Food & Nutrition Review Team Lead

Food & Nutrition Review Team LeadThe 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.The Review Team Lead will perform advanced complex compliance analysis work. You will lead a team of reviewers conducting Administrative Reviews and Procurement Reviews (AR/PRs) across the state of Texas for Contracting Entities (CEs) participating in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Program(s) (CNP) administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) Food and Nutrition (F&N) Division to ensure program economy, efficiency, and effectiveness. Serve as a subject matter expert leading, guiding, and training other compliance review monitors, as needed. You will work under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.Ensure the evaluation of the CEs programmatic and financial performance for compliance with applicable program, financial and procurement management standards, including (but not limited to) the review of management operations, internal control systems and accounting records/systems, utilizing standard compliance audit/review standards, tools, procedures, and processes. This may include coordinating and/or leading the activities for follow-up reviews of CEs approved for participation in one or more of the TDA F&N administered CNPs ensuring all AR team members complete assigned tasks accurately and thoroughly and all reviews are conducted in adherence to all applicable federal and state rules and regulations.Ensure timely, accurate and thorough completion and review of all pre-review work including document gathering, file organization, historical assessment, and team coordination for the ARs/PRs.Ensure all corrective action plans (CAP) and all corrective action documentation (CAD) and close out processes are performed timely, completely, and accurately following established guidelines and policies.Prepare correspondence to inform CEs of findings/concerns based on the compliance AR results.Provide technical assistance for complying with program rules and regulations and recommendations for corrective action and all areas of the AR/PR, as appropriate.Foster collaboration between AR/PR team members by highlighting collaboration opportunities and consistently demonstrating collaborative behaviors.Keep the management chain informed of AR results, noting significant trends, problem areas, or potentially controversial circumstances.Evaluate and assess compliance AR results and make recommendations to hold CEs' reimbursement, place reimbursement claims into the validation process, and/or terminate CEs' contracts.Support and justify, in written and via verbal testimony, all appeals and hearings resulting from individual work performed on compliance AR/PRs.Follow all TDA policies and procedures.Perform other duties as assigned.Bachelor's degree. (One year work experience related to the essential duties may substitute for one year of college).Meeting requirements and performing assigned duties as specified on the Compliance Review Monitor job description for a minimum of three (3) years with a current evaluation meeting or exceeding expectations on all performance categories (score of 3.25) OR a minimum (4) years' experience conducting regulatory program compliance or financial compliance reviews including serving in a senior or lead role.Work experience in analyzing and preparing detailed technical reports and interpreting rules and regulations.Valid Texas driver's license and an acceptable driving record.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; 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 oversee and/or supervise the work of others; to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.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 40% travel. Must be able work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed.This position must reside in a location with a TDA office or must be able to commute to the assigned TDA physical location, as needed, for business purposes. The Food and Nutrition Division and the Community Operations section will manage this position. This workplace assignment is subject to change per the agency's business needs.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.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:Retirement Plan - Paid Group Health & Life Insurance for employeesPaid Holidays - Paid Vacation LeavePaid Sick Leave - Longevity PayDental - VisionDependent Optional Life Insurance - Voluntary AD&D InsuranceDependent Health & Life Insurance - Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts