FNW PROGRAM SPECIALIST IV-DACS - 42004088

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

22d • $56,515 - $59,341 • Hybrid

About The Position

This position provides shared responsibility for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements for school meals and supporting healthy school environments within the framework of the child nutrition programs. The role involves analyzing and evaluating various school meal program menu plans to ensure they meet minimum requirements, including nutritional content and portion sizes. It also includes providing technical assistance to school food authorities, developing and maintaining nutrition-related resources, and serving as a content expert. The position reviews wellness policies, assists with dietetic intern selection and training, analyzes recipe nutritional content, and supports emergency management functions.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent and eight (8) years of professional or technical experience in consumer complaint program work, business administration, consumer or public relations, investigations, administrative work, professional regulation, or a field related to the area of responsibility; OR A bachelor's degree (four (4) years) from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of professional experience in consumer complaint program work, business administration, customer or public relations, investigations, administrative work, professional regulation, or a field related to the area of responsibility; OR A master's degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• Possession of a valid Driver’s License.
• Must be a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) as defined by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a condition of employment.
• Must be willing to obtain additional training appropriate to job functions.
• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.
• Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of methods, techniques, and equipment used in quantity food production, including purchasing, menu planning, merchandising, sanitation, food storage, staffing, and equipment.
• Knowledge of basic nutritional needs of children.
• Knowledge of food cost accounting.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to Child Nutrition Programs.
• Ability to learn, interpret and apply applicable state and federal rules and regulations.
• Skill in communicating effectively and advising program participants on the application of nutrition principles.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to analyze program-related issues accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Skill in integrating nutrition education with school food service programs.
• Ability to advise sponsors on the application of nutrition principles to the food service programs.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and evaluate National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Afterschool Snack Program (ASSP), and Summer Programs (SFSP and SSO) menu plans submitted by prospective (new) and existing school food authorities to ensure they meet minimum requirements.
• Evaluate nutrition and menu related information to ensure planned menus for the appropriate age/grade group (infant, pre-K, K-5, 6-8, 9-12) are met for both self-preparation and vended program meals.
• Check plans to ensure creditable food items from each of the required food components are offered and the minimum portion sizes and quantities are served as required for federal reimbursement.
• Using nutrient analysis software or other tools, conduct nutrient analyses or nutrient assessments to verify calories, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat meet established nutrition standards.
• Complete USDA Menu Certification Worksheets and/or approved USDA software program.
• Provide technical assistance to school food authorities related to menu development, standardized recipe and yield information, nutritional analysis and menu certification, and best practices related to customer service, marketing program meals and smarter lunchroom techniques.
• Assist all division program areas with developing, implementing, and presenting nutrition-related training and training resources, as assigned.
• Develop and maintain nutrition-related resources and materials for use by agency staff and school food authorities, which includes, but is not limited to, the development of menu template forms, sample menu plans, documents and reports.
• Serve as content expert for agency staff and school food authorities related to menu planning, meal pattern compliance, menu certification and nutrient analysis.
• Review and respond to nutrition-related requests (i.e., whole grain-rich waivers), special diet and meal modification inquiries, food production record reviews, Smart Snack and competitive foods questions, and other applicable program inquiries.
• Research federal and state regulatory guidance and respond to requests, as assigned, to include school food authority, parent or community member and Capitol correspondence inquiries.
• Review wellness policies submitted by school food authorities to ensure compliance with the federal wellness policy rules.
• Assist school food authorities in the development of local school wellness policies by assisting with research and providing recommendations that are effective, evidence-based strategies to consider when developing local school wellness policies and goals.
• Serve as a resource and content expert on wellness policies and healthy school teams for agency staff and school food authorities.
• Assist in the selection, training and evaluation of the dietetic interns during the program year.
• Serve as a content expert and assist the Dietetic Internship Program with the review, implementation and/or conducting of nutrition related projects as needed.
• Work with division chef or other staff to analyze nutritional content of recipes.
• Assist with the emergency management functions of the bureau during periods of disaster.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned.

Benefits

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior