Rural Health Nutrition Specialist; Program Specialist II

Rural Health Nutrition Specialist (Program Specialist II)

Job Posting: JR
• Hiring Agency:
Education - Agency 13
•

Location:

Lincoln, NE
• Pay Grade: 7
• Rate: $30.979 per hour
• Term:
Fixed term, end date July
31,2027

Note: Applications no longer accepted as of 07‑22‑2026. This posting has closed.

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a collaborative effort to leverage partnerships between agriculture partners and schools to promote healthy living through proper nutrition and access to healthy foods. The role focuses on developing a learning lab for procurement training to increase purchasing relationships between schools and producers, and to better facilitate local food sourcing and enhance supply chains for rural schools through marketing and outreach.

Candidates should be familiar with farm‑to‑school initiatives and local food systems, and experienced with USDA child nutrition programs and procurement standards.
The Nebraska Department of Education does not sponsor or transfer non‑immigrant work visas for these positions.

• Develops and implements training opportunities for school nutrition programs related to the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and increases procurement of local foods.
• Creates and updates evidence‑based learning materials and resources to support training opportunities.
• Coordinates logistics for training events including identifying and reserving locations.
• Responds to inquiries and provides consultative services and technical assistance to local program operators.
• Establishes and analyzes reporting and recording systems to monitor metrics and submit review reports.
• Maintains regular & reliable attendance, possesses a valid driver’s license and travels independently, and works in a variety of settings.

• 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.
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience working with USDA Child Nutrition Programs (e.g., National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child & Adult Care Food Program) especially with menu planning, procurement, or operations; familiarity with farm‑to‑school initiatives and local food systems.
• Position is federally funded and may be governed by the Federal Hatch Act.

• Competitive benefits, paid time off, and retirement including 79% employer‑paid health insurance, dental, vision, long‑ and short‑term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts, employee discount program.
• Generous vacation and sick leave starting at 12 days each year, plus various other leave types.
• 156% state‑matched retirement with a guaranteed 5% return.
• Thirteen paid holidays per year.

Approximately 85% of work time spent in an office environment; remaining 15% traveling or working in alternative sites such as conferences, meetings, and schools. Approximately three days of overnight travel per month.

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or genetics.