Farm to School Specialist (Program Specialist II)

The work we do matters!
Hiring Agency:
Education - Agency 13
Location:
Lincoln Job Posting
Hiring Rate:
$29.34
Classification Salary Range:
$26.57 - $38.71
Job Posting:
JR2024-00003750 Farm to School Specialist (Program Specialist II) (Open)
Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):
03-10-2024
Job Description:
Are you a big-picture thinker and a problem solver? Are you looking for a new position to make a statewide impact? Join the Nebraska Department of Education as our Farm to School Specialist! This program brings locally grown or produced fresh foods to Schools, afterschool programs, childcare centers, and a wide variety of other stakeholders. The Farm to School Specialist will coordinate Farm to School program activities, and collaborate with Farm to School organizations to identify challenges and strategize to find solutions.
This position will work closely with our Farm to School Network Specialist - but the whole team is very collaborative and takes a team approach to their work. This means great support and training for you! If you have experience in a variety of food or nutrition organizations and want to contribute to this program, apply today!
This position is fixed term, with an end date of September 30, 2026.
Office Location & Schedule: This position is assigned to our office located at 84th & O St, Lincoln, NE, with potential for some telework after an onboarding and training period, contingent upon proper agency approvals.
Pay Rate:
$29.339/hour
This rate is based upon available budget funds; any offer will be made at this rate.
Teammates Enjoy
In addition to being part of meaningful work and making a difference through public service, our Total Compensation package includes an approximate $26,568 in additional Benefits value! See full benefits information at https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

• Competitive benefits, paid time off, and retirement
  • 79% employer-paid health insurance, dental, vision, long and short-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts, employee discount program, and more!
  • Generous vacation and sick leave earnings each year (starting at 12 days each!), plus a variety of other leave types
  • 156% state-matched retirement (yes, that's $1.56 for every dollar!) with a guaranteed 5% return
• Thirteen paid holidays per year

Essential Functions

• Responds to inquiries and provides consultative services and technical assistance to food system stakeholders (e.g., other state agencies, food producers, school staff, Child Nutrition Program sponsors).
• Engages and guides districts, afterschool programs, and childcare centers through establishing and expanding participation in Farm to School activities.
• Establishes and fosters strategic partnerships between stakeholders to support the statewide Farm to School network and ensure coordination and transparency of efforts.
• Creates and updates related training materials, manuals, content, and other resources, and assists with development and delivery of training opportunities and workshops. Disseminates resources to a variety of stakeholders, such as school and childcare staff, partner organizations, and community members.
• Assists with network and program evaluations to identify barriers or challenges, prepares reports with strategies for improvement, and provides recommendations to connect stakeholders with resources and other food system partners.
• Researches and applies for new funding opportunities to build capacity of Farm to School programs and activity.
• Conducts regular program evaluations and utilizes program metrics to ensure equity of Farm to School efforts in Nebraska.
• Demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.

Working Conditions and Travel:
This position requires approximately 70% of work time spent in an office environment (e.g., state offices, home offices); the remainder is spent traveling or working in alternative sites such as schools, educational service units, and other service agencies. There is also approximately two days of overnight travel per month.
REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor's degree in a related field and three years of experience related to the essential functions of the position. Any equivalent education and/or work experience may be substituted in order to meet the minimum qualifications of the position.
Preferred:
Master's degree in a related field and at least three years of related experience, registered dietitian, and experience working with adult learners. Proficiency with Google Suite and Microsoft 365 applications (e.g., Google Drive, Forms, Slides, Docs, Microsoft Teams).
This position is federally funded and may be governed by the Federal Hatch Act. Click here to review the Act.
Benefits
We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.
Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! For more information on benefits currently offered to permanent teammates, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits
Equal Opportunity Statement
The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.
Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.