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FNW Program Specialist IV - DACS

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness

This position provides shared responsibility for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements for school meals and supporting healthy school environments within the framework of the child nutrition programs.

Minimum Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of professional experience in consumer complaint program work, business administration, customer or public relations, investigations; or administrative work and/or professional regulation, or a field related to the area of responsibility. A master's degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for one (1) year of the required experience. Professional or technical experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.
• Requires possession of a valid Driver's License.
• Graduates utilizing education attained in the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position will not be appointed until verification of the applicable degree has been obtained. Foreign trained graduates utilizing a degree attained outside of the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position must be prepared to provide a copy of a credential evaluation conducted by an Approved Credential Evaluation Agency.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) as defined by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and/or a licensed dietitian/nutritionists (LDN) as defined by the Florida Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Council as a condition of employment.
• Moderate travel required.
• Must be willing to obtain additional training appropriate to job functions.

Job Duties:

• Analyze and evaluate National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Afterschool Snack Program (ASSP), and Summer Programs (SFSP and SSO) menu plans submitted by prospective (new) and existing school food authorities (program sponsors) to ensure they meet minimum requirements.
• Evaluate nutrition and menu related information to ensure planned menus for the appropriate age/grade group (infant, pre-K, K-5, 6-8, 9-12) are met for both self-preparation and vended program meals.
• Using nutrient analysis software or other dietary assessment tools, conduct nutrient analyses or nutrient assessments to verify calories, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat meet established nutrition standards.
• Provide technical assistance to program sponsors related to menu development, standardized recipe and yield information, nutritional analysis and menu certification, and best practices related to customer service, marketing program meals and smarter lunchroom techniques.
• Assist all division program areas with developing, implementing, and presenting nutrition-related training and training resources, as assigned.
• Develop and maintain nutrition-related resources and materials for use by agency staff and sponsors, which includes, but is not limited to, the development of menu template forms, sample menu plans, review documents, checklists and reports.
• Serve as content expert for agency staff and program sponsors related to menu planning, meal pattern compliance, menu certification and nutrient analysis.
• Review and respond to nutrition-related requests (i.e., whole grain-rich waivers), special diet and meal modification inquiries, food production record reviews, Smart Snack and competitive foods questions, and other applicable program inquiries.
• Research federal and state regulatory guidance and respond to requests, as assigned, to include program sponsors, parents or community members and any assigned Capitol correspondence inquiries.
• Review wellness policies submitted by program sponsors as assigned to ensure compliance with the federal school wellness policy rules.
• Assist program sponsors in the development of local school wellness policies by assisting with research and providing evidence-based recommendations and strategies when developing local school wellness policies and goals.
• Serve as a resource and content expert on wellness policies and healthy school teams for agency staff and program sponsors.
• Assist in the selection, training and evaluation of the dietetic interns during the program year.
• Serve as a content expert and assist the Dietetic Internship Program with the review, implementation and/or conducting of nutrition related projects as needed.
• Work with division chef or other staff to analyze nutritional content of recipes.
• Assist with the emergency management functions of the bureau and division during periods of disaster as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of methods, techniques, and equipment used in quantity food production, including purchasing, menu planning, merchandising, sanitation, food storage, staffing, and equipment.
• Knowledge of basic nutritional needs of children.
• Knowledge of basic food cost accounting.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to Child Nutrition Programs.
• Ability to learn, interpret and correctly apply applicable state and federal rules and regulations.
• Skill in communicating effectively and advising program participants on the application of nutrition principles.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to analyze program-related issues accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Skill in integrating nutrition education with school food service programs.
• Ability to advise sponsors on the application of nutrition principles to the food service programs.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including: Annual and Sick Leave benefits; Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year; State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options; Retirement plan options, including employer contributions; Flexible Spending Accounts; Tuition waivers; And more! For a complete list of benefits, visit

Special Notes:

• The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
• Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
• The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
• VETERANS' PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.

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