Job Satisfaction and Retention of Community Nutrition Educators: The Importance of Perceived Value of the Program, Consultative Supervision, and Work Relationships

Abstract

Objective To investigate how paraprofessional Community Nutrition Educators’ (CNEs’) perceptions of work context relate to job satisfaction and intention to leave the position. Design Cross-sectional statewide survey of program personnel. Setting Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) sites (n = 32) serving low- income families in New York. Participants CNEs delivering EFNEP (n = 115). Main Outcome Measures CNE job satisfaction and intention to leave. Analysis Multivariate regression analysis predicting work attitudes from perceived work context, CNE personality traits, and characteristics of CNEs, supervisors, and programs. Results Despite low satisfaction with pay, overall job satisfaction was high and intention to leave was low. Satisfaction was positively related to CNEs’ perceptions of program value, work relationships, and having a voice in relevant decisions (adjusted R 2 = 0.60). Intention to leave was negatively related to perceptions of program value and supervision and satisfaction with pay (adjusted R 2 = 0.36), but the latter relationship was found only among more educated CNEs. Conclusions and Implications CNEs’ satisfaction and intention to leave were strongly associated with perceptions of program value, work relationships, and consultative management. Intrinsically motivating work, often viewed as the domain of professionals, is critical for the morale and retention of paraprofessional nutrition educators.