CACFP Nutrition Consultant - Education Specialist III

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

CHILD NUTRITION

2 positions available including, one Anticipated Vacancy

Telework Available Upon Management Approval

Opening Date: June 27, 2025

Closing Date:  July 14, 2025

Job Class Code: 3060
Grade: 26
Salary: $56,264.00 - $83,761.60/Annually
Position Number: 014001156, 020232400

Purpose:

The Child Nutrition Department is looking for a new member of our Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) team. We are a dynamic group of professionals who work to implement the USDA Child Nutrition programs.  Staff work to approve operations, distribute funds, provide training and technical assistance, provide outreach and form partnerships, and monitor and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and guidance.  This team member can work hybrid but must be able to travel for site audits.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide outreach and administer trainings in a variety of formats to recruit new program participants; interpreting federal Child Nutrition regulations and waivers from the USDA as well as administering and explaining these regulations to program operators; providing new applicants with personalized technical assistance regarding completing CACFP contracts; evaluating, processing and approving new contracts and annual contract renewals between CACFP applicants and the state agency to ensure they demonstrate that they are operating in conformance with the CACFP performance standards - Viability, Capability and Accountability (VCA) outlined in federal regulation 7CFR 226.6(b)(1): performing in-depth, institution-wide financial audits to ensure that applicants meet federal CACFP financial viability requirements, reviewing in-house institutional policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal CACFP requirements for administrative capability; planning, developing and administering technical assistance and trainings to CACFP program operators to ensure that federal and state regulations regarding CACFP program operations are followed; approving and monitoring applications for CACFP start-up and expansion funds; applying for and managing CACFP grant funding; reimbursement for accuracy and remitting reimbursement payments within federally established timeframes when needed, and connection school nutrition programs with the CACFP.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of general nutrition principals.


• Knowledge of general accounting principles.


• knowledge of federal laws and regulations governing Child Nutrition programs.


• Skills in public speaking.


• Ability to communicate effectively with people of different educational and professional backgrounds.


• Ability to organize, develop, plan, and present professional development programs for adult learning principals.


• Ability to interpret federal Child Nutrition regulations from the USDA as well as explain and administer these regulations to program operators.


• Ability to organize and manage multiple tasks.


• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.


• Ability to work independently as well as to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a diverse, fast-paced, team environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelors Degree in Education or required specialty/substance area and four (4) years professional level experience in required specialty/subject area.


• A Masters Degree in Education or required specialty/subject area may be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preference will be given to candidates possessing health, nutrition and/or dietary credentials and school nutrition related and/or childcare experience. Additional preference will be given to candidates who can display financial acumen.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.


• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. 


• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).


• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.29% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). 

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. 

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.