome data; design pilot interventions, test changes, and scale successful approaches.
  • Facilitate staff and community training sessions on topics such as motivational interviewing, behavior change counseling, cultural humility, and program protocols to increase intervention fidelity.
  • Represent the program at stakeholder meetings, community events, advisory boards, and conferences; serve as the primary contact for program inquiries and media requests when appropriate.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve participant barriers to engagement (transportation, childcare, language access), working with internal teams and community partners to provide supportive services and referrals.
  • Draft and deliver comprehensive program reports, success stories, and case studies for funders, leadership, and marketing use; maintain timely submission of monthly, quarterly, and annual deliverables.
  • Stay current on nutrition science, public health guidelines, and best practices; integrate new evidence and policy changes into curriculum and program protocols to maintain clinical and educational relevance.
  • Facilitate interdisciplinary coordination between dietitians, clinical staff, social workers, and external partners to ensure continuity of care and integrated service delivery for program participants.
  • Manage compliance and quality assurance documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and program manuals; update protocols to reflect program changes and regulatory guidance.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and produce dashboards or visualizations for leadership and funders using Excel, Google Sheets, or basic BI tools.
  • Assist with outreach events and logistics—tabling, running registration, prepping materials, and coordinating volunteers.
  • Contribute to the development of grant budgets, assist with budget tracking spreadsheets, and support audit preparation.
  • Participate in continuous quality improvement meetings and pilot testing of new program activities.
  • Provide back-up coverage for frontline nutrition education sessions or intake appointments as needed.
  • Support translation or adaptation of educational materials and coordinate interpreter services when required.
  • Maintain inventory of educational supplies, demonstration equipment, and program promotional items.
  • Participate in community needs assessments, focus groups, and stakeholder interviews to inform program design.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Program design and management for community nutrition initiatives, including SNAP-Ed, WIC, or USDA-funded programming
  • Grant writing, grant management, and funder reporting with demonstrated ability to meet deliverables and budgets
  • Monitoring & evaluation (M&E): indicator selection, data collection protocol design, outcome measurement, and impact reporting
  • Proficiency in data analysis and reporting using Excel (pivot tables, functions), Google Sheets, and familiarity with basic statistical software (SPSS, R, or SAS) or BI tools (Tableau, Power BI)
  • Electronic health record (EHR) or case management system experience; ability to maintain accurate confidential client records
  • Curriculum development and instructional design for adult learners; experience creating lesson plans, facilitator guides, and participant materials
  • Nutrition counseling and behavior change techniques (e.g., motivational interviewing), including experience applying evidence-based guidelines
  • Budgeting and financial management for program operations, including expense tracking and reconciliation
  • Knowledge of relevant regulations and program requirements (WIC, SNAP-Ed, USDA, state public health standards)
  • Food safety and food distribution logistics, including procurement, inventory control, and storage best practices
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace; comfort with virtual meeting platforms
  • Bilingual capabilities (e.g., Spanish/English) or experience working with interpreters is highly desirable

Soft Skills

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills for diverse audiences — participants, partners, funders, and leadership
  • Cultural competency and sensitivity to work effectively with diverse, low-income, and immigrant communities
  • Leadership, supervision, and team-building skills with a track record of coaching staff and fostering a collaborative environment
  • Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking to navigate operational challenges and develop pragmatic solutions
  • Empathy, patience, and participant-centered approach to service delivery and education
  • Adaptability and comfort working in dynamic community and public health environments
  • Facilitation and group training skills to lead workshops and learning sessions confidently
  • Stakeholder engagement and partnership development to build sustainable community collaborations
  • Time management and project coordination with the ability to plan multi-component interventions and events

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health, Community Health, Health Education, Social Work, or related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Master of Public Health (MPH), or graduate degree in Nutrition, Public Health, or related discipline preferred.
  • Certifications such as Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), SNAP-Ed certification, or Project Management (PMP) are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Public Health or Community Health
  • Health Education or Health Promotion
  • Social Work or Human Services

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years of professional experience coordinating community nutrition, public health, or grant-funded programs.

Preferred: 3–7+ years of progressively responsible experience in nutrition program management, demonstrated success with grant-funded initiatives (e.g., WIC or SNAP-Ed), experience supervising staff, and a track record of measurable program outcomes. Bilingual candidates and those with direct experience in community outreach, M&E, and fiscal management are strongly encouraged to apply.

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