Nutrition Program Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 878237 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: FNW PROGRAM SPECIALIST IV-DACS - 42004088

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42004088 

Salary:  $56,515.16 - $59,340.92 

Posting Closing Date: 09/07/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FNW PROGRAM SPECIALIST IV - DACS

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

DIVISION OF FOOD, NUTRITION AND WELLNESS

***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***

CONTACT:

Rick Parks (850) 617-7431

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma or its equivalent and eight (8) years of professional or technical experience in consumer complaint program work, business administration, consumer or public relations, investigations, administrative work, professional regulation, or a field related to the area of responsibility; or

A bachelor's degree (four (4) years) 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, administrative work, professional regulation, or a field related to the area of responsibility; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Requires possession of a valid Driver's License.

EDUCATIONAL NOTE: 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.  A list of approved agencies can be viewed at "Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies, Florida Department of Education." Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies (fldoe.org)

***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***

To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values
and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) as defined by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a condition of employment.

Must be willing to obtain additional training appropriate to job functions.

Moderate travel required.

NOTES:

To maintain fairness and integrity, applicants are required to provide honest and authentic responses during all stages of the evaluation and selection process. Applicants must rely on their own personal knowledge, thoughts, and impressions. A candidate's use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to answer qualifying questions or participate in interviews will be taken into consideration when determining qualification for the position.

Successful applicant must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.

Actual hours of work shift will be established by supervisor and based on providing departmental coverage for established business hours.

Some weekend and evening travel required for attendance/presentations at conferences and meetings.

JOB DUTIES:

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.

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 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. This includes checking plans to ensure creditable food items from each of the required food components are offered and the minimum portion sizes and quantities are served as required for federal reimbursement. Using nutrient analysis software or other tools, conduct nutrient analyses or nutrient assessments to verify calories, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat meet established nutrition standards. Complete USDA Menu Certification Worksheets and/or approved USDA software program. Provide technical assistance to school food authorities 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 school food authorities, which includes, but is not limited to, the development of menu template forms, sample menu plans, documents and reports. Serve as content expert for agency staff and school food authorities 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 school food authority, parent or community member and Capitol correspondence inquiries.

Review wellness policies submitted by school food authorities to ensure compliance with the federal wellness policy rules. Assist school food authorities in the development of local school wellness policies by assisting with research and providing recommendations that are effective, evidence-based strategies to consider 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 school food authorities.

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 during periods of disaster. 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 food cost accounting.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to Child Nutrition Programs.
• Ability to learn, interpret and 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 (For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com;)
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

SPECIAL NOTES:

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.