High Obesity Program (HOP) Physical Activity Area Specialist CS9628

Campus: OSU–Stillwater | Contact:
Nancy Johnson, nancy.johnson

Work schedule:

Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm with occasional evenings and weekends.

Appointment length:
Regular Continuous/Until Further Notice.

Hiring range: $56,040–$84,060, commensurate with education and experience.

OSU Extension’s Community Nutrition Education Programs (CNEP) aim to educate and empower limited-resource families and youth to improve nutrition and physical activity behaviors. CNEP includes the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP‑Ed), known as the Oklahoma Nutrition Education (ONE) program in Oklahoma. Our nutrition lessons focus on diet quality, food safety, physical activity, food security, and food resource management.

Our Nutrition Education Assistants (NEAs) provide research-based, hands‑on learning experiences for families and youth at no cost.

OSU Extension is seeking a qualified and motivated individual to support a CDC federally funded High Obesity Program initiative. The program focuses on policy, system, and environmental approaches to improve access to healthy foods, safe and accessible places for physical activity, and fostering healthy community environments. The position works collaboratively with Extension educators, community organizations, and other partners to implement, evaluate, and sustain evidence‑based strategies that advance public health outcomes in ten counties with high adult obesity rates.

The HOP Physical Activity Area Specialist is a full‑time, 12‑month position funded through a five‑year grant (Year 3, 2025‑2026). Continuation beyond the current funding period depends on annual renewal of funds, program needs, and satisfactory performance.

This role reports to the Project Director and Principal Investigator in the Department of Nutritional Sciences  Physical Activity Area Specialist partners with Cooperative Extension, public health, planning, parks & recreation, transportation, and local government stakeholders to plan, implement, evaluate, and support evidence‑based community design strategies that foster activity‑friendly environments across all ten HOP‑eligible counties. Daily in‑state travel is expected; some out‑of‑state travel may be required for professional meetings and is reimbursed in accordance with OSU travel guidelines.

• Lead planning and implementation of built‑environment strategies aligned with CDC’s guidance to create activity‑friendly communities; improve pedestrian infrastructure, expand bicycle networks, promote mixed‑use development, and support policy adoption such as Complete Streets and Safe Routes initiatives.
• Collaborate across sectors (public health, transportation, planning, parks/recreation, local government, and schools) to coordinate active‑living initiatives and develop memoranda of understanding that strengthen partnerships.
• Provide technical assistance, workshops, and training for community partners on activity‑friendly design, walk audits, planning, and evaluation; support integration of health metrics into transportation and planning processes.
• Work with planning agencies, transportation departments, and local officials to integrate pedestrian, bicycle, and green‑space elements into comprehensive plans, zoning codes, and land‑use policies.
• Assist in data collection, infrastructure assessments, walkability and bikeability audits, and mapping community access to physical‑activity opportunities; monitor changes over time to measure progress.
• Engage in frequent travel to meet with local partners, attend planning and coalition meetings, conduct site visits, and provide on‑site technical assistance and facilitation.
• Maintain accurate program and fiscal records, assist with grant reporting, and contribute to sustainability and continuation proposals.
• Represent OSU Extension and the active‑living initiative at community events, conferences, and coalition meetings to promote awareness and support for activity‑friendly community design.

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Community…