Description

Description of Job

Work Environment:

• Office hours are typically Mon-Fri, 8:00 am-5:00 pm
• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.
• LIGHT/Office environment:
  • Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.
  • Required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force frequently or 20 lbs occasionally
  • Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
  • Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
• Occasional travel within Denver Metro/Downtown for Meetings/Training.
• Frequent travel within Colorado.
• A Remote (Home) office is required.
• Required to report to the work location occasionally.
• Ability and willingness to travel, as determined by job responsibilities and requirements, primarily within Colorado. 
• Approximate travel is 25% and varies throughout the year.
• The ability to pass a background check.

Position Summary:
This position is responsible for implementing the unit's strategic plans for training, communication, and outreach. In collaboration with unit teams, this position will conduct training, technical assistance, and monitoring for sponsors to support program improvement, effectiveness, and innovation and ensure compliance with federal and state child nutrition program rules and regulations.

***Currently this position is eligible for a hybrid (office/remote within Colorado) flexible work environment and is required to report to the office location as needed.***

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Oversight (40%)
•Responsible for implementing the unit's strategic plans for training, communication and outreach.
•Provides professional development for the internal team to ensure implementation of best practices around conducting reviews, technical assistance visits and working with a caseload.
•Oversees and coordinates the implementation of best practices for in-person, virtual and self-paced online trainings.
•Serves as the unit's website content coordinator; responsible for updating and maintaining website documents, files, images and page layouts.
• Responsible for preparing and editing the unit's e-newsletter and coordinating outreach efforts with the CDE communications team.
• In collaboration with unit teams, develops and project manages workplans encompassing goals, objectives, and strategies for training, compliance, communication and outreach, process improvement, and evaluation for program areas overseen.
• Provides written instruction, guidance and training to program sponsors related to program areas overseen.
• In collaboration with unit and applicable stakeholders, develops and implements streamlined processes and procedures for program areas overseen.

In collaboration with unit teams, this position:
•Provides subject matter expertise and support for the unit's training evaluations.
•Provides support for the Advisory Council for School Nutrition, including training and outreach to advisory council members.
• Provides subject matter expertise and support for the unit's dietetic internship program and new employee onboarding, including mentoring and updating and maintaining resources and tools.
•Provides subject matter expertise and support for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, including providing training, technical assistance and communications to program operators.
• Provides oversight and/or support for third party contracts related to training and communications.

Program Monitoring and Compliance Reviews (30%)
• Knows, analyzes and interprets federal and state child nutrition program rules and regulations.
• Knows child nutrition program administrative review procedures and requirements.
• Conducts accurate and consistent administrative reviews, including pre-approval visits and vendor reviews, to ensure compliance with federal and state child nutrition program rules and regulations.
• Prepares accurate review-related correspondence and reports using effective written communication.
• Communicates program-related information to sponsors using effective verbal and written communication and excellent customer service skills.  
• Consults with appropriate sponsor personnel regarding identified findings and corrective actions, if needed, to be in compliance with rules and regulations. Effectively communicates findings, both verbally and in writing, so that the findings are placed in appropriate context and clearly understood.
• Assists with processing annual participation agreements including determining sponsor eligibility for participation.

Technical Assistance and Training (25%)
• In collaboration with unit teams, plans, develops and implements internal and external trainings related to all child nutrition programs/program areas.
• Effectively trains internal and external customers on various topics related to child nutrition programs. Responsible for providing technical assistance to sponsors about child nutrition programs/program areas.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining applicable tools and resources for program areas overseen.
• Effectively uses various training modalities and excellent presentation and communication skills  to train diverse audiences with varying knowledge and skill levels.
• Collaboratively develops effective presentations for conferences, workshops and meetings on various topics related to child nutrition programs and initiatives.
• Conducts training and presentations at district, state, and regional conferences and meetings.
• Conducts technical assistance site visits and provide any follow up assistance as needed.
• Assists sponsors in creating strategic plans to address identified challenges and opportunities.

Miscellaneous (5%)
• Attends and participates in meetings and work groups with various stakeholders.
• Participates in unit teams using effective accountability, communication, customer service, interpersonal and job knowledge skills to support the School Nutrition Unit's strategic plan and related initiatives.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health, or a related field of study related to the work assignment.

 AND Specific experience in:

• At least three (3) years of relevant work experience must be in State and Federal Child Nutrition programs.

Substitution: Experience in lieu of Education:

• Four (4) years of professional work experience in Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health, or another field of study related to the work assignment will substitute for the Bachelor's Degree.

AND Specific Experience in:

• At least three (3) years of the relevant work experience must be in State and Federal Child Nutrition programs.

Substitution: Additional Education and Experience: 

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health, or a related field of study related to the work assignment will substitute for the Bachelor's degree.

AND Specific Experience in: 

• At least three (3) years of relevant work experience must be in State and Federal Child Nutrition programs.

Preferred Qualifications: 
(These are not required but are preferred)

• School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) preferred
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN/RD) preferred 
  

Minimum Competency Requirements:

• Knowledge of the administration and management of child nutrition programs and the federal and state laws governing them;
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of child nutrition food service operations including menu planning, meal benefits, meal claiming, food safety, procurement systems, and financial management;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to effectively present complex information to diverse audiences orally and in writing;
• Ability to effectively and competently manage multiple assignments simultaneously and meet critical deadlines. Is a role model for consistency and the timely and successful completion of tasks and projects;
• Effectively plans and implements successful projects utilizing the strengths of others;
• Ability to research information, organize information and deliver technical assistance and training to customers;
• Ability to interpret policies and procedures, assess programs, identify problems, apply problem-solving techniques and determine improvements and solutions;
• Ability to work and collaborate effectively with a variety of individuals; demonstrating professionalism while providing exceptional customer service;
• Takes initiative to increase job knowledge for self and others;
• Ability to use sound judgment; to communicate effectively, and establish and maintain effective working relationships in a team environment;
• Understands and is committed to goals of equity; embraces behaviors and attitudes that enable effective work cross-culturally;
• Ability to conduct effective presentations and training at workshops, conferences, and other meetings;
• Ability and willingness to travel, as determined by job responsibilities and requirements, primarily within Colorado;
• Approximate travel is 25% and varies throughout the year;
• The ability to pass a background check.

Supplemental Information

Complete Applications must include:

• Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS.
• Cover Letter: Required - Attached to the online application.
• Resume: Required - Attached to the online application.
• Transcript: Required if using education to meet Minimum Qualifications - Attached to the online application and meeting requirements as described under "College Transcripts".
• Licensure Verification (if applicable): Required - Attached to the online application.

College Transcripts: If you are using education to qualify, a legible copy of your official or unofficial college transcript(s) or a foreign credential evaluation report must be submitted with your application. Transcripts must show the name of the school and that a degree was conferred. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or foreign credential evaluation report may result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position. 

**Failure to submit a complete application as defined above by the announcement close will result in your application being removed from consideration.**

** Resumes and Cover Letters WILL NOT be reviewed for minimum qualification screening. 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Equal Employment Opportunity
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, a medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
 
The Colorado Department of Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to hr@cde.state.co.us.