[Hiring] School Nutrition Program Specialist @State of Montana

Role Description

This position performs various professional duties to oversee approximately 269 School Nutrition Program sponsors (school districts) and 97 Summer Food Service Program sponsors statewide.

• Conducts off-site and on-site monitoring for Administrative and Procurement Reviews following U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) review criteria.
• Requires demonstrated skill in using complicated data to resolve sensitive problems through individualized solutions.
• Scope includes knowledge in program compliance monitoring, program management, state and federal laws, and departmental rules and policies related to School Nutrition Programs.
• Applies expert nutrition counsel in combination with specialized knowledge related to School Nutrition Programs regulations.
• Communicates with schools and the general public; interprets complex regulations to schools and the general public.
• Assists schools in implementing policies and procedures to comply with regulations.
• Stays up-to-date on new regulations and amendments to existing regulations of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs.
• Monitors compliance with the National School Lunch Program federal requirements.
• Provides nutrition expertise to help school children in Montana reach their full potential in both academic and physical development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with an academic major in areas including food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education or a related field.
• Two years of experience in any of the following: nutrition, institutional food management programs and/or adult education/training programs.
• Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Requirements

• Knowledge of nutrition and food concepts and the relationship to education; institutional food service management and production; operational and financial management; nutrition program planning; State and Federal regulations; public health and management; and research methodologies.
• Knowledge or professional experience with USDA Child Nutrition programs regulations.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation, conflict management, nutrition, and the science of foods and their application in health and disease prevention.
• Knowledge of the operations, services, and activities of the assigned programs; the principles, procedures, methods, and treatments related to the assigned programs; and pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to the assigned programs.
• Skilled in analyzing data from various sources used by the School Nutrition Program and research results from professional studies.
• Skilled in interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, other agencies/programs at the Federal and State level, local agency staff, food company representatives, program participants, and the public.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Skilled in using a computer and typical business applications.
• Skilled in written and verbal communication skills and creating/conducting training (in person and virtual).

Benefits

• Work/life balance
• Family friendly
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public service loan forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.