Regional Child Nutrition Program Specialist

State of Oklahoma

8d•$66,358

About The Position

At the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), we go beyond merely offering jobs – we actively seek out extraordinary individuals to join our team. As the primary agency entrusted with overseeing K-12 public education in Oklahoma, we are steadfastly devoted to making a meaningful impact on the districts and students we serve. Our exceptional team at OSDE is renowned for its commitment to superior customer service, innovation, and unwavering dedication to shaping a brighter future for students across the state. We work hand-in-hand with over 500 school districts and maintain a close partnership with the legislature, ensuring that each Oklahoma student receives the exceptional education they deserve. If you're in search of a fulfilling career that allows you to make a profound difference in the lives of children, you've arrived at the right place. Join us in our mission to empower students and elevate the standard of education in Oklahoma. For further insights into OSDE, please visit our website at www.sde.ok.gov. The Regional Child Nutrition Specialist serves as a knowledgeable consultant and trusted resource supporting the effective administration of Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) within an assigned territory. This position provides technical assistance, training, and regulatory guidance to school and non-school administrators and food service personnel. The Specialist interprets state and federal program requirements, proactively addresses operational and compliance concerns, and supports the overall success, integrity, and continuous improvement of child nutrition programs serving children across the region.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Nutrition, or related field. [official transcripts required upon hire]
Three (3) years of experience in the administration or coordination of food and nutrition programs.
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of relevant experience for each year of the required education.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check
Must possess a to perform necessary job-related travel.
Knowledge of Child Nutrition Programs and applicable state and federal regulations, including USDA requirements.
Understanding of food service operations, menu planning, nutrition standards, and procurement practices.
Ability to interpret regulations and apply them practically in operational settings.
Strong instructional and facilitation skills, including the ability to deliver effective training.
Ability to work independently, manage a regional territory, and prioritize multiple responsibilities.
Professional judgment, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and fairness.
Effective Communication: Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas, while also listening actively to others and demonstrating understanding; Ability to demonstrate empathy by showing respect and understanding for the feelings and perspectives of others while paying close attention to non-verbal cues; Ability to adapt communication style to suit the needs of the audience and situation.
Take a proactive approach and work independently: Be resourceful and self-motivated, prioritize work effectively by managing your time well, anticipating challenges, developing creative solutions, paying close attention to detail, and taking ownership of your work.
Collaborate as a team player: Ability to work effectively with others towards a common goal. Including being open-minded, respectful, and responsive to others’ ideas and perspectives. Sharing knowledge and experience while being committed to achieving the team’s objectives and understanding the importance of working collaboratively to achieve success.
Demonstrate excellent planning and organizational skills: Ability to set clear objectives, create a plan of action, break down complex tasks into manageable components, delegate tasks when necessary, and establish a realistic timeline to meet deadlines consistently while developing contingency plans to ensure adaptability to changing circumstances.
Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills: Ability to analyze complex situations, identify key issues, patterns, connections and develop effective logical solutions; Ability to think critically, anticipate potential problems and develop innovative solutions to address them.
Ability to function well in an, at times, stressful, fast paced and deadline driven environment: Ability to work under pressure and in situations where time is limited whilst remaining calm and focused, prioritizing tasks, and adapting to changing circumstances.
Ability to build strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders: Ability to identify opportunities for collaboration, leverage resources effectively, and negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes.
Possess strong interpersonal skills in order to resolve conflicts and manage difficult conversations in a constructive and professional manner.
Knowledge of technology and ability to use it to maximize efficiency and services: Ability to identify opportunities to leverage technology to streamline processes, automate tasks, and improve customer experiences; Familiarity with software, hardware and other relevant technological tools while being able to learn new technologies as they emerge.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Education, Nutrition, or related field [official transcripts required upon hire]

Responsibilities

Provide training and technical assistance to CNP participants within the assigned territory to support program understanding, compliance, and effective operations.
Collaborate with Nutrition Education and Training staff to plan, organize, and deliver in-person and virtual training opportunities.
Assist in the development, maintenance, and implementation of current and relevant training curricula for CNP participants.
Encourage and support the use of online and self-paced training resources.
Provide peer support to fellow regional staff by assisting with technical assistance, administrative reviews, and problem resolution as needed.
Assist with onboarding and training of new field staff.
When a regional field position is vacant, temporarily assist in assuming regulatory responsibilities for that territory to ensure continuity of program oversight.
Conduct comprehensive reviews of Child Nutrition Program operations at participating institutions within the assigned territory using established review instruments.
Evaluate compliance with contract requirements and applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
Review work standards, procurement and purchasing practices, and the proper use of USDA donated foods.
Evaluate menus to ensure required nutritional standards are met.
Review food service facilities to observe food preparation, meal service, and operational practices.
Prepare clear, accurate, and timely reports documenting review findings, observations, and required corrective actions.
Communicate program requirements, updates, and guidance clearly and respectfully to diverse stakeholders.
Identify management or operational concerns and provide guidance to support corrective action and continuous improvement.
Investigate complaints related to Child Nutrition Programs and document findings, recommendations, and required corrective measures.
Provide technical support related to corrective action plans and follow-up activities.
Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude at all times; ability to build and maintain positive work relationships; demonstrate integrity and ethical conduct in all aspects of your work; ability to display a high level of professionalism in communication, behavior, and appearance; ability to accept constructive feedback to increase performance.
Assist with appeal processes related to review findings, including preparation support and testimony, when necessary.
Regular and reliable in-person attendance is required to ensure quality teamwork, performance, productivity, and collaboration; ability to demonstrate a commitment to your work and team by committing to punctuality and dependability in the work environment; this includes arriving to work on time, being present, engaged, and available to colleagues, internal and external customers.
Ability to identify and address the evolving needs and challenges of the education landscape; ability to think critically, explore new ideas and embrace innovative approaches to improve educational outcomes for all students; apply creativity, resourcefulness, and forward-thinking in finding solutions to complex problems and driving positive change in the field of education.
Ensure our resources are utilized effectively, and our operations are streamlined; optimize our processes, eliminate redundancies, and leverage technology to enhance productivity and performance; proactively identify opportunities for efficiency gains and implement best practices.
Interpret federal and state policies and regulations to board members, administrators, and food service personnel.
Willingness to go above and beyond to provide outstanding assistance that exceeds expectations, ability to create positive experiences and build relationships based on trust and satisfaction; maintain a positive and helpful attitude using the appropriate language, tone, and behavior to reflect the agency in a way that leaves a positive and favorable impression.

Benefits

Generous Benefits Allowance: Up to $21,934.08 annually, tailored to family size, for purchasing benefits.
Comprehensive Insurance Plans: Choose from a variety of insurance plans with no pre-existing conditions, exclusions, or limitations.
Flexible Spending Accounts: Manage healthcare expenses and/or dependent care with ease.
Full Participation in TRS: Enjoy employer-covered contributions (7.5% of annual salary) for Teacher’s Retirement System participation.
Generous Leave Policy: Full-time employees receive 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave in their first year.
Paid Holidays: Benefit from 11 paid holidays per year.
Employee Discounts: Access discounts with various companies and vendors.
Longevity Bonus: Earn a bonus after completing two years of service, with bonuses continuing annually thereafter.
Compensatory Time: FLSA Exempt and Nonexempt employees receive compensatory time.
Employee Assistance Program: Access support and resources through our Employee Assistance Program.