School Nutrition Field Specialist
100% Remote, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we make it our goal to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace with a workforce that is representative of Indiana's population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.
About the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE):
The Indiana Department of Education provides innovative support to Indiana schools, teachers, students, and parents. We proactively work with educators, policymakers, business leaders, and community-based organizations to build student success. Our strategic priorities include:
- Delivering quality, purposeful educational opportunities for each student
- Elevating and supporting Indiana’s educators
- Increasing partnerships and delivering aligned, effective, and efficient support
About IDOE Division of School and Community Nutrition:
The Division of School and Community Nutrition Program administers the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Child Nutrition Programs. We work closely with food service professionals in a variety of settings, including public and private schools, day care organizations, and other nonprofit organizations that serve nutritious meals to eligible recipients. The Division also provides a variety of technical assistance and training opportunities for food service, education, and health care professionals with the aim of helping the state’s children choose healthy lifestyles for successful living. Collaborative relationships are maintained with many governmental agencies and other organizations with similar goals.
Salary:
This position traditionally starts at an annual salary of $59,800. Salary for this position may be commensurate with education and job experience.
Role Overview:
The School and Summer Nutrition Program Field Specialist is responsible for managing the oversight, monitoring, and corrective actions of sponsoring organizations in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Summer Food Service Programs (SFSP). These programs provide hundreds of millions of dollars in nutrition support for children throughout the State of Indiana.
Field specialists evaluate overall sponsor administration to determine ongoing program compliance with federal regulations and state policies. They must recognize areas of non-compliance and reveal program deficiencies to sponsoring officials during on-site evaluations. They issue corrective action determinations and provide program assistance to correct problems within program administration. The position is also responsible for providing program ongoing and detailed technical assistance, nutrition education, and program-specific training to sponsors regularly. They demonstrate Indiana’s federal compliance accountability to USDA regional staff through accompanying reviews.
The field specialists work with division office staff and management to develop and implement policies and best practices for these programs.
This position is 100% remote. It serves north central Indiana. Travel is reimbursed. Territory borders fluctuate depending on the number of sponsors within a geographic area and the number of field specialists. Workloads are balanced across regions.
A Day in the Life:
Conduct School Nutrition Program and Summer Food Service site visits and reviews. (75%)
- Monitor education program/initiative objectives, outcomes, and actions to achieve agency goals.
- Implement strategic action plans to address program gaps and opportunities.
- Prepare and disseminate reports on program effectiveness.
- Ensure program requirements adhere to federal and state policies and grant compliance.
- Serve as a liaison between the agency and other state and federal agencies.
Train program staff in policies and procedures in compliance with USDA and state regulations. Provide program guidance and assistance as needed. (25%)
- Interpret and explain policies, rules, regulations, or laws to constituents within educational institutions.
- Assist in the training and development of education system employees or agency consultants on program requirements and usage.
The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
What You'll Need for Success:
- Bachelor’s degree required. Degree required in a related field including food service management, business administration, public administration, nutrition, and/or dietetics or 4 years of professional work experience in food service management.
- Ability to deal with confrontational situations, administer punitive findings, and resolve conflicts.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality in working with sensitive documents and awkward situations
- Extensive knowledge of school food service operations and food safety.
- Extensive knowledge of federal (USDA) and state rules and regulations.
- Decision-making and leadership skills.
- Independent time management skills.
- Advanced knowledge of nutrition education issues.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Self-directed work with little supervision.
- Working knowledge of computer software (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, database operations, communication functions, and online services).
- Strong interpersonal and training skills.
- Basic math and accounting skills.
- Good human relations skills with an ability to work with diverse constituencies, with a variety of educational levels.
- Must have a valid Indiana driver’s license and own and operate a motor vehicle for regular travel.
- Statewide travel with some overnight stays is required.
- Occasional out-of-state travel is required.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
- Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid new parent leave
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected].
The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.
Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis
