Child Nutrition Program Associate

Job description

Note: We are not currently reviewing new applications for this position. Please submit your application if you would like to be considered in the event that we re-open the candidate pool. At Project Bread, we have a deep commitment to creating positive social change and recognize that hunger and racism are inextricably linked. We work in a fast-paced environment that values learning, innovation, and diverse perspectives. Knowing its centrality to our work, Project Bread is committed to equity and inclusion. We aspire to build a diverse team, including groups that are traditionally underrepresented among our sector leadership. We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Supervisor: Assistant Director of Child Nutrition Starting Salary Range : $56,000-60,000 The Role: The Child Nutrition Program Associate will play a critical support role on the Child Nutrition Team, improving children's access to quality nutrition across Massachusetts. The Associate will work across multiple program areas, including Summer Eats, School Breakfast, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), while also providing broader administrative support that keeps the team's work running smoothly. This is a solution-oriented, collaborative role, ideal for someone who enjoys wearing many hats: moving between administrative tasks, research projects, and hands-on outreach with schools and communities, sometimes all in the same week. The ideal candidate brings strong organizational and relationship-building skills, is energized by a fast-changing to-do list, and is excited to help build out a brand-new area of work as Project Bread expands into CACFP. Primary Responsibilities: Program Outreach & Support Support the expansion of Summer Eats in targeted communities, in collaboration with the Assistant Director, including conducting community-level research and identifying potential collaborative partners. Assist in developing partnerships with local community and school district leaders, community-based organizations, and community networks to support the creation of new program sites. Help implement outreach strategies that increase participation in child nutrition programs, including providing technical assistance, resources, and support to new and existing program operators. Execute research and exploratory projects, in collaboration with Child Nutrition Team members, to inform outreach programming for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) — a new area of work for Project Bread. Administrative Program Support Collaborate with the Program Manager on event management and administrative tasks to plan, execute, and evaluate the annual Summer Eats Conference. Organize and execute mailings of child nutrition program materials to meal providers across the state. Support the outreach team with key program functions, such as fulfilling material requests, organizing photos and content, and preparing presentation slides. Maintain program data and record-keeping systems, including monthly and annual program tracking and reporting. Collaborate with team members on special projects as assigned by the Director or Assistant Director of Child Nutrition. Organizational Responsibilities: Support the annual Walk for Hunger, including working as event staff the weekend of the Walk (first weekend in May), and attending pre-Walk events as assigned. Participate in organization-wide events and meetings. Act to promote, sustain, and grow Project Bread's positive, productive, and inclusive working environment. Qualifications: There are innumerable ways to learn, grow and excel professionally. We know people gain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences. Project Bread recognizes this when we review applications and take a broad look at the experience of each applicant. We want to get to know you and the unique strengths you will bring to the work. This said, we are most likely to be interested in your candidacy if you can demonstrate most of the qualifications and experiences listed below. Priority Competencies: Communication & Collaboration: Works effectively as part of multiple teams and across concurrent projects. Communicates clearly, stays open to feedback, and adjusts approach based on what a task or teammate needs. Project Management & Organization: Manages a full plate of work efficiently, keeps multiple projects moving in parallel, and catches small details and inconsistencies that others might miss. Stakeholder Engagement: Builds genuine, collaborative relationships with external partners — school districts, community organizations, meal providers — and maintains them over time. Adaptability & Learning Agility: Picks up new program areas and systems quickly and confidently. Comfortable diving into an unfamiliar program area, like CACFP, that's still being built out, and knows when to ask questions along the way. Additional Qualifications and Experience: Prior professional experience in nonprofit or community-based settings. Familiarity with school food service programs and/or other child nutrition programs is a plus. Comfortable being a self-starter who can jump into a range of situations and settings, working both independently and as part of a team. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly with a range of audiences. Ability to travel within Massachusetts, to visit and transport materials to meal providers and stakeholders not accessible by public transportation. Personal commitment to solving hunger in Massachusetts. Work Location All employees are currently working in a hybrid remote-and-in-person model and are expected to work in person at least one day per week. The Program Associate will regularly work in person at Project Bread's East Boston office and on location within assigned Eastern MA communities. Benefits Benefits include health and dental, flexible spending accounts, retirement plan with match after one year, fully paid PFML leave, life and long-term disability, contributions to commuting costs and wellness expenses, and flexible paid time off. How to Apply Please apply here by completing our application form and uploading your resume and cover letter in MS Word or Pdf format. Priority consideration will be given to candidates that apply by August 10th. Project Bread is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, height, weight, or marital status in employment or the provision of services. Please contact us at if you would like to request special accommodations during the interview process.