Contaminants in School Meals Research Intern at the Chef Ann Foundation (CU PIIE)

This internship is part of the CU Public Interest Internship Experience (PIIE). Please visit our website for qualifications, descriptions, and information on how to apply to this and other internships. If you have questions about this internship, please email cupiie@colorado.edu.

Position Title: Contaminants in School Meals Research Intern 

Host Organization: Chef Ann Foundation | Homepage

This position resides on our Research & Evaluation team and reports to the Senior Coordinator of Research & Evaluation. The Contaminants in School Meals Research Intern will support Chef Ann Foundation’s (CAF) FDA-funded research on heavy metal contaminants in school meals and validation of the scratch cooking continuum. We’re partnering with five school districts on a groundbreaking pilot study supported by the Food and Drug Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to evaluate the toxicological safety and nutritional quality of school meals. We are partnering with participating districts to shift menus toward whole-food, minimally processed meals, reduce potential contaminants (such as heavy metals), and measure changes over the project period. The primary responsibility will be data entry and cleaning for our assessment of scratch cooking practices among 5 districts participating in the research study. This will include reviewing district menus, cleaning data in spreadsheets, creating district handouts, and other tasks as needed. We are looking for interested candidates with the following skills and experience: Technical Skills Essential: Access to working computer, reliable internet, and a video conferencing camera Working knowledge of Google Workspace, particularly Google Sheets Interest and/or experience in food and agricultural policy in the United States relevant to child nutrition programs Optional: Working knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods Working knowledge of policy analysis, writing, and advocacy Interpersonal Skills Strong written and verbal communication for technical and lay audiences Collaborative and interdisciplinary mindset Strong organizational skills Ability to work independently and in groups Open to feedback and course correction Gained Skills & Experience Knowledge of the school food ecosystem and its nationwide impact, including public health, the environment, and the local and national economy Exposure to school nutrition operational landscapes, including labor constraints, facilities requirements, and procurement practices Knowledge and application of program evaluation models and crafting program recommendations for a diverse audience

Intern Qualifications: Interest and/or research experience in food systems, school food, nutrition, and/or public health

Ideal Candidate: Interested and engaged, self-directed, clear communicator, ability to learn and navigate new technology platforms quickly, detail-oriented

This position is fully remote, with CAF team members based nationally. Interns need to have access to a reliable computer and Wifi. CAF will provide email address and Google Workspace access.