Nutrition Consultant Part Time Temporary

Department Information

This is a temporary position, expected to last 9 months or less, applications will be accepted from Residents and Non-Residents of Colorado.

Incumbent will be required to complete work for CDE within Colorado.

Colorado Department Of Education – What We Do

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) provides leadership, resources, support, and accountability to the state's 178 school districts, 1,888 schools, over 53,000 teachers, and over 3,200 administrators to help them build capacity to meet the needs of the state's approximately 905,000 public school students. In addition, CDE provides structural and administrative support to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Charter School Institute.

As the administrative arm of the State Board of Education , CDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, licensing all educators, and providing public transparency of performance and financial data.

CDE is a values-based agency that serves students, parents, and the general public by protecting public trust through ensuring adherence to laws, strong stewardship of public funds, and accountability for student performance.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

Description Of Job

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position is Temporary, Part-time, is Hybrid (Remote/Home Office w/requirement to report to Work location per business needs)

• Office hours are typically Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm
• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs
• 25% Travel requiredwithin State of Colorado for Meetings/Training
• A Remote (Home) office is required
• Required to report to the work location per business needs
• Essential Functions (ADAAA)
• SEDENTARY/Office environment:
• Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time
• Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
• DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIRED- Required to safely operate a motor vehicle (OR State of Colorado motor vehicle) to complete travel requirement

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provides oversight, subject matter expertise and program/project management for the implementation of the Local Food Program under the Healthy School Meals for All program and provides support for farm to school and other grant initiatives across the state, and assists with procurement and food service management companies.

This position will provide training and technical assistance to child nutrition program sponsors across the state to support program improvement, effectiveness, innovation and ensure compliance with federal and state child nutrition program rules and regulations. This position also conducts administrative reviews and assists with processing annual participation agreements.

Major Duties And Responsibilities

Program Oversight (40%)

• Provides oversight, subject matter expertise and program/project management for the implementation of the Local Food Program under the Healthy School Meals for All program.
• Provides oversight of the development and implementation of the Local Food Program including the opt-in process, advisory committee, and data collection tool; ensures sponsors receive proper funding, comply with allowable use of funds and advisory committee requirements and data reported is accurate.
• In collaboration with CDE competitive grants and grants fiscal units, coordinates the application and payment for awardees of the Local Food Program.
• Responsible for program data reporting and preparing the annual legislative report.
• Oversees the annual audit of the Local Food Program.
• Assists leadership with tracking funding for the Local Food Program budget.
• Provides oversight, subject matter expertise and program/project management for the Healthy School Meals for All program technical assistance education grant program. Leads the grant award process; collaborates and coordinates work with the awarded non-profit organization.
• Connects schools and local farms for purposes of the Local Food Program.
• Provides support to the Farm to School Coordinator for farm to school initiatives across the state and provides support for other School Nutrition grant related initiatives as needed.
• Assists with responsibilities related to procurement and food service management companies Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing internal and external technical assistance, training and outreach, reviewing contracts and policies, data reporting and implementing program area workplans.
• 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.
• Oversees implementation and development of rules for new or revised legislation or grants.
• 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.
  
  

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 program areas overseen.
• Effectively trains internal and external customers on various topics related to child nutrition programs. Responsible for providing training and technical assistance to sponsors about the Local Food Program including allowable use of funds, grant programming, and reporting and auditing requirements.
• 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.
• Other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in nutrition, dietetics, public health or related field OR appropriate combination of education and experience AND
• At least three years of relevant work experience
  
  

Qualifications And Conditions

• Knowledge of the administration and management of child nutrition programs and the federal and state laws governing them.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices 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 trainings 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 .
  
  

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.* *
  
  

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.