HEALTH AND NUTRITION SERVICES, PROGRAM PROJECT SPECIALIST 1

Arizona Department of Education The Arizona Department of Education is a service organization committed to raising academic outcomes and empowering parents. Health and Nutrition Services, Program Project Specialist 1 Job Location: Health and Nutrition Services Section Phoenix Location Posting Details: Salary: $48,000 Grade: 18 Closing Date: 08/19/2026 Job Summary: • This position will provide operational support necessary for the implementation of the new food distribution software and overall support for the federal United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods in Schools Program. • Occasional in-state and rare out-of-state travel is required for this position. The Arizona Department of Education currently utilizes a hybrid work environment, with up to two days of remote work (contingent upon business needs). Candidates should apply with an ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate. Job Duties: • Provide customer service for Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) operators participating in the USDA Foods in Schools program in the form of program guidance, technical assistance, and regulatory compliance information • On-board new operators, new sites, and new users that participate in the USDA Foods in Schools program • Ensure that all operators fulfill program requirements promptly • Terminate operators who no longer participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), making them ineligible for the USDA Foods in Schools Program • Complete formal and informal technology related testing for HNS related scope in ADE data systems • Place or remove temporary deactivations for operators as required, based on compliance review findings, unpaid invoices, or any other deemed necessary circumstances Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge in: • Federal Child Nutrition Programs, school lunch program • Policy and procedures documents • Electronic file storage systems • Ticketing systems for tracking external requests • Applicants must have experience with customer service • An associate degree, or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required. Skills in: • Interpersonal skills • Excellent verbal and written communication • Intermediate skills in Microsoft applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint • Strong organizational and time management • Spreadsheet principles to calculate and analyze data Ability to: • Operate successfully in a team environment • Perform to stated deadlines and to produce expected results • Express ideas and information clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing • Process instructions successfully update materials, and accurately process requisitions • Coordinate and support multiple tasks and track progress Selective Preference(s): • Preference will be given to those applicants with a bachelor’s degree. Pre-Employment Requirements: • Offers are contingent upon successful completion of all background and reference checks, required documents and, if applicable, a post-offer medical/physical evaluation. • If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Driver’s License Requirements. • All employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). Benefits: The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including: • Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans • Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans • Ten paid holidays per year • Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years • Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly • Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program). • Deferred compensation plan • Wellness plans Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here . For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page Retirement : You will be required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) upon your 27th week of employment, subject to waiting period. On or shortly after, your first day of employment you will be provided with enrollment instructions and effective date. Contact Us: The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 542-3186 or emailing [email protected]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. To submit your resume, click the "APPLY NOW" button below. Having trouble applying for this position? Call (602) 542-4700 for assistance.