Program Specialist (Food Dietitian)

This position is assigned to the School Food Services Branch (SFSB), which is responsible for providing technical assistance and oversight to school food service programs in the State of Hawaii-Department of Education and to provide nutritionally balanced meals to a maximum number of children at a minimum unit price.

This position plans, develops, coordinates, implements, monitors, and evaluates the branch's dietetic program and school food services operations. The position serves as food and nutrition expert and is responsible for statewide menu and recipe planning and development.

Specialized Experience Requirement:One and one-half (1-1/2) years for the Program Specialist III, Two and one-half (2-1/2) years for the Program Specialist IV, and for the Program Specialist V, three and one-half (3-1/2) years of progressively responsible professional experience which demonstrated the ability to conduct studies and analyses of programs or projects through active participation in the planning, coordination, development and/or evaluation of programs and/or program activities. The experience must have involved performing professional work concerned with program interrelationships, effectiveness or intra-program integration. It must further have demonstrated a high degree of analytical skill involving the ability to identify information needs, collect and analyze data, and identify problems and alternative solutions and their advantages and disadvantages and develop logical recommendations for a course of action and the ability to read, comprehend and interpret complex material such as State statutes and/or federal regulations and draft comprehensive reports of findings and conclusions.

For the class Program Specialist V, applicants must possess experience independently performing the full range of program planning, development, and evaluation activities for an agency's program or program activities.Registration Requirement*:Applicants must be currently registered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Certification Requirement*:Applicants must possess a valid food handlers training level certification from the Hawaii Department of Health, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited organizations, or equivalent organization as determined by the Hawaii Department of Education.

License Requirement:Applicants must possess a current valid passenger-type motor vehicle operator's license to drive in the State of Hawaii.Employees are eligible for a range of benefits:

Holidays: You may be eligible for 13 paid holidays each year; 14 holidays during an election year. Ten month employees covered by a specific collective bargaining agreement must refer to the provisions of that agreement.

Vacation: Employees of Bargaining Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 13 earn 21 days per year. Ten month employees covered by a specific collective bargaining agreement must refer to the provisions of that agreement.

Sick Leave: Employees of Bargaining Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 13 earn 21 days per year. Accumulated (unused) credits may be used toward computing retirement benefits. Ten month employees covered by a specific collective bargaining agreement must refer to the provisions of that agreement.

Health Insurance: If eligible, the State pays a part of the premiums for each employee's enrollment in a State sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Adult Dental Plan.

Group Life Insurance: The State provides a free life insurance policy for employees between $7,245 to $36,225 depending on the employee's age and $2,272 for retirees.

Premium Conversion Plan: Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct the cost of health care premiums before payroll taxes are withheld.

Flexible Spending Accounts: Effective July 1, 2000, eligible employees can reduce their federal and state income taxes and social security taxes through a tax-savings benefit program called Island Flex. This program allows employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and eligible dependent care expenses on a BEFORE-TAX basis.

Retirement Plan: The State contributes to a retirement plan for eligible employees. Generally, employees with at least 10 years of credited service and who have reached 62 years of age or have 30 years of credited service and are 55 years old may retire and receive benefits. A normal benefit is based on an employee's years of credited service times 1.25% of the average of the employee's three highest years of pay.

Tax Shelter Annuity (TSA): If eligible, Department of Education employees are able to participate in a tax shelter annuity program. The TSA plan allows eligible employees to contribute pre-tax dollars to an employee-selected investment service provider authorized to provide TSA products.

Deferred Compensation: The State offers employees a tax deferred (sheltered) retirement investment program. This program is an opportunity to build a retirement nest egg through voluntary payroll deductions. Several investment options are available.

Temporary Disability Insurance: Qualified employees may be eligible to receive benefits for a disability caused by a non-work related injury or illness under this program.

Social Security: As an employer, the State also contributes to an employee's social security account.

Workers' Compensation: If an employee is injured while on the job, benefits covering medical expenses and partial wage support may be available through workers' compensation. An employee's sick leave or vacation leave may be used in combination with the workers' compensation benefits to assure a full paycheck.

Union & Collective Bargaining: Employees have the right to join the union for collective bargaining with the State and employee representation. Some employee unions provide discounts, insurance and other opportunities. Employees may also decide not to join a union, however, employees are required to pay union service fees unless the employee's job is excluded from collective bargaining.The above is intended as a summary of the applicable collective bargaining agreements, laws, rules, policies or plan documents, and is subject to change. This does not constitute a contract or binding agreement. Benefits vary by type of employment appointment and collective bargaining agreements.