Arizona Department of Education

The Arizona Department of Education is a service organization committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents.

Health and Nutrition Services Division

Phoenix Location

Salary: $64000 - $70000

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 06/30/2025

This position will primarily conduct compliance reviews of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs (National School Lunch Program (NSLP) School Breakfast Program (SBP) After School Care Snack Program (ASCSP) At-Risk Afterschool Program Child and Adult Care Food Program Seamless Summer Option Summer Food Service Program and Special Milk Program) according to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and ADE established policies and procedures. This will involve on-site visits to schools centers day care homes and other sites that participate in the USDA CNPs. Knowledge of the USDA CNPs and interpersonal communication with food service staff at these entities will be needed to complete compliance reviews in an efficient and effective manner.
Frequent in-state and infrequent out-of-state travel is required for this position.

The Arizona Department of Education currently utilizes a hybrid work environment with up to two days of remote work (contingent upon business needs). Candidates should apply with an ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

Conduct on-site compliance reviews of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs (CNPs) (National School Lunch Program (NSLP) School Breakfast Program (SBP) After School Care Snack Program (ASCSP) At-Risk Afterschool Program Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Seamless Summer Option Summer Food Service Program and Special Milk Program) according to USDA and ADE established policies and procedures. Reviews consists of regulation interpretation compliance monitoring technical assistance written and verbal communication and correspondence with school food authorities and program operators
Compile information collected from on-site visits to comprehensively assess entities compliance with program regulations and policies
Compose detailed reports and determine required corrective action and if necessary fiscal action related to the monitoring conducted for the USDA CNPs
Request track and process timely and relevant corrective action for each entity to ensure compliance with the USDA regulations and state agency protocols
Provide technical assistance to school food authorities and program operators (sub-recipients) participating in the USDA CNPs as needed using appropriate resources
Interpret and explain USDA Child Nutrition Programs regulations including proper procurement and financial management for school food authorities and community organizations participating in the USDA CNPs through compliance monitoring often during an on-site visit
Participate in team agency or partner initiatives when directed

Knowledge in:
Federal and state regulations pertaining to child nutrition programs or other state/federally funded nutrition programs
Food preparation food safety and food production oversight
Current issues regarding child health and nutrition
Federal and state purchasing requirements and regulations
General business service
A Bachelors degree with emphasis in nutrition public health or business administration or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree is required

Skills in:
Interpersonal communication
Presentation
Oral and written communication
Self-initiative for project development and implementation
Program implementation and oversight
Decision making
Professional writing
Customer service techniques
Intermediate skill in using Microsoft 365 Applications and services
Intermediate skill in using Adobe Acrobat

Ability to:
Operate successfully in a strong team environment
Perform to stated deadlines and to produce expected results with little supervision
Express ideas and information clearly concisely both orally and in writing
Adapt to and be sensitive to audience learning style and education level when providing technical assistance
Understand interpret and implement rules

Preference will be given to those applicants with:
Registered Dietitian (RD)
Dietitian Technician Registered (DTR)
School Nutrition Specialists (SNS)
Serve Safe certified or Certified Food Safety Manager

Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks required documents and if applicable a post-offer medical/physical evaluation.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business then the following requirements apply:Drivers License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

Affordable medical dental life and short-term disability insurance plans
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
Ten paid holidays per year
Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona please visit our benefits page

You will be required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) upon your 27th week of employment subject to waiting period. On or shortly after your first day of employment you will be provided with enrollment instructions and effective date.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling or emailing Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.