FOOD & NUTRITION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SPECIALIST

Salary Information: B21, $5,800.00 – $6,300.00/MO.

State Classification: 1574 - Program Specialist V

FLSA Status: Exempt

Posting Number: 26-58524-1R

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. These programs aim to reduce hunger, encourage strong nutrition, and support local economies across Texas.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Food & Nutrition (F&N) Technical Assistance Specialist will perform advanced consultative services and technical assistance. You will provide policy guidance, program expertise, implementation, and process direction to Education Service Centers (ESCs), community organizations, and the general public. You will work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide clarification and procedural guidance to all Contracting Entities (CE) to ensure consistent messaging and accurate technical assistance on behalf of the agency.

Provide accurate training and procedural guidance to all CE on all food and nutrition programs.

Serve as a subject matter expert on the federal nutrition programs to include orientation and training on all food program areas and provide excellent technical assistance to customers that accurately reflects TDA guidance.

Review and identify training topics and materials that are needed to address CE audit performance and CE training requests across the state for child nutrition programs.

Keep abreast of the laws, regulations, policies, and procedures to provide guidance and direction to designated or identified workgroups on policy affecting efforts to support federal nutrition programs.

Collaborate in policy and compliance meetings, providing relevant information on operational and current processes to ensure proper understanding and coordinated direction, including the resolution of noncompliance and related issues.

Participates in program planning, development, and implementation, including determining trends and resolving technical problems.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree. (one year of work experience related to the duties and responsibilities may substitute for one year of college)

Minimum three (3) years of work experience as a Child Nutrition Director, ESC Consultant, or manager of community programs such as childcare centers, day care homes, or adult centers with operational and managerial application for the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Work experience reviewing, analyzing, and/or applying federal and state policies to federal programs.

Work experience in developing and providing one-on-one and group training to a diverse audience.

Work experience analyzing and interpreting data for program effectiveness.

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's or Master's degree in institutional management, nutrition, dietetics, family and consumer science, public health, instructional design, or related field.

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

School Nutrition Specialist Credentialing.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of food and nutrition of USDA regulations for Child Nutrition programs; of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area; National School Lunch and Breakfast programs, Summer Food Service Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program. Knowledge of public administration techniques, training, and program management processes.

Skill in providing customer service excellence to both internal and external customers; in identifying measures or indicators of program performance; in managing multiple projects; and in the use of a computer and applicable software.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to establish goals and objectives; to devise solutions to administrative problems; to develop, evaluate, and interpret administrative policies and procedures; and to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

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 50 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 *30%), 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:

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview.

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.

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance in translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets

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