Nutrition Education Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established January 23, 1979

Scope

This series specification describes three class levels with nutrition education program responsibilities in the Department of Education. These classes are responsible for providing leadership, coordination, and consultant services to local educational agencies in planning, developing, organizing, and implementing nutrition education programs; providing assistance in defining program needs and problems; and assisting school officials in assessing nutrition education program effectiveness.

Definition of Series

Persons in these classes provide leadership in nutrition education for California and other public agencies throughout the United States by developing policies, standards, and procedures for nutrition education programs administered by local educational agencies. Assignments include developing, disseminating, and promoting nutrition education policies, curricular materials, and related documents; providing consultant services in the development, coordination, planning, organization, and implementation of nutrition education programs for students, teachers, parents, community groups, and related staff; preparing ongoing needs assessments; developing, implementing, and evaluating the State Plan for Nutrition Education; integrating nutrition education program elements with State-administered Child Food/Nutrition Programs developing plans for integrating school dietary programs with classroom curricular activities; providing education and consultation services for teachers, administrators, researchers, and others responsible for or engaged in nutrition education; and establishing liaison with community agencies and parent groups to promote nutrition education. Persons in these classes do other related work.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

The scope and level of responsibilities assigned; the complexity of work; the independence of decision making on statewide and Department programs; and the degree of supervision exercised and received.

Definition of Levels

Nutrition Education Assistant

This is the entry and first journey level in the series. This class is used as a permanent level for lesser-skilled functions and as a training level for the Nutrition Education Consultant or comparable class. Under the general supervision of an Administrator, incumbents perform administrative and coordinative assignments; provide consultation and professional assistance to local educational agencies; and develop and implement components of the Nutrition Education Program in the less complex phases of the program. Assistants may also work under the guidance of a consultant.

Nutrition Education Consultant

This is the full journey level in the series. Under direction of an Administrator, consultants perform the more difficult, sensitive, and complex program formulation, analysis, implementation, administrative, coordinative and assessment activities in nutrition education. They may also provide leadership and training to incumbents in the Nutrition Education Assistant or comparable class.

Nutrition Education Administrator

This is the supervisory level in the series over professionals at the consultant and assistant levels. Under direction, an Administrator plans, organizes, and directs the work of a program unit in planning, developing, administering, and evaluating nutrition education programs for California public schools.

Minimum Qualifications

Credential Requirements

All classes in this series require the possession of a valid credential authorizing public school service in California as specified below. (Applicants who do not meet the credential requirement will be admitted to the examination, but must meet the requirement before they will be considered eligible for appointment.) [Possession of an earned Master's or Doctorate Degree or equivalent in Education or subjects related to nutrition education (such as nutrition, public health nutrition, health education, food service management, or home economics with a food and nutrition emphasis); or registration with the American Dietetic Association may be substituted for the credential requirement at any level.]

Nutrition Education Assistant

Possession of a valid teaching credential or credential of equivalent authorization.

Nutrition Education Consultant

Nutrition Education Administrator

Possession of a valid administration credential or credential or life diploma of equivalent authorization. (One year of experience in the California Department of Education performing the duties of a professional education class at a level equivalent to the class of Nutrition Education Assistant, Range B, or higher may also be substituted for the required credential. Experience used in this manner to meet the credential requirement must be in addition to that used to meet the general experience requirement.)

Experience Requirements

1. Experience applicable to one of the following patterns may be combined on a proportional basis with experience applicable to the other to meet the total experience requirement.

2. Experience in California state service applied toward the general experience pattern must include the same number of years of qualifying experience as required in the promotional pattern performing the duties of a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to that described in the promotional experience pattern.

Nutritional Education Assistant

Either I

Two years of professional experience in nutrition, health education, dietetics, home economics, or food service involving nutrition education, in one or a combination of the following settings: (1) a State or local educational institution or agency, or other public agency; (2) a community nutrition program emphasizing nutrition education; (3) a food service program with an education component; or (4) a health education program emphasizing nutrition education.

Or II

One year of administrative, supervisory, or equivalent staff level experience in nutrition, health education, dietetics, home economics, or food service involving nutrition education in one or a combination of the following settings: (1) a State or local educational institution or agency, or other public agency; (2) a community nutrition program emphasizing nutrition education; (3) a food service program with an education component; or (4) a health education program emphasizing nutrition education.

Nutrition Education Consultant

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing nutrition education duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to that obtained in the class of Nutrition Education Assistant, Range B.

Or II

Two years of administrative, supervisory, or equivalent staff level experience in nutrition, health education, dietetics, home economics, or food service involving nutrition education in one or a combination of the following settings: (1) a State or local educational institution or agency, or other public agency; (2) a community nutrition program emphasizing nutrition education; (3) a food service program with an education component; or (4) a health education program emphasizing nutrition education. One year of the above experience must have included responsibility for the development or administration of a nutrition education program.

Nutrition Education Administrator

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing professional nutrition education duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to that obtained in the class of Nutrition Education Consultant.

Or II

Two years of experience in the California state service performing professional nutrition education duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to that obtained in the class of Nutrition Education Assistant, Range B.

Or III

Three years of administrative, supervisory, or equivalent staff level experience in nutrition, health education, dietetics, home economics, or food service involving nutrition education in one or a combination of the following settings: (1) a State or local educational institution or agency, or other public agency; (2) a community nutrition program emphasizing nutrition education; (3) a food service program with an education component; or (4) a health education program emphasizing nutrition education. One year of the above experience must have included responsibility for the development or administration of a nutrition education program.

Knowledge and Abilities

Nutrition Education Assistant

Knowledge of: Principles, practices, trends, and techniques of good nutrition curriculum development; instructional methods for teaching nutrition to students, educational staff, school food service personnel, and parents; program planning techniques; research, statistics, and educational testing and measurement; child nutrition programs and their potential application in nutrition education; the needs of children from varied social, economics, and ethnic backgrounds; the provisions of applicable Federal regulations for child nutrition programs; the provisions of the Education Code and State Board of Education policies relating to nutrition, education, health, and staff development.

Ability to: Develop leadership skills for clients through a process of advice, consultation, and cooperation; exercise creativity in the formulation and development of nutrition education programs; apply educational policy; communicate effectively; analyze situations accurately and take appropriate action; plan, organize, and coordinate a variety of activities; develop and prepare curricular and instructional materials; establish effective working relations with all persons; exercise tact, resourcefulness, and prudent judgment; conduct successful classes, and workshops; and do complex research and analytical studies.

Nutrition Education Consultant

Knowledge of: All of the above, and nutrition education in California's public and private school systems; school administrative practices; the functions of schools, districts, county offices of education, and private agencies related to education in general and nutrition education in particular; the Department of Education's functions, rules, and regulations, especially as related to nutrition education.

Ability to: All of the above, and assume leadership and exercise creativity in the administration and evaluation of nutrition education programs; interpret policy; and develop well-informed policy recommendations.

Nutrition Education Administrator

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles of employee development and supervision; the organization of the California Department of Education; the Department of Education's mission, goals, programs, and policies; a supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring, employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment free of discrimination and harassment; a supervisor's role in the labor relations program and the processes available to meet program objectives.

Ability to: All of the above, and assume innovative leadership in formulating, promoting, and directing a statewide program; maintain liaison with officials of educational, governmental, and private organizations and groups; effectively and efficiently manage a staff and program within the resources provided; review and edit written documents; establish and maintain project and departmental priorities; work effectively with administrative personnel in the Department and other governmental agencies; supervise subordinate staff; and effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.

Special Personal Requirement

All Levels:

Willingness to travel throughout the State.

Class History