ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW SPECIALIST – TRAINEE

School or Community Operations

(Auditors/Internal Auditors/Enforcement/Compliance Reviewers/Inspectors)

Salary Information: $4,356.25/MO – B18

State Classification: Compliance Analyst I - 1400

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Posting Number: 23-57858-1

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online at via CAPPS. Applicants applying in WIT must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the position. To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en.

WHO ARE WE

The Texas Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Division administers 12 federal child and special nutrition programs and more than $2.5 billion in federal money annually. These programs aim to reduce hunger, encourage strong nutrition, and support local economies across Texas.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

The Administrative Review Specialist – Trainee is an entry-level position working in a fast paced, multi-faceted environment. You will train on and become proficient in conducting off-site and on-site Administrative Reviews (ARs) of various types of Contracting Entities (CEs) operating the National Child Nutrition Programs administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to determine compliance with federal and state regulations. You will train on and become proficient in evaluating and ensuring agreements are in compliance with federal and state rules and regulations regarding programs administered by the Food and Nutrition (F&N) division of the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). You will work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Career Promotion Opportunity: As an Administrative Review Specialist – Trainee, you will have to complete a 4-month training program successfully. You will be on probation for a 6-month period upon employment. Administrative Review Specialist – Trainees who have successfully completed the training program (approximately four months) will move to next classification level with commensurate salary upon meeting established criteria for the position.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Train on and become proficient in reviewing CE application and other documents to properly, completely and efficiently plan and prepare for reviews.

Train on and become proficient in conducting United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and F&N ARs in accordance with federal, state and F&N processes and procedures.

Train on and become proficient in identifying, monitoring, evaluating, and determining CE compliance performance, including reviewing internal controls systems and completing risk-based analysis to determine compliance with federal, state, local and other applicable rules and regulations.

Train on and become proficient in utilizing all program review methods, tools, and state electronic systems to accurately document program operational and management compliance with all Child Nutrition (CN) programs.

Train on and become proficient in gathering and documenting processes and procedures; and assist in organizing and electronically submitting all required and appropriate data used in the Administrative Review (AR).

Assist with notifying CEs of required corrective actions; evaluate and approve/deny corrective action plans for compliance with federal and state rules and regulations; and recommend adverse actions up to and including contract termination, as assigned.

Train on and become proficient in following all review processes for each type of review conducted and assist in preparing corrective action documents, closing reviews, letters and other applicable documents timely and at the assigned accuracy rate.

Train on and become proficient in conducting necessary compliance actions to assist in complaint investigations submitted from stakeholders (i.e., CEs, principles, parents, division, agency, ESCs and the public) and assist in preparing reports on specific efforts and final resolution.

Train on and become proficient in reviewing CE policy statements and/or management plans to assess accuracy, correctness and approvability, if applicable.

Communicate, both verbally and via email (as determined by the management team), with management the results from required ARs, including significant trends, problem areas or potentially controversial circumstances.

Provide excellent customer service and professionalism in all interactions with internal and external customers.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree.

Valid Texas driver’s license and an acceptable driving record*.

Required to travel to Austin for training (50% - 70% of the time if the employee office location is outside of Austin); and

Required to work and travel across the state for on-the-job (OJT) training 50-70% of the time, depending on designated TDA F&N Office locations and OJT assignments.

PREFERRED

Work experience in areas such as food service management, school food service operations, nutrition education, compliance reviews for federal grants, and/or audit.

Work experience conducting Administrative Reviews in child nutrition.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of federally funded child nutrition programs.

Skill in providing excellent customer service to both internal and external customers; in the use of a computer and applicable software.

Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; to maintain effective working relationships; to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; to provide guidance to others; to gather, analyze, evaluate, and monitor programs for compliance with program requirements and with applicable federal and state rules and regulations; to interpret and accurately apply the regulations of federal and state programs, administered by TDA; to interpret, accurately evaluate and apply review data to generate detailed, reliable, and valid recommendations; to make presentations one-on-one or in group settings; to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

ENVIRONMENTAL/PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

Normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Involves periods of sedentary work alternating with periods of work that may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping, and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to fifty (50) pounds. Involves traveling by plane and/or car, frequently driving for long distances and frequent overnight travel – up to 50-70% travel. Must be able to complete individual travel, as well as traveling with a group, for assignments. Must be able work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed.

BENEFITS

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

QUALIFIED EMPLOYER: In addition, the Texas Department of Agriculture is considered a qualified employer for the Department of Education’s Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Only candidates selected for a skills exercise/interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted for interview purposes.

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center, you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.

• A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran’s status, or protected activity (retaliation). TDA provides accommodations for persons with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act. If you need help with the employment process or require other accommodations, please contact the Human Resources office for assistance at (512) 463-7454.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Veterans and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at Compliance, Inspection, Investigation MOS Codes.