Arizona Department of Education

Health and Nutrition Services Division

Phoenix Location

Salary: $73,000 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 07/07/2025

• This position will primarily conduct compliance reviews of the United States Department of Agriculture (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 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.
• The over-arching job responsibilities for this position are connected to Child Nutrition Program requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. The Compliance Reviews Team Lead is primarily responsible for the consistent application of review processes, technical assistance and corrective action, as well as the application of fiscal action when appropriate. This will be primarily achieved through peer reviews, development of review resources, accompanying and collaborating with staff in various review settings and working to ensure technological solutions are effectively used.
• Occasional in-state and rare out-of-state travel is/may be 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 ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

This position is available for remote work on a full-time basis within Arizona (including virtual office arrangements).
OR
This position may be available for remote work within Arizona (# days per week in the office/hoteling).
OR
This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Conduct on-site compliance reviews of the United USDA CNPs, NSLP, SBP, ASCS, At-Risk Afterschool Program, CACFP, Seamless Summer Option, Summer Food Service Program, and Special Milk Program according to USDA and ADE established policies and procedures consisting 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
• Write 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 (i.e. CFR regulations, FNS instructions, CNP manuals, etc.)
• 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
• As a leader for the team, ensure compliance with review requirements, reviews program forms, review tools, and coordinates information/resources for other staff on the team as a content expert of State and Federal guidance and regulations, including responsibility for overseeing or conducting "how-to" types of training for new and existing staff
• Develop ways to improve the review process by analyzing data and metrics from the review results
• Serve as content expert on information technology systems integral to the team; intentionally leverages technology currently in place and works with the technology under development to suggest further enhancements
• Aid in the development of processes and procedures that ensure the team efficiently and effectively meets strategic goals
• Proactively work with the director to minimize barriers staff may face in completing required job duties including the provision of excellent customer service to both internal and external customers
• Contribute content for Compliance Reviews Team and Reviewer meetings to help ensure the vision and goals of the team, HNS Division, and ADE are consistently reinforced through the compliance monitoring process for all CNPs
• Lead research and collaboration efforts for special projects and ad hoc reporting as needed
• Facilitate and lead meetings, participate/attend webinars or monthly calls specific to compliance of the CNPs, and maintain signature authority for compliance reviews 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 procurement requirements and regulations
• General business service
• A Bachelor's degree with emphasis in nutrition, dietetics, public health administration or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree is required

Skills in:
• Interpersonal skills
• Presentation
• Oral, and written communication
• Self-initiative for project development and implementation
• Program implementation and oversight
• Computer techniques (skilled in the use of MS-Office software)
• Decision making
• Professional writing
Customer service techniques

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's learning style and education level when providing technical assistance
• Understanding interpreting & implementing 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: Driver’s 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

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. 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 (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.