FNW PROGRAM SPECIALIST IV - DACS - 42005782

Requisition No: 870380 

Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services

Working Title: FNW PROGRAM SPECIALIST IV - DACS - 42005782

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 42005782 

Salary:  $52,530.14 - $55,156.66 

Posting Closing Date: 02/25/2026 

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:

Amy Hayden (850) 617-7132

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.

Please Note: There will be a numerically based work sample administered with an established minimum required passing score to all eligible candidates as part of the hiring process for this position.

***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:

Frequent travel required.

Monthly travel will vary based on activities scheduled (reviews, technical assistance, workshops, conferences).

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

Obtain certification in food safety (such as Serv-Safe or equivalent) within 12 months of appointment.

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 completing reviews and attendance/presentations at conferences and meetings.

JOB DUTIES:

The employee is primarily responsible for monitoring program requirements under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) which includes the School Breakfast Program (SBP), Afterschool Snack Program (ASSP), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP), Special Milk Program (SMP), Seamless Summer Option (SSO), and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).  The employee is also responsible for conducting various on-site reviews in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (7 CFR 210, 7 CFR 215, 7 CFR 220, 7 CFR 225, 7 CFR 245, 2 CFR 200, and 7 CFR 250).  The employee will conduct on-site School Meals Administrative Reviews (SMAR) alone, as a team member, and/or as a review lead.

Conducts comprehensive, on-site evaluations of School Food Authorities (SFAs) and Sponsors participating in the child nutrition programs.  Conducts computerized nutrient analyses of SFA menus. Responsible for making a preliminary selection of schools/sites to be reviewed based on data obtained from the SFA/Sponsor. Prepares work packets, completes the off-site and on-site program review tools, and other appropriate review forms and documents within the regulatory timeframes, and organizes documents appropriately. Conducts entrance conferences to review the focus and scope of the evaluations and exit conferences to review findings and provide corrective actions and suggestions to SFAs/Sponsors/sites as needed.  Demonstrates working knowledge of procurement and nutrition standard and discriminatory practices as required by the Code of Federal Regulation. Coordinates with the procurement, resource management, and nutrition standards teams to compile and issue SMAR Reports to SFAs/Sponsors to include a corrective action plan, associated timeframes for corrective action, and any potential fiscal action.  Posts and tracks SMAR data as directed using the automated system or formatted spreadsheets as needed for reporting.

Serves as review lead as required.  Ensures SMARs are conducted in accordance with federal regulations, state laws, rules, policies, and procedures.  Responsible for making travel arrangements to include travel authorizations, as needed, using automated system and making arrangements for hotel, car, and/or air travel as applicable for team travel.  Coordinates team meetings with all necessary staff.

Attends and participates in team meetings and staff meetings. Reviews and coordinates with the procurement team, resource management, nutrition standards and any other team members, to ensure the procurement tool is accurate and consistent with the SMAR.  Develops and aids in the implementation of internal processes and procedures.  Maintains and updates SMAR forms as needed in accordance with regulations and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services policies.  Maintains the database for tracking programs implemented well by SFAs undergoing review.  Assists with administrative appeals on an as-needed basis.

Assists with the emergency management functions of the bureau during periods of disaster.  Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures and have extensive knowledge of foods and nutrition.
• Knowledge of Child Nutrition Programs operations and Nutrition Education activities.
• Ability to recognize program deficiencies and irregularities and recommend methods of correction.
• Ability to recognize program needs and provide competent and effective assistance to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and food service directors/managers relative to problems of marketing, purchasing, menu development, computerized nutrient analysis, storage of foods and maintenance of accounts, records, and reports.
• Skill in effective public relations, including conducting meetings and workshops related to Child Nutrition Program operations.
• Ability to communicate and express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Basic math skills and general knowledge of accounting principles and proficiency in basic computer skills to include familiarity with word processing and calculating programs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups.

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:

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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.