Health and Nutrition Service (HNS) Division

Phoenix Location

Salary: $64000 - $70000

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 02/16/2026

The Health and Nutrition Services (HNS) Farm to School Specialist position is part of the Program Access and Outreach team responsible for maximizing participant access to nutrition programming and redemption of meal services ensuring that meal service programs meet or exceed federal requirements and advancing opportunities to influence positive dietary behaviors among program participants.
The position will provide technical assistance to support coordination between local farms and schools that intend to integrate local procurement activities into their cafeterias.
The role will also involve building relationships and collaborating with farmers educators school nutrition staff and community partners to expand program reach aiming to provide a customer experience that established the team HNS and ADE as a trusted partner providing quality service.
The position is responsible for contributing to the development of plans and associated activities that maximize the ability for children students and adults in care to participate to the maximum extent in USDA Child Nutrition Programs.
Occasional in-state and 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.

Provide advanced and specialized technical assistance focused on Farm to School to meet the needs of various entities that participate in the USDA Child Nutrition Programs
Utilize outreach and strategic plans designed to maximize access to child nutrition programs; conduct activities associated with outreach plans and objectives which include working with other stakeholders and partners
Conduct activities and initiatives related to Farm to School and Farm to Early Childhood Education to positively influence the nutrition environment of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs
Make connections and develop partnerships that support the AZ Farm to School Network and Farm to School related workgroups
Collaborate on work with AZ Department of Agriculture as well as other state agency partners focused on Farm to School initiatives
Work with external partners on procurement methods of local foods and support initiatives or funding related to F2S efforts
Seek to expand knowledge and maintain awareness of legislative and organizational policy and other wellness programming that impacts child nutrition program administration and may increase participation in school meal services

Knowledge in:
Federal regulations state laws and policies pertaining to all Child Nutrition Programs
National and local legislative and health and nutrition program issues
Knowledge of current practices related to nutrition education
Federal and State grant opportunities
Applicants must have work experience in schools child nutrition health programs or other federal programs.
A bachelors degree in nutrition/dietetics or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree is required.

Skills in:
Meeting and group discussion facilitation
Verbal and written communication skills
Time Management
Intermediate skills in using Microsoft Outlook Word Excel Teams and SharePoint.

Ability to:
Research review and draw interpretations from public laws and rules
Establish and maintain interpersonal relationships
Think critically and make objective determinations
Conceptualize complex systems and interactions
Management of multiple projects and tasks
Work well in a team and across disciplines of health education and nutrition

Preference will be given to those applicants with Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) or Dietitian Technician Registered (NDTR) and masters in public health (MPH).

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 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.