School Nutrition Program Specialist (00112)

State of Montana•Helena, MT

11d•Remote

About The Position

This position performs various professional duties to oversee approximately 269 School Nutrition Program sponsors (school districts) and 97 Summer Food Service Program sponsors statewide. This position conducts off-site and on-site monitoring for Administrative and Procurement Reviews following U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) review criteria. Onsite and offsite monitoring requires demonstrated skill in using complicated data to resolve sensitive problems through individualized solutions. The scope of this position includes knowledge in program compliance monitoring, program management, state and federal laws and departmental rules and policies related to School Nutrition Programs, nutrition counsel, resource management, and budgeting and fiscal systems. The Administrative Review, Procurement Review, and Summer Food Service Program Review processes are mandated by the USDA respectively under 7 CFR Part 210.18, 7 CFR 210.21, 215.14a, 220.16, and 7 CFR 225.7. This position applies expert nutrition counsel in combination with specialized knowledge related to School Nutrition Programs regulations to communicate with schools and the general public; interprets complex regulations to schools and the general public; and assists schools in implementing policies and procedures to comply with the regulations. The position stays up-to-date on new regulations and amendments to existing regulations of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs, continually notifies and educates sponsors of new and changing laws, and monitors compliance with the National School Lunch Program federal requirements (administrative requirements, procurement requirements, and nutrition standards). The nutrition expertise provided to the school meal programs help school children in Montana reach their full potential in both academic and physical development.

Requirements

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.
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.
Skill in using a computer and typical business applications.
Skilled in written and verbal communication skills.
Skilled in creating/conducting training (in person and virtual).

Nice To Haves

Registered dietitian or Registered nutrition and dietetic technician preferred.
Federal nutrition program experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Conducts off-site and on-site monitoring for Administrative and Procurement Reviews following U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) review criteria.
Applies expert nutrition counsel in combination with specialized knowledge related to School Nutrition Programs regulations to communicate 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 the regulations.
Stays up-to-date on new regulations and amendments to existing regulations of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs.
Continually notifies and educates sponsors of new and changing laws.
Monitors compliance with the National School Lunch Program federal requirements (administrative requirements, procurement requirements, and nutrition standards).