Program Consultant (210226)

Job Description:

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has a Program Consultant opening in Topeka. Nutrition and WIC Services is looking for a Vendor Manager over food delivery to ensure that WIC approved products are available at contracted grocery stores. This position requires a high degree of accuracy.

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Management of Program Integrity, Research and Analysis: Routinely reviews and evaluates vendor payment patterns, pricing information, UPC list, and other food delivery issues.  Establishes criteria and manages the vendor high risk identification process.  Manages the investigation of vendors identified as high risk to assess program compliance. Establish vendor peer groups for reimbursing WIC Vendors. Prepare assigned USDA food expenditure reports and vendor management reports.  Work with authorized vendors and corporate offices to arrange the direct ordering of special formula for women, infants and/or children.

Planning and Policy Development: Research Federal regulations and creates new policies and procedures for implementation on a statewide basis.  Revise current statewide policies and procedures to improve the delivery of services to WIC participants.  Provide written comment and response to appropriate State and Federal agencies for proposed regulations relating to WIC food delivery and program integrity.  Assist in product and cost availability in developing the WIC Approved Food List. Develop goals and objectives and procedures for the responsibilities of this position.

Conducting Local Agency Management Evaluations: Functions as the lead contact for assigned local WIC agencies. As part of a two-person evaluation team, conducts an evaluation of assigned local WIC agencies. Assesses local agency compliance with State policies and procedures and Federal regulations governing the operation of the WIC program.  Prepares reports of findings that contain recommendations to bring the local agency into compliance. Determines whether the local agency response and proposed changes in operations will result in compliance or if additional technical assistance is required. Provides needed technical assistance to assigned agencies. Continually evaluates local agency performance from submission of working documents, management reports, budgets, on-site observations, and telephone contacts to determine if regulatory requirements are being met or if additional technical assistance is indicated. Reviewed annually by supervisor for completeness, correctness, and professional management of tasks. Travel is required.

Vendor Management: Manages the food operations component of the WIC program at the statewide level. Gives direction to local agencies and vendors throughout the state to ensure compliance with policies and procedures governing the WIC program.  Provide technical assistance to currently participating vendors to help them understand the purpose and methods of the WIC program.  Attend national and regional conferences regarding food delivery and program integrity related to food delivery.  Coordinate the maintenance of the food delivery and integrity components of the WIC Management Information System

Qualifications: 

• One year of experience in planning, implementing, and monitoring activities relevant to the agency’s programs.

Education:

The minimum level of education and experience required to perform the job.

• High School, GED

Licensing & Certification: 

• Valid Driver’s License – Incumbent is required to have and maintain a valid driver’s license when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Any additional skills, experiences, or qualifications that would be beneficial, but aren’t strictly necessary.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Health, or Education.
• Two years’ experience in data analysis and preparing reports based on data.
• Two years’ experience in teaching and training individuals and small and large groups.
• Two years’ experience in program, policy and procedure development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Two years’ experience working independently in deadline situations.
• Ability to remember facts, numerical data, regulations/policies/procedures, and ability to understand and answer questions regarding such information from live audiences and individuals.
• Goal setting and self-initiative.
• Ability to make judgments based on facts and situations.
• Teaching and developing training materials.
• Communications and negotiation skills.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data.
• Proofreading, editing, attention to detail.
• Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access.

About the Position: 

• Who can apply: Anyone (External)
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (Flexible schedules available)
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans’ Preference Eligible: Yes

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

How to Apply:

Specific instructions for applying, which might include submitting a resume, cover letter, list of references, or completing an online application.

• Please include the Job ID number (210226) when emailing.

Job Application Process:  Only applications submitted within our State of Kansas Careers Portal will be considered.

• First Sign in or register as a New User at https://admin.ks.gov/offices/personnel-services/jobs
• Complete or update your contact information on the State of Kansas Careers Portal > My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed for each specific job posting.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
  • Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
  • Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Contact Information:

[email protected]

Salary Range

$ $21.14 to $23.27