Nutrition Promotion and Communication Specialist; ESC

Overview

The Nutrition Promotion and Communication Specialist (ESC) role supports statewide communication efforts for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The position develops clear, accessible messaging to explain federal and state nutrition policies and creates toolkits, eLearning modules, fact sheets, and other professional development resources aligned with DESE and USDA guidelines. It also monitors and evaluates communications and training effectiveness and recommends targeted outreach strategies to strengthen participation and program integrity.

Location:

This is a hybrid, full-time position based at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Everett, MA. This position is currently expected to work in-person two days per week, increasing to three assigned days per week in-person beginning August 31, 2026.

• Develop and implement statewide communication strategies to promote Child Nutrition Programs. Identify unengaged stakeholders and develop targeted outreach plans to increase engagement.
• Create clear, accessible messaging to explain federal and state nutrition policies to diverse audiences, including school districts, community partners, and families.
• Coordinate translation and 508 accessibility efforts to meet federal language access requirements.
• Draft toolkits, eLearning, trainings, fact sheets, and promotional materials aligned with DESE and USDA guidelines.
• Develop a monitoring system for the progress and accomplishment of communications and training objectives, activities, and impact on program integrity and advancement.
• Conduct data collection and analysis using standard survey tools (e.g., Alchemer, Google Forms, etc.).
• Monitor learner engagement and make recommendations on ways to reach unengaged audiences.
• Create new professional development resources from scratch, with some supervision and content expert guidance.
• Collaborate as part of the Nutrition Education and School Wellness and Training section to provide technical assistance to programs to maintain efficient and effective management practices to support program integrity.
• Establish and maintain regular communication with program internal staff and collaborating school districts and partner outreach organizations, including by phone, mail and email.
• Work across department clusters and with collaborating agencies on activities to enhance department goals.
• Ensure all program activities are conducted in compliance with USDA and DESE affirmative action non-discrimination policies.
• Collaborate on projects with colleagues and perform other duties as required.

• Ability to create clear, accessible messaging to explain federal and state nutrition policies to diverse audiences, including school districts, community partners, and families.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks.
• Commitment to advancement of federal Child Nutrition Programs.
• Demonstrated ability to participate effectively in professional team efforts.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and group processing skills with diverse groups of people.
• Critical thinking and problem solving using technology.
• Ability to maintain a varied schedule of local, regional and statewide activity which is not restricted by access to public transportation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Based on assignment, travel throughout the Commonwealth may be required.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

• Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree and at least four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional educational experience in a specific or related content area, educational program/or service.
• A Master’s degree or higher in a specific or related educational content area may be substituted for two years of the required experience -- 30 semester hours equals one year of experience for substitution purposes.

Special Requirements:
Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's License or the equivalent from another state may be required.

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