Health and Nutrition Services Farm to School Specialist

Title: Health and Nutrition Services Farm to School Specialist

Location: Phoenix United States

Job Description:

Arizona Department of Education

The Arizona Department of Education is a service organization committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION SERVICES FARM TO SCHOOL SPECIALIST

Job Location:

Health and Nutrition Service (HNS) Division

Phoenix Location

Posting Details:

Salary: $64,000 - $70,000

Grade: 21

Job Summary:

• The Health and Nutrition Services (HNS) Farm to School Specialist position is part of the Program Access and Outreach team, responsible for maximizing participant access to nutrition programming and redemption of meal services, ensuring that meal service programs meet or exceed federal requirements, and advancing opportunities to influence positive dietary behaviors among program participants.
• The position will provide technical assistance to support coordination between local farms and schools that intend to integrate local procurement activities into their cafeterias.
• The role will also involve building relationships and collaborating with farmers, educators, school nutrition staff, and community partners to expand program reach, aiming to provide a customer experience that established the team, HNS, and ADE as a trusted partner providing quality service.
• The position is responsible for contributing to the development of plans and associated activities that maximize the ability for children, students and adults in care to participate, to the maximum extent, in USDA Child Nutrition Programs.
• Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel is required for this position.

The Arizona Department of Education currently utilizes a hybrid work environment, with up to two days of remote work (contingent upon business needs). Candidates should apply with an ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

Job Duties:

• Provide advanced and specialized technical assistance focused on Farm to School to meet the needs of various entities that participate in the USDA Child Nutrition Programs
• Utilize outreach and strategic plans designed to maximize access to child nutrition programs; conduct activities associated with outreach plans and objectives, which include working with other stakeholders and partners
• Conduct activities and initiatives related to Farm to School and Farm to Early Childhood Education to positively influence the nutrition environment of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs
• Make connections and develop partnerships that support the AZ Farm to School Network and Farm to School related workgroups
• Collaborate on work with AZ Department of Agriculture as well as other state agency partners focused on Farm to School initiatives
• Work with external partners on procurement methods of local foods and support initiatives or funding related to F2S efforts
• Seek to expand knowledge and maintain awareness of legislative and organizational policy, and other wellness programming that impacts child nutrition program administration and may increase participation in school meal services

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

• Federal regulations, state laws, and policies pertaining to all Child Nutrition Programs
• National and local legislative and health and nutrition program issues
• Knowledge of current practices related to nutrition education
• Federal and State grant opportunities
• Applicants must have work experience in schools, child nutrition, health programs or other federal programs.
• A bachelor's degree in nutrition/dietetics, or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required.

Skills in:

• Meeting and group discussion facilitation
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Time Management
• Intermediate skills in using Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint.

Ability to:

• Research, review, and draw interpretations from public laws and rules
• Establish and maintain interpersonal relationships
• Think critically and make objective determinations
• Conceptualize complex systems and interactions
• Management of multiple projects and tasks
• Work well in a team and across disciplines of health, education, and nutrition

Selective Preference(s):

• Preference will be given to those applicants with Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) or Dietitian Technician, Registered (NDTR), and master's in public health (MPH).

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks, required documents and, if applicable, a post-offer medical/physical evaluation.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
• Ten paid holidays per year
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

You will be required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) upon your 27th week of employment, subject to waiting period. On or shortly after, your first day of employment you will be provided with enrollment instructions and effective date.