Department Information

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.

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
• 160 hours of Paid Medical Family Leave (PMFL)
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals
• Retirement through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) www.copera.org
• Employer-paid RTD Eco Pass (certain restrictions may apply)
• Paid professional development opportunities

Description of Job

Work Environment:

• Office hours are typically Mon-Fri, 8:00 am-5:00 pm
• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.
• LIGHT/Office environment:
  • Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.
  • Required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force frequently or 20 lbs occasionally
  • Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
  • Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
• Occasional travel within Denver Metro/Downtown for Meetings/Training.
• Frequent travel within Colorado.
• A Remote (Home) office is required.
• Required to report to the work location occasionally.
• Ability and willingness to travel, as determined by job responsibilities and requirements, primarily within Colorado.
• Approximate travel is 25% and varies throughout the year.
• The ability to pass a background check.

Position Summary:
Provides training, technical assistance, monitoring and subject matter expertise to child nutrition program sponsors to support program improvement, effectiveness, innovation and ensure compliance with federal and state rules and regulations.

***Currently this position is eligible for a hybrid (office/remote within Colorado) flexible work environment and is required to report to the office location as needed.***

Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Program Support (35%)

• Provides subject matter expertise and support to child nutrition program sponsors operating federal and state child nutrition programs and related initiatives;
• Provides written instruction, guidance, and training to program sponsors related to child nutrition program areas and related initiatives;
• Assists with the implementation and development of rules for new or revised legislation or grants;
• Participates in and collaborates with unit teams using effective accountability, communication, customer service, interpersonal, and job knowledge skills to support the School Nutrition Unit's strategic plan and related initiatives.

Program Monitoring and Compliance Reviews (40%)

• Knows, analyzes, and interprets federal and state child nutrition program rules and regulations;
• Knows child nutrition program administrative review procedures and requirements;
• Conducts accurate and consistent administrative reviews, including vendor reviews, to ensure compliance with federal and state child nutrition program rules and regulations;
• Prepares accurate review-related correspondence and reports using effective written communication;
• Communicates program-related information to sponsors using effective verbal and written communication and excellent customer service skills;
• Consults with appropriate sponsor personnel regarding identified findings and corrective actions, if needed, to be in compliance with rules and regulations;
• Effectively communicates findings, both verbally and in writing, so that the findings are placed in appropriate context and clearly understood;
• Assists with processing annual participation agreements including determining sponsor eligibility for participation.

Technical Assistance and Training (20%)

• Effectively trains internal and external customers on various topics related to child nutrition programs and initiatives;
• Effectively uses various training modalities and excellent presentation and communication skills to train diverse audiences with varying knowledge and skill levels;
• Collaboratively develops effective presentations for conferences, workshops, and meetings on various topics related to child nutrition programs;
• Conducts training and presentations at district, state, and regional conferences and meetings;
• Conducts technical assistance site and provides follow-up assistance as needed.

Miscellaneous (5%)

• Attends and participates in meetings and work groups with various stakeholders;
• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health, or a related field of study related to the work assignment.

AND

• At least Two (2) years of relevant work experience.

Substitution: Experience in Lieu of Education:

• Six (6) years of professional work experience in Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health, or another field of study related to the work assignment will substitute for the Bachelor's Degree and the Two (2) years of the required experience.

Substitution: Additional Education and Experience:

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health, or a related field of study related to the work assignment will substitute for the Bachelor's degree and One (1) year of the required experience.

AND Specific Experience in:

• At least One (1) year of professional work experience in Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health, or another field of study related to the work assignment.

Preferred Qualifications:
(These are preferred, not required)

• School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) preferred
  

Minimum Competency Requirements:

• Knowledge of the administration and management of child nutrition programs and the federal and state laws governing them.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of child nutrition food service operations including menu planning, meal benefits, meal claiming, food safety, procurement systems, and financial management.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to effectively present complex information to diverse audiences orally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively and competently manage multiple assignments simultaneously and meet critical deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Google Drive, and web-based systems.
• Ability to research information, organize information and deliver technical assistance and training to customers.
• Ability to interpret policies and procedures, assess programs, identify problems, apply problem-solving techniques and determine improvements and solutions.
• Ability to work and collaborate effectively with a variety of individuals; demonstrating professionalism while providing exceptional customer service.
• Ability to use sound judgment; communicate effectively, and establish and maintain effective working relationships in a team environment.
• Understands and is committed to goals of equity; embraces behaviors and attitudes that enable effective work cross-culturally.
• Ability to conduct effective presentations and training at workshops, conferences, and other meetings.
• Ability and willingness to travel, as determined by job responsibilities and requirements, primarily within Colorado.
• Approximate travel is 40% and varies throughout the year.
• The ability to pass a background check.

Supplemental Information

Complete Applications must include:

• 
  Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS.
• Cover Letter: Required - Attached to the online application.
• Resume: Required - Attached to the online application.
• Transcript (If applicable): Required if using education to meet Minimum Qualifications - Attached to the online application and meeting requirements as described under "College Transcripts".
• Licensure Verification (if applicable): Required - Attached to the online application.

College Transcripts: If you are using education to qualify, a legible copy of your official or unofficial college transcript(s) or a foreign credential evaluation report must be submitted with your application. Transcripts must show the name of the school and that a degree was conferred. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or foreign credential evaluation report may result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.

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

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.