TDA - FND - Compliance Review Monitor - USDA (Auditors/Contract Monitors) (57570)

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. 

Telework Option: TDA does not offer telework, and all employees are required to be physically present for work. The agency's core business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TDA also provides limited customer service between 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m.

Location: This position will report to one of the following TDA locations: Austin (HQ), Houston, San Antonio, or Fort Worth, TX. This position will work across the state of Texas, as needed. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO: The Compliance Review Monitor will conduct on-site and off-site compliance monitoring reviews of contracting entities (CEs) operating the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), Farmers Market Nutrition Programs (FMNP), Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), and Contracted Warehouse administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to determine compliance with federal and state regulations. You will serve as a subject matter expert for the programs and provide complex technical assistance and collaborative compliance to CEs regarding the administration of federal nutrition program regulations and their implementation in Texas. You will work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Conduct administrative reviews according to all federal and state rules and regulations for F&N-administered nutrition programs.

Monitor and evaluate compliance, including internal control systems, financial viability, accountability, and capability by completing administrative and on-site reviews to determine compliance with federal and state regulations and issue corrective action in accordance with agency policy.

Conduct reviews and inventory counts at assigned warehouses to determine compliance with all federal and state rules and regulations and issue corrective action in accordance with agency policy.

Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to provide complex technical assistance and guidance to TEFAP, CSFP, SFMNP, and FMNP CEs, and other program participants.

Prepare monthly and annual reports for the SFMNP, FMNP, TEFAP, and CSFP, and compile data for Public Information Requests and state legislative requests.

Manage and track performance threshold data for CSFP, FMNP, and SFMNP to ensure regulatory minimums are met.

Participate in workgroups, attend conferences, and presentations.

Communicate with management chain the results from administrative reviews, noting significant trends, problem areas, or potentially controversial circumstances.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.

To be considered for the position, applicants must submit a State of Texas Application through CAPPS or WIT - experience listed on the CAPPS application must state how each of the following qualifications are met:

Bachelor's Degree (One year work experience related to the primary duties may substitute for one year of college.)

Two (2) years of work experience conducting compliance reviews for federal, state, or local programs.

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

Valid Texas driver's license and an acceptable driving record.

Work experience conducting Administrative Reviews in child nutrition.

Work experience with the Food Distribution Programs administered by TDA F&N.

Work experience conducting Administrative Reviews in child nutrition.
 

Knowledge of federally funded child nutrition programs, rules, and regulations; of compliance and contract monitoring; of accounting principles and in risk management practices; and of statistical concepts, methods, and models

Skill in critical analytical thinking; in providing excellent customer service to both internal and external customers; in the use of a computer and applicable software; in conducting data searches and evaluating large amounts of data; in preparing concise and accurate reports; and in preparing recommendations.

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.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions: Requires working in a 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% travel. Must be able to complete individual travel, as well as traveling with a group, for assignments. Must be able to work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed.

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:

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.\

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. 

H-1B Visa Sponsorship 

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Background Checks

A criminal conviction records check is required for applicants who are selected for a position.

*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.

Foreign Credentials

Upload an evaluation of your coursework if you have obtained a degree(s) from a school outside of the United States; otherwise, we cannot give you credit for your degree. Some organizations that provide evaluation services are:

Foreign Credential Services of America

1910 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757-2411
Phone: 512-459-8428

SpanTran: The Evaluation Company

2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 451 Houston, TX 77057
Phone: 713-266-8805

Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.

P.O. Box 9203 College Station, TX 77842
Phone: 512-528-0908

Apply online via CAPPS Careers. Applicants applying through Work In Texas (WIT) will be required to complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in CAPPS Careers to be considered for the position. 

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview. 

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through theCAPPS Careers Section, you may check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting "My Job Applications." Note: applicants who apply through Work In Texas, to be considered for the position, you must complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in CAPPS Careers. 

Reasonable Accommodations: If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423. Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

Military 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) 463-7423 for assistance.

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for  for assistance in 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, and Investigation MOS Codes.