Job Specification Details

Leadership position within the State Unit on Aging (SUA), which is part of the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (DAIL). Supervises and oversees two SUA staff and their activities. The SUA is charged with promoting, overseeing and implementing the activities governed by the federal Older Americans Act (OAA), including those activities related to strengthening the aging network and for implementing a range of grants related to the core state unit mission to support older Vermonters and family caregivers to live as independently as possible and to lead meaningful lives, with dignity and respect, maintaining their connections to family and the community. This position involves supervision and oversight of the SUA's operations team—including administrative, planning, and coordinating functions—as well as monitoring and oversight of OAA nutrition programs and health promotion and disease prevention programs. Duties include the development and implementation of new initiatives and programs, coordination with and assistance to regional organizations and monitoring of program effectiveness in improving and enhancing service delivery and the quality of life of older Vermonters. Work is performed under the general supervision of the State Unit on Aging Director. All employees of the Agency of Human Services perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships, and results orientation. 

Leads, oversees, and provides supervision for SUA operations team and activities. Develops and implements new initiatives to enhance service delivery and improve quality of life for older Vermonters. Assists in the development of the State Plan on Aging. Tracks the SUA’s progress towards goals outlined in the State Plan on Aging and develops course correction action plans as needed. Contributes to policy and procedure development related to OAA programs implementation.  Monitors for, reviews and recommends Federal Grant and other opportunities. Prepares legislative talking points and other informational/communication materials as requested. Oversees and monitors various State and Federal food and nutrition programs, including the OAA Nutrition Services Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) and Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL) Home Delivered Meals Program to ensure compliance with federal regulations and state policies and procedures. Meets with Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Nutrition Program Directors to provide feedback and consultation on AAA nutrition program practices. Manages grant agreements with community partners for the delivery of State and Federal nutrition programs.  Acts as nutrition program liaison with community, state, and federal partners.  Develops and maintains CSFP and SFMNP State Plans and submits required reporting to State and Federal partners.  Oversees developing and interpreting nutrition service delivery policies, procedures, and protocols. Regularly communicates with community partners to share evidence-based strategies for healthy aging and nutrition. Interprets and disseminates current scientific information regarding food, nutrition, diet, and health to community partners.  Provides technical assistance on nutrition to aging services community partners.  Provides leadership, direction, and quality oversight for nutrition programs. Provides training on nutrition issues and programs.  Coordinates and collaborates on nutrition education and food access/resources for older adults.

Duties are performed remotely (telework) and in a standard office setting. Meetings with outside agencies will require travel, for which use of state fleet vehicles is encouraged, but private means of transportation must be available. Some pressures from overlapping reporting deadlines and providing quality oversight of programs may be anticipated. Some work outside of normal office hours may be required.

Knowledge of aging in relation to human services and social service delivery systems for older adults.

Knowledge of grant writing and grants management preferred but not required.

Ability to maintain good working relationships with community providers and staff of state and federal agencies to advance planning, development, and implementation of services.

Ability to develop consensus on issues, policies and programs where strong differences of opinion exist.

Ability to prepare detailed analyses of problem situations and implement practical and attainable solutions.

Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and databases is required.

Advanced level of knowledge of current scientific information regarding aging, nutrition, diet, and health.

Ability to act on own initiative and exercise a considerable amount of independent judgment and analytical and problem-solving skills.

Program planning, administration, implementation, and evaluation skills.

Ability to interpret health and social data. 

Ability to articulate program goals and policies to varied audiences including older adults, health care providers, and community agencies.

Demonstrated leadership and decision-making capabilities or skills.

Knowledge of community-based program development and delivery.

Ability to use research/ evaluation principles and procedures.

Knowledge of best practices/evidence-based services in nutrition.

Ability to use population specific strategies.

Ability to motivate/involve others and supervise effectively.

Ability to think creatively to propose new strategies for accomplishing assigned tasks.

Ability to think systematically, see connections, link programs and systems.

Ability to provide leadership and accountability within the framework of the four key practices of the Agency of Human Services: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

RD or RDN required

Master's degree in nutrition, nutritional sciences, community nutrition, clinical nutrition, dietetics, public health nutrition, or public health AND three (3) years of professional experience in public health nutrition, community health nutrition, or public health including one (1) year or more at a supervisory level OR leading a group or team.

OR

Bachelor's degree in nutrition, nutritional sciences, community nutrition, clinical nutrition, dietetics, public health nutrition, or public health AND five (5) years or more of professional experience in public health nutrition, community health nutrition, or public health including one (1) year or more at a supervisory level OR leading a group or team.

Experience in aging/older populations, mental health, and/or disability programs or services

Experience in providing direct service.

Experience in research.

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.