Nutrition and Food Systems Specialist - Term-Limited

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is hiring a term-limited Nutrition and Food Systems Specialist in the Healthy Eating Active Living and Cancer Unit of the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch. The role supports strategies to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, including produce prescription and incentive programs, improve access to healthy food, and strengthen nutrition security in Colorado. The position is based at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South in Denver. Hybrid work may be available at the supervisor’s discretion and based on business needs. The role requires travel approximately 10% of the time, primarily for site visits or trainings. The specialist independently supports produce prescription program design, Colorado food-system and produce-procurement work, and policies related to reimbursement and program sustainability. The role provides consultation, education, training, technical assistance, and resources for chronic disease and obesity prevention and policy work. It determines approaches for implementing activities in the Rural Health Transformation Project, State Physical Activity and Nutrition grant, and Maternal and Child Health work plan by reviewing evidence and literature, tailoring technical assistance to audiences, and identifying gaps in initiatives or communications. The position develops and maintains partnerships with statewide partners, state agencies, local public health agencies, community-based organizations, providers and clinics, community members, food policy councils, farmers, producers, and other stakeholders. It identifies prospective partners and networks, advances aligned priorities, and monitors contracts in accordance with state fiscal and contract guidelines. The specialist also manages and monitors project work plans and contracts, tracks progress toward annual objectives, completes documentation and grant reporting, and identifies reporting or analysis systems that help determine when program adjustments are needed. This position is term-limited, and funding is not guaranteed beyond September 30, 2031. The incumbent must be willing and able to resign on that date or when funding runs out, whichever occurs first. Applicants must be Colorado residents when applying and legally authorized to work in the United States; CDPHE does not provide visa sponsorship.

Requirements

Six years of relevant experience in public health, nutrition, healthcare, healthy food access community-based programs, or a closely related field, including relevant program or project management, contract or grant management, client or partner technical assistance, community outreach and engagement, and/or program implementation and evaluation; or a combination of related education and relevant experience equal to six years.
Applicants qualifying through education must provide a copy of transcripts or diploma with the application.
Must be a Colorado resident when submitting the application.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.
Must be willing and able to resign by September 30, 2031, or when funding runs out, whichever comes first.
Must be able to travel approximately 10% of the time for site visits or trainings.
Must complete a pre-employment background check.

Nice To Haves

Experience with nutrition programs, produce prescription program design, the Colorado food system, produce procurement, program reimbursement policies, program sustainability, or increasing access to healthy foods.
Experience working with diverse partners, including statewide partners, state agencies, local public health agencies, community-based organizations, healthcare providers and clinics, community members, food policy councils, farmers, producers, or other collaborative groups.
Expertise in increasing access to healthy food and supporting produce prescription program implementation, including providing technical assistance to influence best practices and program adoption.
Experience managing multiple complex projects or initiatives simultaneously.
Experience independently planning and advancing work, identifying work-plan activities and next steps, anticipating challenges, and using judgment to move projects forward.
Experience developing and managing or monitoring contracts, statements of work, or similar agreements.
Interpersonal and conflict management skills.

Responsibilities

Review evidence and literature on produce prescription program interventions and determine methods for implementing activities in the Rural Health Transformation Project, State Physical Activity and Nutrition grant, and Maternal and Child Health work plan.
Provide consultation, education, training, technical assistance, and resources related to produce prescription programs, nutrition security, healthy food access, chronic disease and obesity prevention, and policy work.
Determine appropriate technical assistance for specific audiences and identify gaps in initiatives or communications that may require updates or revisions.
Develop and maintain partnerships with state and local agencies, community organizations, providers and clinics, community members, food policy councils, farmers, producers, and other stakeholders.
Identify prospective strategic partners, assess alignment with organizational priorities, and determine which networks, trainings, or conferences to engage with or present at.
Manage and monitor contracts in accordance with state fiscal and contract guidelines while maintaining partner relationships.
Organize, implement, monitor, and communicate project work plans to achieve annual objectives.
Report progress, complete required documentation, and meet grant reporting requirements.
Identify systems for ongoing or periodic project analysis and reporting, and determine when program or project adjustments are needed.

Benefits

Medical and dental plans.
Colorado PERA retirement options, including defined benefit or defined contribution plans.
Optional 401(k) and 457 retirement plans.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Potential flexible working arrangements.
11 paid holidays per year and generous paid time off.
Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
Tuition assistance.
Employee wellness programs.
Professional development opportunities.
Career opportunities throughout Colorado state government.
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.