Health And Nutrition Services Data Specialist

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 DATA SPECIALIST

Job Location:

Health and Nutrition Services Division

Phoenix Location

Posting Details:

Salary: $62,500 - $70,000 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: 10/14/2024

Job Summary:

• This position is necessary for the accurate and timely submission of reports submitted to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services on monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. It collects and distributes data to internal and external customers through data requests.
• This position will be the subject matter expert using data analytics software which is a key component of data gathering to conduct trends analysis and data collection to support the division's strategic planning.
• 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:

This position:
• Provides guidance and support for data-related reporting and data needs as it relates to Health and Nutrition Services (HNS) for consumers of data such as schools, LEAs, other divisions at ADE, (USDA) and stakeholders;
• Works on deadline-driven, division and state-wide critical projects that occur cyclically throughout the year that require extensive coordination and access of ADE data systems from multiple areas of Health and Nutrition and other divisions at ADE;
• Is responsible for the data integrity, analysis, and sharing of all HNS data following ADE and USDA data security standards;
• Verifies the accuracy of data reported by operators of the Child Nutrition Programs as well as the accuracy of the data processed by the Health and Nutrition to be used in USDA Federal reporting and other federal and state programs administered by ADE;
• Responds to all data requests and provides technical assistance to both internal and external stakeholders regarding; not limited to free and reduced price (FRL) data used for measuring poverty level for state and federal grant purposes;
• Communicates data sets through stakeholder and agency meetings, web-based reporting, mass communication, graphic visualization, and Synchronous/asynchronous webinars;
• Provides graphics, data sets, and data trends from outputs using statistical software such as SPSS for HNS reports such as then Nutrition Trends;
• Will be granted access to HNS data analytic software to design data cubes for elevated trend analysis used in division strategic planning; and
• Serves to conceptualize, test, and release any surveys or data collection required of child nutrition operators for HNS

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:
• Data gathering and cleaning techniques
• Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs and Child Nutrition Programs
• Federal regulations, state laws, and policies pertaining to all Child Nutrition Programs
• A Bachelor's and/or Master's degree with emphasis in data management and/or statistics or equivalent experience to substitute for the degree, is required.

Skills in:
• Problem solving
• Organization
• Time management
• Multiple project management
• Critical thinking
• Working well in a team and across disciplines
• Self-motivation
• Intermediate to advanced skill in using in Microsoft Word and Excel, including using formulas

Ability to:
• Research and analyze data
• Communicate effectively; both in verbally and in writing
• Create reports and develop comprehensive visuals
• Perform multiple tasks simultaneously
• Establish and maintain interpersonal relationships and meet deadlines
• Think critically and make objective determinations

Selective Preference(s):

• Preference will be given to those applicants with experience with Federal Nutrition Assistance Programs (Child Nutrition Programs, School Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)).

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 to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State 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 pilot 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 Human.Resources@azed.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.