Function:
Plan and implement child nutrition services and ensure development of positive food attitudes and habits that help parents and staff understand the role of nutrition in the child’s mental, physical, and social development. Work directly with a registered dietician or nutritionist to develop meals to ensure compliance with the United States Department of Agriculture/Child and Adult Care Food Program (USDA/CACFP) standards and Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and other requirements for food services.
Qualifications:
Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in food sciences, nutrition, or human services and/or child development related field and ability to become certified as a CPR, First Aid, and Pediatric First Aid Instructor. And have at least five years of experience in meal planning, child health and nutrition and/or child development and education, and experience working with economically disadvantaged children and families.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
• Obtain and calculate lunch count from centers.
• Develop, plan, and distribute menus that provide appropriate quantity, quality, variety, and diversity of foods for children birth to five years of age.
• Help identify nutritional needs of children and families and make necessary referrals.
• Interpret nutrition assessment data and assess the nutritional status of children from available health records, dietary history, and growth charts.
• Arrange for group or individual counseling and/or training for parents and staff as needed on meeting special nutritional needs or feeding problems. Promote good nutrition habits among children and families in general.
• Demonstrate knowledge of local, State and Federal childcare licensing and sanitary standards and assure program compliance.
• Conduct preservice and in-service training on nutrition information and education for staff and parents.
• Facilitate CPR, First Aid, and Pediatric First Aid classes.
• Provide resource materials and methods to teaching staff for the integration of food related activities into the curriculum.
• Organize an appropriate purchasing, record keeping and reporting system for monitoring nutrition supplies.
• Arrange for delivery of milk to centers.
• Collaborate with the Resource Assistant in ordering supplies and snack foods and with distribution to center sites.
• Interpret and carry out CACFP, ACF, and Head Start nutrition standards and policies.
• Accurately assess and complete all mandated reports for state/federal funding sources and other agencies that require, food reviews and statistical data and/or reports.
• Prepare application package for CACFP annually and maintain necessary records monthly to receive reimbursement for foods served to children enrolled in the program.
• Assist in implementing nutrition education in the classroom.
• Participate in staff development training, workshops, and conferences.
• Assist with health screenings and any other health-related needs.
• Annually update the nutrition procedures and work plan to ensure that program goals and objectives are accomplished.
• Prepare a monthly narrative and statistical report for the Health Services Manager.
• Conduct an annual self-assessment and engage in ongoing assessment of the quality of services provided.
• Work cooperatively with agency staff and the public to foster coordinated and integrated program operations.
• Interpret WAGES mission, programs, Head Start goals, objectives, and concepts.
• Supervise Nutrition Assistant in caring out nutrition related services for staff, children and families including activities required within the nutrition service area.
• Other job-related duties assigned by the Health Services Manager.
Performance Dimensions:
• Maintain and adhere to program policies and procedures.
• Exhibit good interpersonal skills with staff, families, vendors, and community partners.
• Demonstrate productivity and efficiency with reporting data.
• Communicate on a professional level, with an emphasis on excellent written and verbal skills.
• Statistical reporting skills, ability to multitask, effective time management and organizational management skills, and effective interpersonal skills.
Physical, Mental and/or Visual Demands
• Must be able to sit and stand for extended periods of time throughout the day.
• Must be able to lift up to 35 lbs.
• Must be able to bend and stoop.
• Must be able to walk extended periods throughout the day for monitoring.
• Mental and visual concentration is required for preparing and analyzing data using a computer.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license.
Acknowledgment:
This position description describes the general nature and level of work performed by the individual assigned to this position and should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It does not state or imply these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the position. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties. All requirements are subject to change and to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals
with a disability.