Child Nutrition Program Specialist I

PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Job ID: 35908

Agency: Department of Education (DOE) - Child and Adult Nutrition Services (CANS)

Location:Pierre, SD

Salary: $27.84/hr

Pay Grade: J

Closing Date: 05/15/2026

Are you ready to change career paths and still use your strengths and talents? Do you enjoy visiting communities and building relationships? Read more - this could be the job for you!

The Child Nutrition Program Specialist I position supports South Dakota program operators by providing guidance and technical assistance to ensure children, families, and seniors have access to nutritious food. Comprehensive on‑the‑job training is provided, and no prior federal nutrition program experience is required.

What We Offer To You Beyond The Paycheck

• Flexibility with Travel, no On-call Time, and Most Work Done During Normal Office Hours
• Eligibility for Travel Per Diems
• Health Insurance ($0 employee-only premium option)
• Well-Being Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Basic Life Insurance Coverage (free to employees)
• Membership in the South Dakota Retirement System
• Vacation Leave (15 paid vacation days per year)
• Sick Leave (14 paid sick days)
• Paid Family Leave (40 hours per week for twelve weeks for birth or adoption of a child)
• Military Leave (15 paid days per calendar year)
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Longevity Pay
• Semimonthly Pay Periods
  
  

Join the SD Department of Education

The incumbent will coordinate and administer several USDA Nutrition Programs for South Dakota. This position will collaborate with the Food Distribution Programs team to manage, evaluate, and support activities for The Emergency Food Assistance Program and provide support in other nutrition/distribution programs, such as the Child Nutrition Programs. Learn more about CANS at https://doe.sd.gov/cans/ and DOE at https://doe.sd.gov/ . This is a full-time, 40-hour weekly position with the Department of Education. Collaboration with federal partners and travel is frequent. Flexibility for travel schedule is allowed.

Primary Responsibilities For This Position Include

• visit and collaborate with the Food Distribution and Child Nutrition Programs teams to direct, manage, and evaluate state and/or federal programs;
• collaborating with program operators (e.g. food banks/ pantries, school districts, childcare centers, non-profits, etc.) to ensure rules and regulations are followed and program integrity is maintained;
• reading and interpreting federal regulations to guide and assist program operators with questions about program operations;
• planning, developing, and conducting training for program operators at meetings, workshops, webinars, and/or conferences; and
• planning and conducting outreach to expand programming to new organizations; and
• assist with developing outreach materials.
  
  

In and out-of-state travel is required for this position. Travel is estimated at between 30-60%; although, actual travel amounts will be driven by needs of the job. Travel area will encompass the entire state of South Dakota.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Oral and Written Communication - Ability to express information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience understanding and the nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); make clear and convincing oral presentations; actively listen, attend to nonverbal cues, and respond appropriately; appropriately apprise department, team, and stakeholder work.
• Technical Documentation – Ability to develop technical and operational support documentation.
• Marketing and Training Materials - Ability to synthesize complex information and concepts, and create simple, appealing marketing and training materials from multiple stakeholder perspectives.
• Multi-tasking and Flexibility - Work and manage several aspects of the Programs with consistent and professional representation of the department, maintain resource library and website updates, occasional work outside normal business hours.
• Complete, Accurate, and Timely – Ability to meet soft, hard, and competing deadlines on time with a high degree of accuracy.
• Reading Comprehension – Ability to process written text, understand its meaning, and integrate it with what the reader already knows.
• Don't have the preferred items noted below? No problem! On-the-job training and employee growth and development are priorities for our division!**
  
  

Preference Will Be Given To Those Who Possess

• a degree in nutrition, business, or a related field;
• credentials as a Registered Dietitian, RD eligible, or a nutrition / dietetics background; and/or
• direct experience administering a federal nutrition program, federal grant management, or similar work.
  
  

Additional Requirements: Resume and cover letter expressing interest and qualifications. Submitting these documents will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=3ZI

You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration

Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"