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 SPECIALIST

Job Location:

Health and Nutrition Services Division

Phoenix Location

Posting Details:

Salary: $64,000 - $70,000

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 11/16/2026

Job Summary:

• 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.

Job Duties:

• 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 consist 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, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

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 Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in nutrition, public health, 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 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

Selective Preference(s):

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

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• 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: Driver’s License Requirements.

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

Benefits:

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 program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

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.

Contact Us:

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 (602) 542-3186 or emailing Human.Resources@azed.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.