School Nutrition Program Specialist (00160)

This first review of applications will be August 26, 2026. Please submit the following required documents on the State of Montana Careers website:

• Resume - Please include dates of employment and your supervisor's name/phone number for each position.

For a complete job description, please email opi.careers@mt.gov

This position is eligible for full-time telework within the State of Montana

To be considered for this position, you must reside in Montana.

Why you would enjoy working here; Office of Public Instruction employees are a passionate group of professionals dedicated to leading and supporting our education system. We house a diverse collection of experiences with the 200 unique individuals we employ. Our specialists further OPI's purpose with applicable knowledge in education, health, research and analysis, nutrition, finance, administration, human resources, licensing and regulation, information technology, and many others. We are proud to serve 149,000 students pre-K to grade 12, their parents and guardians, 400 school districts, 16,000 educational professionals, and 3,000 adult learners.

Benefits of working for OPI:

• Work/life balance
• Family friendly
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public service loan forgiveness-Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.

Job Overview:

This position performs various professional duties to oversee approximately 269 School Nutrition Program sponsors (school districts) and 97 Summer Food Service Program sponsors statewide. This position conducts off-site and on-site monitoring for Administrative and Procurement Reviews following U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) review criteria. Onsite and offsite monitoring requires demonstrated skill in using complicated data to resolve sensitive problems through individualized solutions. The scope of this position includes knowledge in program compliance monitoring, program management, state and federal laws and departmental rules and policies related to School Nutrition Programs, nutrition counsel, resource management, and budgeting and fiscal systems. The Administrative Review, Procurement Review, and Summer Food Service Program Review processes are mandated by the USDA respectively under 7 CFR Part 210.18, 7 CFR 210.21, 215.14a, 220.16, and 7 CFR 225.7.

This position applies expert nutrition counsel in combination with specialized knowledge related to School Nutrition Programs regulations to communicate with schools and the general public; interprets complex regulations to schools and the general public; and assists schools in implementing policies and procedures to comply with the regulations. The position stays up-to-date on new regulations and amendments to existing regulations of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs, continually notifies and educates sponsors of new and changing laws, and monitors compliance with the National School Lunch Program federal requirements (administrative requirements, procurement requirements, and nutrition standards). The nutrition expertise provided to the school meal programs help school children in Montana reach their full potential in both academic and physical development.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Behaviors):

• Knowledge of nutrition and food concepts and the relationship to education; institutional food service management and production; operational and financial management; nutrition program planning; State and Federal regulations; public health and management; and research methodologies.
• Knowledge or professional experience with USDA Child Nutrition programs regulations.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation, conflict management, nutrition and the science of foods and their application in health and disease prevention
• Knowledge of the operations, services, and activities of the assigned programs; the principles, procedures, methods, and treatments related to the assigned programs; and pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations related to the assigned programs.
• Skilled in analyzing data from various sources used by the School Nutrition Program and research results from professional studies.
• Skilled in interpersonal skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, other agencies/programs at the Federal and State level, local agency staff, food company representatives, program participants and the public.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; and skill in using a computer and typical business applications.
• Skilled in written and verbal communication skills and creating/conducting training (in person and virtual).

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

• Bachelor's degree with an academic major in areas including food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education or a related field.
• Two years of experience in any of the following: nutrition, institutional food management programs and/or adult education/training programs.
• Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Preferred:

• Registered dietitian or Registered nutrition and dietetic technician preferred.
• Federal nutrition program experience preferred.

Does this sound like you?

Please tell us how and why by submitting your resume online, including any veterans or disability preference documentation. When submitting the required documents, you must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process.

OPI is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

This position is in the PERS retirement system.