Education Program Consultant (USDA School Nutrition Programs-Communications)

Job Description

Iowa Department of Education’s mission is ensuring all students experience a world-class education. To accomplish our mission, we need talented, passionate people working together to build an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential.

The Iowa Department of Education seeks a dedicated Education Program Consultant responsible for coordinating communications, providing technical assistance and conducting procurement and administrative reviews for USDA Child Nutrition Programs. This position will be an integral member of the Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services Data, Reporting and Program Support Team.

Your Responsibilities

• Serve as the Bureau staff person specializing in Communications for the USDA School Meal Programs and the Summer Food Service Program. Coordinate group email messaging, social media, press releases and informational articles with bureau team leads, section chief, bureau chief and Bureau of Communications & Information Services team. Develop resources and write and review articles for School Nutrition Programs. Manage School Nutrition Email Distribution Lists. Assist with bureau webpage updates and overall review of bureau webpages. Develop, write and update manuals, handbooks, newsletters and memos.
• Coordinate opportunities to promote school meals and school wellness. Coordinate content and presentations for bureau team members. Manage promotion and registration of training events in coordination with school meals training coordinator.
• Complete grant applications. Assist grant coordinator with grant submissions, as needed. Track work plans and budgets for assigned grant projects. Complete grant budget and program reporting. Manage contracts.
• Review and approve annual web-based program applications. Conduct procurement and administrative reviews of the USDA School Meal Programs, Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option, as assigned, for compliance with all Federal and State regulations and provide guidance governing participation in these programs. Assist with administration and implementation of other USDA programs, as requested,
• Provide schools with technical assistance, resources, training, and best practices to create and maintain a healthier environment including the implementation of wellness policies and school breakfast expansion, promotion of school meals and development and distribution of resources to address food insecurity.
  
  

Candidates are encouraged to include detailed information about their relevant experience in their application, or submit a cover letter and resume in addition to their application.

If you wish to review a copy of the Position Description Questionnaire, please contact idoe.hr@iowa.gov .

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday; some nights and weekends, occasional in-state and out-of-state travel

A successful candidate will bring or have the ability and desire to learn:

• Passion for accomplishing common goals in pursuit of public service
• Strong technical skills
• Strategic and analytical mindset
• Knowledge and experience with coordinating the development of legislation, administrative rules, and legislative proposals
• Ability to work collaboratively on, and provide leadership for, high-performing teams
• Ability to work independently, moving projects forward with minimal supervision
• Ability to work in complex situations and meet deadlines while leading teams as a non-traditional leader (no supervisory authority)
• Experience providing technical assistance and professional learning to educators
• Ability to manage self in relation to prioritization and time management
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to interpret and break down highly technical and regulatory language, and present information in an understandable manner
• Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills
• Desire to work with diverse teams and stakeholders
  
  

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience developing and editing written communications;
• Experience developing and presenting materials for adult learners.
• Ability to keep multiple projects moving forward at the same time and meet deadlines;
• Ability to work in an environment where the individual may be receiving guidance and direction from multiple individuals;
• Experience being detail-oriented with ability to apply established procedures and requirements into practice with speed and accuracy;
• Willing to travel and willingness to remain out of home location overnight on occasion as the job requires (primarily in-state travel);
• Proficiency with office software applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, and ability to learn other custom software applications including web-based systems, and nutrient analysis;
• Experience in government regulation implementation;
• Ability to convey required corrective action while maintaining a positive working relationship
• Experience working with USDA Child Nutrition Programs preferred.
• Registered dietitian preferred
  
  

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the lives of children, their families, and Iowa communities
• Collaborative, positive work environment
• Talented and passionate work colleagues that will help you learn and grow
• Opportunities to collaborate with experts from around the country
• Employee discounts from a variety of vendors
• Competitive salary and benefits package:
  
  

https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/employment/Benefits_Beyond_the_Paycheck.pdf

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov .

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and five years of full-time post-graduate work experience in any one or a combination of the following areas:
• Professional training, teaching, or counseling experience in an educational setting;
• Professional administrative experience in an educational setting;
• Professional finance, accounting, or auditing experience, including the preparation or analysis of financial statements;
• Professional experience in a major technical program area housed within the Iowa Department of Education;
• Professional data integration, data analysis, and statistical analysis experience;
• Professional communications experience, including public relations, marketing, or journalism;
• Professional school safety and emergency preparedness experience.
• A combination of a total of five years of post-graduate education and full-time experience (as described in number one), where twenty-four semester hours of accredited post-graduate college or university course work equals one year of full-time experience.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree, possession of a valid Iowa Teaching Certificate, and three academic years of teaching and/or administrative experience in PK-12 and/or a post-secondary educational institution.
• Possession of a School Business Official Authorization from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and seven years of full-time professional experience in finance, accounting, or auditing, including the preparation or analysis of financial statements.
  
  

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.