Nutrition Senior Consultant (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

Work Environment:

This position is Full-time, Grant-funded (funding is expected to continue indefinitely unless otherwise indicated in this posting), and is Hybrid (Remote/Home Office with a requirement to report to Work location per business needs).

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)

State of Colorado Driver's License is required to complete the travel requirement

Position Summary:
Provides oversight, subject matter expertise, and project management for child nutrition programs, resource management, including allowable costs, non-program revenue, and paid lunch equity, and the wages and stipends program under the Healthy School Meals for All program. Supports office director with financial management requirements for child nutrition program sponsors. This position delivers training and technical assistance to child nutrition program sponsors statewide to support program improvement, effectiveness, innovation and compliance with federal and state regulations. Additional responsibilities include managing an assigned caseload of sponsors, assisting with on-site compliance reviews, including supporting the team with resource management reviews, and assisting with the approvals of annual participation agreements. The final salary is anticipated to fall within the posted salary range; however, it could be higher or lower depending on the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other qualifications of the preferred candidate while considering internal equity.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Oversight (40%)

-Provides oversight, subject matter expertise, and project management for wages and stipends, and resource management.

-Provides subject matter expertise and oversight for the resource management review process, including allowable costs, non-program revenue, paid lunch equity, indirect charges and maintenance of a non-profit food service account. Oversees and supports sponsors with unpaid meal charges.

-Collaborates with the review manager and data analyst to support staff in accurately and effectively conducting resource management review processes.

-Supports the office director with financial management requirements for child nutrition program sponsors.

-Oversees implementation of the wages and stipends program under HSMA, ensuring alignment with federal and state requirements.

-Develops and maintains program processes, procedures, tools, and guidance to support compliance. Provides training and technical assistance to staff and sponsors on wages, stipend requirements, end-use requirements, and the proper use of funds.

-Reviews and evaluates district submissions for wages and stipends to ensure proposed use of funds complies with program guidelines.

-Provides subject matter expertise and assists with responsibilities related to meal counting and claiming. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, assisting with the claim edit check process, answering sponsor and staff questions, and tracking.

-Provides subject matter expertise and assists with responsibilities related to Provisional Programs. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing internal and external technical assistance and training, data validation and reporting, and Portal support.

-In collaboration with unit teams, develops and project manages workplans encompassing goals, objectives, and strategies for training, compliance, communication and outreach, process improvement, and evaluation for program areas overseen.

-Provides written instruction, guidance, and training to program sponsors and internal staff related to program areas overseen.

-In collaboration with the unit and applicable stakeholders, develops and implements streamlined processes and procedures for program areas overseen.

-Collaborates with leadership to implement new or revised legislation or grants for areas overseen.

-Participates in unit teams using effective accountability, communication, customer service, interpersonal, and job knowledge skills to support the School Nutrition Unit's strategic plan and related initiatives.

Program Monitoring and Compliance Reviews (30%)

-Interprets and applies federal and state child nutrition program rules and regulations.

-Maintains knowledge of child nutrition program administrative review procedures and requirements.

-Collaborates with the review manager to coordinate the resource management review process. Responsible for internal training and technical assistance, and providing support to the team conducting resource management reviews.

-Conducts accurate and consistent administrative reviews, including pre-approval visits and vendor reviews, to ensure compliance with federal and state child nutrition program rules and regulations.

-Prepares clear and accurate review-related correspondence and reports.

-Communicates program information to sponsors with effective verbal and written communication and excellent customer service skills.

-Consults with appropriate sponsor personnel regarding identified findings and corrective actions, if needed, to be in compliance with rules and regulations.

Effectively communicates findings, both verbally and in writing, so that the findings are placed in an appropriate context and clearly understood.

-Assists with processing annual participation agreements, including determining sponsor eligibility for participation.

Technical Assistance and Training (25%)

-In collaboration with unit teams, plans, develops, and implements internal and external training related to program areas overseen.

-Effectively trains internal and external customers on various topics related to child nutrition programs, including training and technical assistance to child nutrition program sponsors regarding claims for reimbursement and resource management requirements.

-Effectively uses various training modalities and excellent presentation and communication skills to train diverse audiences with varying knowledge and skill levels.

-Collaboratively develops effective presentations for conferences, workshops, and meetings on various topics related to child nutrition programs and initiatives.

-Conducts training and presentations at district, state, and regional conferences and meetings.

-Conducts technical assistance site visits and provides any follow-up assistance as needed.

-Assists sponsors in creating strategic plans to address identified challenges and opportunities.

-Manages an assigned caseload of sponsors by answering questions, providing technical assistance and training, assisting with compliance reviews, and engaging in outreach to support program effectiveness and compliance.

Miscellaneous (5%)

-Attends and participates in meetings and work groups with various stakeholders.

-Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

Experience Only:

• Seven (7) years of experience in business administration, accounting, finance, public administration, nutrition, or a closely related field.
• This experience must include at least 3 years of relevant work experience/direct involvement in business administration, accounting, finance, public administration, nutrition, or a closely related field.

OR

Education and Experience:

• Graduated from an accredited college or university in business administration, accounting, finance, public administration, nutrition or a closely related field, OR other field of study directly related to the work assignment, AND at least three years of relevant work experience in business administration, accounting, finance, public administration, nutrition or a closely related field.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS:
Qualifications for Success in the Position:

-Knowledge of child nutrition program administration and management of child nutrition programs, including applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

-Experience with financial management, data analysis, and oversight of program operations.

-Knowledge of food service operations, including menu planning, meal benefits, meal counting and claiming, financial management, and procurement systems.

-Strong written and oral communication skills; able to present complex information to diverse audiences.

-Ability to deliver training and technical assistance using various methods, including presentations, workshops, and online modules.

-Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other data systems and technology platforms to analyze, track, and report program information.

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

-Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and coordinate projects using team strengths.

-Ability to research, interpret policies, assess programs, identify issues, and implement solutions.

-Commitment to equity and effective cross-cultural collaboration, with professionalism and exceptional customer service.

Preferred Qualifications (Preferred/Not Required):

-Experience in state and federal child nutrition programs preferred.

-Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) preferred School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) preferred.

-Experience using SmartSheets preferred.

Conditions of Employment (Required):
Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
Report to work location per business needs.
Sign the acknowledgment form that this position is funded through federal funds and is subject to availability.
Valid Driver's License Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle to complete travel requirements within Colorado.
Approximate travel within Colorado is 25% (about 43 hours per month, or 520 hours per year), and it varies throughout the year.
Occasional travel required for out-of-state conferences.

Additional Information

Complete Applications must include:

• Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS
• College Transcripts: Required if using education to meet minimum requirements

College Transcripts: If you are using education to qualify, a legible copy of your official or unofficial college transcript(s) or a foreign credential evaluation report must be submitted with your application. Transcripts must show the name of the school and that a degree was conferred. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or foreign credential evaluation report may result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.

**Failure to submit a complete application as defined above by the announcement close will result in your application being removed from consideration.**

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.

Appeal Rights:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination.

Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging.

Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb.

A standard appeal form is available at: https://spb.colorado.gov/ . If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

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.