Job Description

Department Information

This position is only open to current Residents of Colorado.

Incumbent will be required to complete work for CDE within Colorado.

This announcement is posted until filled or preferred candidate(s) are identified; it is in your best interest to apply early.

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)
• Employer paid RTD Eco Pass (certain restrictions may apply)
• Paid professional development opportunities

Description of Job

Summary

Join our team as a nutrition senior consultant where you will oversee implementation of the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program, Afterschool Snack Program and the Special Milk Program in addition to supporting meal patterns and special dietary needs. The ideal candidate will have an understanding of child nutrition programs, strong project management skills and is passionate about enhancing the effectiveness of child nutrition programs across the state.

Why join us?

• Impactful Work: Make a difference in the health and well-being of children by supporting 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 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.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program, Afterschool Snack Program and the Special Milk Program. Responsibilities include providing internal and external guidance, coordinating work amongst a small team and implementing program workplans.

• Provide technical assistance to sponsors about their options to implement the child nutrition programs overseen.

• Collaborate with the review manager to ensure the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program, Afterschool Snack Program and the Special Milk Program are assessed accurately during administrative reviews.

• Provide subject matter expertise and support for child nutrition program meal patterns and special dietary needs. Collaborate with the lead senior consultant to implement program area workplans.

• Assist with processing annual participation agreements for sponsors across the state.

• Conduct accurate administrative reviews of child nutrition programs across the state, including pre-approval visits and vendor reviews to ensure compliance with federal and state rules and regulations.

• In collaboration with unit teams, plan, develop and implement internal and external trainings related to program areas overseen.

• Effectively train internal and external customers on various topics related to child nutrition programs.

Travel is required approximately 25% and varies throughout the year. Most travel is within

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Qualifications:

Appropriate combination of education and experience OR Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in nutrition, dietetics, public health, education or related field AND

• At least three years of relevant work experience

• Experience working with state and federal child nutrition programs preferred

• School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) preferred

• Registered Dietitian (RD or RDN) preferred

Child Nutrition Program Knowledge:

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

• Experience with child nutrition food service operations, including menu planning, meal benefits, meal claiming, procurement, and financial management.

Communication & Training Skills:

• Excellent written and oral communication abilities.

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

• Ability to interpret policies, assess programs, identify problems, and determine improvements.

Technical Proficiency:

• Proficient in Microsoft Teams, Google drive and web based systems.

• Ability to analyze data and provide actionable insights.

Project Management:

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

• Effective project planning and implementation utilizing team strengths.

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills:

• Strong leadership and team management 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.

Supplemental Information

Complete Applications must include :

• Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS .
• Resume: Required - Copy and Paste into the Supplemental Questions (11,000 character limit, aprx. 3 pages)

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



** Resumes and Cover Letters WILL NOT be reviewed for minimum qualification screening.



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


A standard appeal form is available at: . 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.

Job Tags

Holiday work, Full time, Temporary work, Work experience placement, Work from home, Home office, Flexible hours,

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