ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR SCHOOL OPERATIONS

Salary Information: B26 - $8,500.00 - $9,500.00/MO.

State Classification: Director I - 1620

FLSA Status: Exempt

Posting Number: 26-58860-1

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online via CAPPS. Applicants applying in WIT must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the position. To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit.

WHO ARE WE

The Texas Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Division administers 12 federal child and special nutrition programs and more than $2.5 billion in federal money annually, used to fund the programs for the State of Texas.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Assistant Director for School Operations will perform advanced managerial work and assist with overseeing the effective management of the School Operations section within the Food & Nutrition (F&N) Division. You will manage complex issues; be involved in long-term planning to contribute to the attainment of the division’s goals, objectives, and mission; monitor and ensure compliance with state and federal policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulations; and manage complex projects. You will serve as the back-up to the Director for School Operations, as needed. You will work under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist the Director for School Operations in directing and coordinating activities of staff operations statewide to include planning, developing, overseeing, and evaluating projects, schedules, and work plans.

Provide direct supervision to section staff including, but not limited to, objective assessment of staff performance and productivity, identification of appropriate education and training needs for staff, time and leave reporting, staff workflow, partnering meetings, coaching sessions, and other associated staff meetings.

Ensure all administrative review and technical assistance processes and activities required for the Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs) administered by the School Operations section follow all federal and state rules and regulations and make recommendations to correct behaviors and processes that increase risk to the Agency.

Identify areas needing improvement in administrative review processes, procedures, staff training, and tools to gain or increase efficiency and work with other units to develop and maintain accuracy, relevance, and identify and test system enhancements.

Serve as the state-level contact for external stakeholders, to include the production and dissemination of important and timely program information for contractors, timely resolution of compliance and regulatory issues, and the management of high profile, high-risk situations with Contracting Entities.

Assist in the development of required program reports.

May represent the division and agency locally, statewide and at the federal level for all matters related to monitoring policies and procedures, including speaking engagements.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s Degree (one year of work experience related to the essential duties may substitute for one year of college).

Five (5) years experience reviewing and ensuring program compliance of highly advanced reviews with federal, state, or local governments.

Two (2) years experience serving in a supervisory role.

Valid Texas driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience as a lead, senior, or manager in the School Nutrition Programs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program activities and/or business functions; business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and leadership techniques; and the principles and practices of public administration and management.

Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business strategy; decision-making, including assessing risk and using good judgment to inform decisions and recommendations to leadership; and conflict resolution and working quickly and collaboratively to solve problems; providing excellent customer service to both internal and external customers; and in the use of a computer and applicable software.

Ability to direct and organize program activities and/or business functions; to establish goals and objectives that support the strategic plan; to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; to develop and evaluate agency policies and procedures; to prepare concise reports; to communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Requires working in a normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping, and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able to work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel (up to 20%*), occasionally overnight.

TELEWORK & WORK HOURS

The agency does not offer telework. TDA employees are required to be physically present for work.

The agency’s core business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TDA also provides limited customer service between 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m.

H-1B Visa Sponsorship

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

BENEFITS

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center, you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.

• A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day

Background Checks: A criminal conviction records check is required for applicants who are selected for a position.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423. Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at MOS Program Management Codes.