Program Assistant, Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy

Job no: 514074

Position type: Staff

Location: New York

Categories: Hybrid

Posting Summary:

The Laurie M. Tisch Center for Food, Education & Policy (Tisch Food Center) is housed at Teachers College, Columbia University Department of Health Studies and Applied Educational Psychology, Program in Nutrition. The Program in Nutrition was founded in 1909 and welcomes diverse students, empowering them to become nutrition leaders through a rigorous curriculum and supervised worksite practice. Graduates use research, advocacy, and behavior change strategies to inspire healthy physical activity and food choices, to prevent and manage diet-related medical conditions, to transform the food system, and to improve food access for all. The Tisch Food Center was launched in February, 2013 and is a leader locally, nationally, and internationally, particularly around food and nutrition education in schools and school meals.

The Tisch Food Center works to create a healthy, just, and sustainable food system by designing innovative studies, developing novel food and nutrition curricula, creating relevant and practical tools for our stakeholders, and engaging with schools, communities, and policy makers. We believe that food and nutrition education has a crucial role to play in empowering people to understand and navigate the food system, as well as to become advocates for change on personal and policy levels.

Job Summary/Basic Function:

The Tisch Food Center seeks a Program Assistant who will work on the project “Creating Resources Uplifting Nutrition, Culture, and Health at Lunch (CRUNCH Lunch).


The Program Assistant supports the CRUNCH Lunch initiative by assisting with research, data collection, curriculum development, and program operations. This role works closely with Principal Investigator Pamela Koch, EdD, RDN, Co-Investigator Felicia Mensah, PhD, and Project Manager Raynika Trent, MS, MEd.



CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with research activities, including data collection, entry, and analysis
• Support the development, review, and organization of curricular materials
• Collect data in school-based settings in accordance with research protocols
• Assist with preparing reports, research papers, and project documentation
• Support program operations and coordinate tasks to meet project deadlines
• Review existing lessons, books, and create original classroom materials, and post them to the CRUNCH Lunch online resource hub.
• Work with New York City Public Schools and teachers who are implementing CRUNCH Lunch to assist with implementation and with collecting and organizing data.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BS from an accredited four-year college or university in Nutrition, Food Studies, STEM Studies or Education.
• Experience working with school students in relation to food and nutrition education or school meals.
• Excellent oral/written communication skills and can create concise, professional work.
• Must be available between 8am and 5pm to travel to New York City Public Schools in Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens as needed.
• Strong communication, writing, and technology skills (e.g. Google Drive, Google Apps, Zoom, Canva, Microsoft Office Suite, and basic website maintenance).
• Ability to work independently with exceptional follow-up skills.
• Exercise professional judgment, work independently, show initiative, communicate effectively, and demonstrate excellent organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in nutrition, food studies, STEM studies or education preferred.
• Experience with human subjects research.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills as a team player.
• Ability to work with conflicting demands and to meet deadlines.
• Detail-oriented and excellent organizational and time management skills.
  

Salary Range:

$56,000-$70,000

Work Modality:

Hybrid

Competitive Compensation and Benefits

The salary range reflects the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the compensation for the position at the time of the job posting. Salary decisions are dependent on several factors including but not limited to market and organizational considerations, experience, and qualifications of a selected candidate as well as internal and external equity.

Our benefits contribute significantly to the total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance plans; flexible and hybrid work schedules; tuition remission; life insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; an exceptional employer retirement matching program; health savings accounts (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Hybrid/Remote

Teachers College maintains a hybrid work environment, which provides employees with flexible work arrangements while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person college-campus culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite or in a hybrid model (a combination of in-office and virtual days). Employees are expected to live within a 150-mile radius of the College.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Teachers College is committed to fostering an inclusive academic community and to providing equal opportunity in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age, citizenship, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.

If you would like to discuss any disability-related accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or a similar law, related to applying for employment at Teachers College, Columbia University, please email the Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities: [email protected]

Advertised: Feb 19, 2026 Eastern Standard Time

Applications close: Mar 31, 2026 Eastern Daylight Time