School and Summer Nutrition Programs Field Specialist
Date Posted: Mar 17, 2026
Requisition ID: 474607
Location:
Jasper, IN, US, 47546
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Indiana Department of Education (DOE):
The Indiana Department of Education provides innovative support to Indiana schools, teachers, students, and parents. We proactively work with educators, policymakers, business leaders, and community-based organizations to build student success. Our strategic priorities include:
Delivering quality, purposeful educational opportunities for each student
Elevating and supporting Indiana's educators
Increasing partnerships and delivering aligned, effective, and efficient support
Role Overview:
The School and Summer Nutrition Program Field Specialist is responsible for managing the oversight, monitoring, and corrective actions of sponsoring organizations in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Summer Food Service Programs (SFSP). These programs provide hundreds of millions of dollars in nutrition support for children throughout the State of Indiana. Field specialists evaluate overall sponsor administration to determine ongoing program compliance with federal regulations and state policies. They must recognize areas of non-compliance and reveal program deficiencies to sponsoring officials during on-site evaluations. They issue corrective action determinations and provide program assistance to correct problems within program administration. The position is also responsible for providing program ongoing and detailed technical assistance, nutrition education, and program specific training to sponsors regularly. They demonstrate Indiana's federal compliance accountability to USDA regional staff through accompanied reviews. The field specialists work with division office staff and management to develop and implement policies and best practices for these programs. Field Specialists are assigned a specific territory within the state, comprising approximately 60-80 school corporations along with community and nonprofit agencies. Territory borders fluctuate depending upon the number of sponsors within a geographic area and the number of field specialists. The geographical area for posted positions normally varies and is dependent upon the current field staff territory vacancies and assigned workload.
This territory requires work and travel within a group of counties in the southwest corner of the state.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $59,800.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
75% - Conduct Administrative School Nutrition Program Reviews and Summer Food Service Site and Administrative Reviews.
-Conducts program reviews on-site at schools, community organizations, and other sponsors by evaluating federal and state program regulatory compliance in both School Nutrition and Summer Food Service Programs.
-Relies on extensive knowledge of school food service operations and USDA regulations to thoroughly conduct administrative reviews of both School Nutrition and SFSP programs
-Analyzes data, audits program records, and through on-site observation confirms and/or determines course of action required for program compliance.
-Documents program deficiencies at all site and administrative levels when program insufficiencies are determined.
-Evaluates sponsor corrective action plans and when necessary, provides follow up reviews and program technical assistance to confirm actions implemented demonstrate compliance.
-Prepares and provides written formal documentation of findings, corrective action, and completes steps to provide closure to all assigned reviews.
-Hosts regional USDA staff during accompanied reviews.
-Completes independent scheduling in to meet quarterly goals set by division upper management.
-Meets department goals for conducting and completing reviews in a timely manner, including all written and electronic paperwork
-Independently serves as the key point of contact from the Indiana Department of Education for school and summer nutrition program sponsors in their assigned areas
25% - Training, policy development and implementation, program assistance, and staff development
-Influences and helps develop program policies and procedures with office staff and Assistant Directors
-Utilizes extensive knowledge of USDA regulations, state regulations and field operations to interpret and implement changing State, Local and Federal Regulations that may, at times, appear contradictory.
-Provides sponsors with program assistance and consulting services regarding the USDA Child Nutrition Programs. This may include but is not limited to information concerning regulations, policies, instructions and nutrition education for the School Nutrition Programs and the Summer Food Service Program and encompasses a broad range of topics, including but not limited to: food safety, meal pattern compliance, recordkeeping, CNPweb documentation, USDA regulations, local and state regulations, civil rights, professional standards for school nutrition employees, financial management in food service programs, farm to school initiatives, wellness programs, Community Eligibility Provision, etc.
-Provides local and regional training workshops for school and summer program operators, teachers, parents, students, and participants.
-Collaborates with appropriate professionals regarding nutrition education research and resource materials as related to Child Nutrition Programs.
-Performs other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
Bachelor's degree required. Degree required in a related field, including food service management, business administration, public administration, nutrition, and/or dietetics or 4 years of professional work experience in food service management.
Ability to deal with confrontational situations, administer punitive findings, and resolve conflicts.
Ability to maintain confidentiality in working with sensitive documents and awkward situations
Extensive knowledge school food service operations and food safety.
Extensive knowledge of federal (USDA) and state rules and regulations.
Decision-making and leadership skills.
Independent time management skills.
Advanced knowledge of nutrition education issues.
Analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Self-directed work with little supervision.
Working knowledge of computer software (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, data base operations, communication functions, and on-line services).
Strong interpersonal and training skills.
Basic math and accounting skills.
Good human relation skills with an ability to work with diverse constituencies, with a variety of educational levels.
Must have a valid Indiana driver's license and own and operate a motor vehicle for regular travel.
Statewide travel with some overnight stays is required.
Occasional out of state travel is required.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
Needs to be self-motivated and must be able to work independently. No direct reports.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
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