Education Program Consultant (USDA School Nutrition Programs-Communications)

Full Job Description

At the Iowa Department of Education, our mission is simple but powerful: ensuring all students experience a world-class education. Behind that mission is something even more fundamental- students need access to nutritious meals and healthy environments to learn, grow, and thrive.

In this role, you’ll help shape how schools across Iowa deliver critical nutrition programs that support student success every single day. Your work will directly impact food access, wellness initiatives, and the systems that ensure schools can serve their communities effectively.

If you’re someone who enjoys combining communication, strategy, and meaningful public service, this is your opportunity to make a statewide impact.

What You’ll Do:

This role blends communication, program coordination, and support for schools across Iowa. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Communicate School Nutrition Program Information

• Create and manage communications that keep schools informed and supported (emails, newsletters, and web content)
• Develop clear, user-friendly resources, guides, and training materials
• Partner with internal teams to ensure messaging is consistent, timely, and helpful

Support & Promote School Nutrition Efforts

• Help plan and promote trainings, events, and initiatives that expand access to school meals
• Coordinate outreach efforts that encourage student participation and wellness initiatives
• Assist with presentations and materials used by the bureau team

Manage Grants & Program Operations

• Support grant applications, reporting, and tracking of budgets and work plans
• Help manage contracts and ensure projects stay on track
• Review and approve program applications submitted by schools

Guide Schools Through Complex Requirements

• Conduct reviews of school nutrition programs to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations
• Translate complex policies into clear, actionable guidance for schools
• Provide technical assistance, training, and best practices to help schools succeed

Help Improve Student Wellness Across Iowa

• Support schools in strengthening wellness policies and expanding access to breakfast and nutrition programs
• Contribute to initiatives that address food insecurity and promote healthier school environments

What We’re Looking For:

Strong candidates will bring a mix of the following:

• Ability to communicate complex information clearly (written and verbal)
• Experience creating training materials, communications, or resources
• Strong organization and project management skills—you can juggle multiple priorities
• Comfort working both independently and collaboratively
• A detail-oriented mindset with the ability to follow and apply regulations
• Passion for public service and improving outcomes for students

Helpful (but not required):

• Experience with USDA Child Nutrition Programs
• Background in education, public health, nutrition, or government programs
• Registered Dietitian credential
• Experience supporting adult learning or training delivery

Work Environment & Schedule

• Standard hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Occasional evenings, weekends, and travel (primarily in-state)

Why Join the State of Iowa?

Working for the State of Iowa means your work reaches beyond a single office—you’re helping strengthen communities across the state.

As a State employee, you’ll enjoy:

• Work That Matters - Direct impact on students, schools, and communities
• Purpose & Stability - A meaningful public service career
• Professional Growth - Opportunities to learn, develop, and collaborate statewide
• Comprehensive Benefits Package, including:
  • Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays)
  • Low-cost, high-quality health insurance options
  • Dental insurance (single coverage at no cost)
  • IPERS retirement + optional deferred compensation
  • Life and long-term disability coverage

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States.

The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and five years of full-time post-graduate work experience in any one or a combination of the following areas:

a. Professional training, teaching, or counseling experience in an educational setting;b. Professional administrative experience in an educational setting;c.

Professional finance, accounting, or auditing experience, including the preparation or analysis of financial statements;d.

Professional experience in a major technical program area housed within the Iowa Department of Education;e. Professional data integration, data analysis, and statistical analysis experience;f.

Professional communications experience, including public relations, marketing, or journalism;g. Professional school safety and emergency preparedness experience.

2) A combination of a total of five years of post-graduate education and full-time experience (as described in number one), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited post-graduate college or university course work equals one year of full-time experience.

3) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree, possession of a valid Iowa Teaching Certificate, and three academic years of teaching and/or administrative experience in PK-12 and/or a post-secondary educational institution.

4) Possession of a School Business Official Authorization from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and seven years of full-time professional experience in finance, accounting, or auditing, including the preparation or analysis of financial statements.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.