Nutrition Communications and Outreach Coordinator (Non-Classified)

Full Job Description

Colorado Department of Education – What We Do
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) provides leadership, resources, support, and accountability to the state's 178 school districts, 1,888 schools, over 53,000 teachers, and over 3,200 administrators to help them build capacity to meet the needs of the state's approximately 905,000 public school students. In addition, CDE provides structural and administrative support to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Charter School Institute.

As the administrative arm of the State Board of Education, CDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, licensing all educators, and providing public transparency of performance and financial data.

CDE is a values-based agency that serves students, parents, and the general public by protecting public trust through ensuring adherence to laws, strong stewardship of public funds, and accountability for student performance.

CDE strives to incorporate five core values that we uphold in our work internally and externally. If you come to CDE, be prepared to incorporate Integrity, Equity, Accountability, Trust, and commitment to Service in what you do.

Why Work For CDE
The work we do is rewarding and impacts the students, families, educators, and communities across Colorado. Our leadership also promotes a culture that puts families and self-care as a priority. Along with meaningful work and an environment that puts employees first, the state also offers rich benefits that intend to make us an Employer of Choice!
The following is a summary of the benefits we offer:

• Flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours, working from home, working in the office, and/or a hybrid working environment.
• Premier medical, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance options. All with a generous employer contribution keeping employee costs as low as possible.
• Employer paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Up to 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals
• Retirement through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) www.copera.org
• Employer paid RTD Eco Pass (certain restrictions may apply)
• Paid professional development opportunities

A wide salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While most salary offers are made within the posted range, occasionally an offer is made below or above the posted range based upon this salary analysis.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

Requirements

Summary

Join our team as a Nutrition Senior Consultant!

In this role, you will lead and coordinate communication, marketing, and outreach strategies for all Child Nutrition Programs within the School Nutrition Unit.

You will ensure consistent messaging, develop high-quality resources, and engage effectively with sponsors and stakeholders, while providing direct support with sponsors for their outreach efforts.

Additional responsibilities include conducting statewide training, managing a group of sponsors, supporting on-site reviews, and helping drive program effectiveness and innovation.

The ideal candidate has knowledge of child nutrition programs, strong communication and project management skills, experience with effective outreach strategies, and a passion for supporting sponsors who feed kids and strengthen school nutrition programs statewide.

Why join us?

• Impactful Work: Make a difference in children's health and well-being by supporting the implementation of nutrition programs in Colorado.

• Collaborative and Flexible Work Environment: Work with a dedicated team of professionals and engage with sponsors and stakeholders across the state. We offer flexible work schedules to support a healthy work-life balance.

• Professional Development: Take advantage of opportunities for growth and development in a dynamic and supportive environment.

If you are passionate about child nutrition and have experience working with state or federal child nutrition programs, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding role.

Work Environment:

• Office hours are typically Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm.
• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.
• Up to 25% Travel required within the state of Colorado for Meetings/Training.
• Occasional travel out of state, including some overnights.
• A Remote (Home) office is required.
• Required to report to the work location per business needs.

Essential Functions (ADAAA)Light/Office environment- Exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Physical demands exceed those of Sedentary work. Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree (while traveling or providing technical assistance).

• Colorado DL Required to complete travel requirement.

Position Summary:
The final salary is anticipated to fall within the posted salary range; however, it may be higher or lower, depending on the preferred candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and other qualifications, while considering internal equity.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategic communication, marketing, and outreach plans for all Child Nutrition Programs, ensuring consistent messaging, high-quality resources, and effective engagement with sponsors and stakeholders.

• Assist sponsors with marketing and communication efforts to promote their programs.

• Deliver statewide training, workshops, and one-on-one technical assistance to sponsors and internal staff, supporting program compliance and continuous improvement.

• Assist with compliance reviews of Child Nutrition Programs statewide to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.

• Support processing of annual participation agreements for sponsors across the state.

• In collaboration with unit teams, develop and deliver training for staff and sponsors on assigned program areas; effectively train sponsors and staff on child nutrition program requirements.

• Manage an assigned group of sponsors by responding to questions, providing technical assistance and training, and engaging in proactive outreach.

• Provide expertise and support for the Advisory Council for School Nutrition committee and support the development and implementation of strategic training plans.

Qualifications

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

Experience Only:

• Seven (7) years of professional experience in child nutrition programs, education, public health, or a related regulatory or technical assistance environment preferred.

OR

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in communications, marketing, public relations, education, public health, nutrition, or a related field;

• AND at least Three (3) years of experience working in child nutrition programs, education, public health, or a related regulatory or technical assistance environment preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS:
Qualifications for Success in the Position:
Ability and willingness to travel.

Child Nutrition Program Knowledge:

• Understanding of federal and state laws governing child nutrition programs preferred.

Communication & Training Skills:

• Excellent written and oral communication abilities.

• Proficiency in presenting complex information to diverse audiences through various methods (presentations, workshops, online modules).

• Experience in developing communications, training materials, or outreach content for diverse audiences.

Technical Proficiency:

• Experience using digital communication platforms, learning management systems, or content creation tools (e.g., Canva, Moodle).

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Teams, Google Drive, and web-based systems.

• Experience using SmartSheets preferred.

Project Management:

• Capability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously and meet critical deadlines.

• Effective project planning and implementation utilizing team strengths.

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills:

• Ability to collaborate effectively with various individuals, demonstrating professionalism and exceptional customer service.

• Commitment to equity and cross-cultural effectiveness.

• Ability to use sound judgment, communicate effectively, and maintain working relationships in a team environment.

Conditions of Employment (Required):

• Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
• Work extended schedule per business needs
• Report to work location per business needs
  
• Valid Colorado Driver's License Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle and may be required to operate a State of Colorado Fleet Motor vehicle to complete travel requirements.
• Up to 25% Travel required within the state of Colorado for Meetings/Training.
• Occasional travel out of state, including some overnights.

Additional Information

Complete Applications must include:

• Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS.
• Educational Transcript (if you are using Education to meet the Minimum Qualifications)

**Please ensure that the work section of the application demonstrates that you meet the minimum qualifications.**

FOR CURRENT OR FORMER EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE OF COLORADO:
Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024, any State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification’s pay range based on completed years in their current class series as of June 30. All current and former State employees must ensure that your entire work history within the State Classified System, including at Institutions of Higher Education, is indicated in your application so that your time-in-series can be calculated accurately.

Email Address:
All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email. Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked often as time-sensitive correspondence such as exam information or notification will take place via email. Please set up your e-mail to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam-filtered email.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Equal Employment Opportunity
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, a medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado Department of Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to hr@cde.state.co.us.