Healthy Schools Program Specialist

Make a difference in Student Health and Wellness Across Nebraska! The Nebraska Department of Education is looking for a Healthy Schools Program Specialist to lead the implementation of the CDC and USDA Healthy Schools grant. In this role, you’ll collaborate with school districts, local health departments, and other organizations to promote healthier school environments through recipe development and training for school nutrition staff, promoting physical activity resources, and wellbeing initiatives. If you're an innovative thinker with excellent communication and relationship building skills, a strong ability to manage grants and complex projects, and a passion for improving student well-being, we want to hear from you!

This position is fixed term, with an end date of September 30, 2026. This position may be extended subject to the continuation and availability of funding.

Office Location & Schedule: This position is assigned to our office located at 84th & O St, Lincoln, NE, with potential for some telework after an onboarding and training period, contingent upon proper agency approvals.

Pay Rate: $30.219/hour This rate is based upon available budget funds; any offer will be made at this rate.

Teammates Enjoy

In addition to being part of meaningful work and making a difference through public service, our Total Compensation package includes an approximate $26,900 in additional Benefits value! See full benefits information at https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

• Competitive benefits, paid time off, and retirement
• 79% employer-paid health insurance, dental, vision, long and short-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts, employee discount program, and more!
• Generous vacation and sick leave earnings each year (starting at 12 days each!), plus a variety of other leave types
• 156% state-matched retirement (yes, that’s $1.56 for every dollar!) with a guaranteed 5% return
• Thirteen paid holidays per year

Essential Functions

• Develops, coordinates, and supports trainings and professional development related to health, nutrition, physical activity, and wellbeing best practices.
• Collaborates with farm-to-school program staff to develop, analyze, and publish recipes using Nebraska-grown products and in compliance with USDA crediting processes.
• Tracks activities and resources regarding Whole Child framework, nutrition, physical activity, and childcare centers, afterschool, and summer programs in collaboration with partnering organizations.
• Provides sub-grants and other funding opportunities to support implementation of Whole Child efforts (e.g., farm-to-school, mental health, physical activity, nutrition education) and school wellness policy implementation. Reviews and approves sub-grant expense reimbursements.
• Provides support and technical assistance to all grant partners, LHDs, agencies, and school districts participating in grant programs. 
• Develops and disseminates training materials and educational resources to support schools with assessment of child nutrition and after school programs, development of wellness policies, and alignment to school improvement efforts and other projects. Provides technical assistance to local education agencies (LEAs), community partners, and local health departments (LHDs).
• Writes contracts, progress reports, and final reports in compliance with federal, CDC, USDA, and NDE guidelines.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to plan, organize, implement, and coordinate evaluation and epidemiological activities.

Working Conditions and Travel:

This position requires approximately 70% of work time spent in an office environment (e.g., state offices, home offices); the remaining 30% is spent traveling or working in alternative sites such as schools, educational service units, local health departments, and other agencies. There is also approximately three days of overnight travel per month.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a related field and three years of experience related to the essential functions of the position. Any equivalent education and/or work experience may be substituted in order to meet the minimum qualifications of the position.

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in a related field (e.g., public health, nutrition, dietetics), registered dietitian, and at least five years of experience directly related to the essential functions of the position.

This position is federally funded and may be governed by the Federal Hatch Act. Click here to review the Act.