Education Services Specialist (35 Hour)

Introduction

\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) is accepting applications for an Education Services Specialist (35 Hour) position within the Community Nutrition Program team in Hartford.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU\r\n\r\n\r\n Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!\r\n Professional growth and development opportunities.\r\n A healthy work/life balance to all employees.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPOSITION HIGHLIGHTS\r\n\r\n\r\n Hybrid\r\n First Shift\r\n Monday - Friday\r\n Location: Hartford\r\n Full Time, 35 hours per week\r\n\r\n\r\nTHE ROLE\r\nThe Education Services Specialist assists in the development and administration of programs and services. The position supports federally funded nutrition programs that provide eligible children and adults with nutritious meals in childcare, adult day care, afterschool, school, and summer settings. The ideal candidate will value accuracy, consistency, public service, and equitable access to nutrition programs. This individual will be comfortable applying detailed requirements, reviewing programmatic and financial records, communicating with varied audiences, and managing assignments with seasonal deadlines. Familiarity with public nutrition programs and experience working with schools, community-based organizations, childcare providers, or adult day care organizations will support success in the role.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWorking under the direction of program leadership, the Education Services Specialist will support the development, administration, monitoring, and continuous improvement of the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Seamless Summer Option of the National School Lunch Program. Responsibilities include reviewing applications and program records; providing training and technical assistance; interpreting federal and state requirements; conducting compliance activities; evaluating corrective action; reviewing financial and reimbursement information; and preparing guidance, correspondence, and reports. The position communicates regularly with sponsoring organizations, schools, local agencies, childcare institutions, adult day care institutions, community partners, and government stakeholders.\r\n\r\nKey Responsibilities:\r\n\r\n Assist with the administration of the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, and Seamless Summer Option.\r\n Review sponsor and site applications, supporting documentation, budgets, financial records, claims, and reimbursement data for compliance with applicable requirements.\r\n Conduct administrative reviews, monitoring visits, compliance reviews, and related follow-up activities.\r\n Evaluate findings and corrective action documentation to determine whether program requirements have been met.\r\n Research and apply federal and state statutes, regulations, policies, and program guidance.\r\n Develop and deliver training, presentations, technical assistance, written guidance, tools, and resources for program operators.\r\n Analyze program information, maintain records, prepare correspondence and reports, and support continuous improvement and program integrity.\r\n Collaborate with internal teams, government partners, sponsoring organizations, and community stakeholders.\r\n\r\nOur ideal candidate is a collaborative, service-oriented professional who can explain complex requirements clearly, organize competing priorities, attend carefully to program documentation, and support program operators through practical technical assistance.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nABOUT US\r\nThe Connecticut State Department of Education is the administrative arm of the Connecticut State Board of Education. Through leadership, curriculum, research, planning, evaluation, assessment, data analyses and other assistance, the Department helps to ensure equal opportunity and excellence in education for all Connecticut students. The Department is responsible for distributing funds to all Connecticut public school districts. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWatch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of CT employee!�\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:\r\nCheck out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:\r\n\r\n Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.�\r\n Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.\r\n Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.\r\n Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy:� Refer to General Letter No. 195 - Candidate Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Vacancy Filling Process.�\r\n Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.\r\n Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.\r\n Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.\r\n Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.\r\n\r\nAFTER YOU APPLY:\r\n\r\n Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates— such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information”.\r\n Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).\r\n Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!\r\n Stay Connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.\r\n Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.\r\n This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.\r\n\r\nQUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:\r\nDue to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Brittney Woodley at brittney.woodley@ct.gov. Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!\r\n

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Aging and Disability Services, Developmental Services, Education and the Office of Early Childhood this class assists in planning and executing a program for the improvement of education in the state, responsible under supervision for carrying out specific assignments of limited difficulty and scope.\r\n

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

\r\n\r\n Assists in the\r\n development and administration of educational programs and services offered by\r\n the state;\r\n Provides professional\r\n leadership and guidance to school authorities, professional organizations,\r\n students and various community groups and individuals;\r\n May personally\r\n administer certain phases of educational program within the framework of bureau\r\n policy;\r\n May assist in directing\r\n the routine functioning of the bureau;\r\n Performs related duties\r\n as required.\r\n\r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

\r\n Knowledge of the philosophy and\r\n methods of education with particular reference to the field concerned;\r\n Teaching skill;\r\n Ability to\r\n \r\n prepare reports;\r\n deal effectively with\r\n others.\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

\r\n\r\n A Bachelor's degree and four (4) years of professional experience.\r\n Department of Aging and Disability Services: A Master's degree and three (3) years of professional experience.\r\n\r\n\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

\r\n Experience administering a United States Department of Agriculture Child Nutrition Program, such as the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Summer Food Service Program, or Seamless Summer Option of the National School Lunch Program.\r\n Experience interpreting federal and state laws, regulations, policies, or program guidance.\r\n Experience conducting compliance reviews of publicly funded programs.\r\n Experience evaluating documentation submitted in response to compliance findings.\r\n Experience reviewing program applications, eligibility records, financial documentation, or reimbursement data for compliance.\r\n Experience developing written program guidance or delivering technical assistance to program operators.\r\n\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class in certain positions may be required to possess an appropriate certificate issued by the State Board of Education.\r\n

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec.\r\n5-196 of the Connecticut General\r\nStatutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general\r\ncharacteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative\r\npurposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task\r\nand/or responsibility.\r\n