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How much do child nutrition program jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for child nutrition program in the United States is $14.67, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $14.90 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Child Nutrition Program vs Child Nutrition Specialist?

AspectChild Nutrition ProgramChild Nutrition Specialist
CertificationsTypically requires food service or nutrition certificationsRequires similar certifications, often with additional nutrition credentials
Work EnvironmentProgram administration, planning, and compliance in schools or community settingsDirectly involved in nutrition education, meal planning, and client interaction
Employer & IndustrySchool districts, government agencies, community programsEducational institutions, health organizations, government agencies

The Child Nutrition Program focuses on managing and implementing nutrition services at an organizational level, ensuring compliance and program delivery. In contrast, the Child Nutrition Specialist often works directly with children or clients, providing nutrition education and personalized guidance. Both roles require similar certifications and operate within educational and community settings, but their primary responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a child nutrition program professional, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Child Nutrition Program role, you need a background in nutrition, food safety, and meal planning, often supported by relevant certifications or degrees such as a ServSafe certification or a degree in dietetics. Familiarity with nutrition analysis software, point-of-sale systems, and state/federal compliance tools is typically required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for managing menus, coordinating with staff, and ensuring regulatory adherence. These skills ensure the delivery of safe, nutritious meals to children while meeting all health and compliance standards.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in a child nutrition program, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Child Nutrition Programs often encounter challenges such as meeting strict regulatory guidelines, accommodating diverse dietary needs, and managing limited resources. Balancing menu planning to ensure nutritional value while adhering to budget constraints can be demanding. Effective communication with students, parents, and school staff is crucial to address concerns and promote healthy eating habits. Staying up to date with training and collaborating with nutritionists, food service workers, and administrators can help overcome these challenges and contribute to a supportive, efficient work environment.

What is a child nutrition program?

Child Nutrition Programs are federally funded initiatives in the United States designed to provide healthy meals and snacks to children in schools, childcare centers, and other institutions. Programs like the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program aim to ensure that children receive nutritious meals that meet specific dietary guidelines. These programs help promote healthy eating habits and support the overall well-being and academic success of children from low-income families.
More about Child Nutrition Program jobs
What cities are hiring for Child Nutrition Program jobs? Cities with the most Child Nutrition Program job openings:
What states have the most Child Nutrition Program jobs? States with the most job openings for Child Nutrition Program jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Child Nutrition Program jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Child Nutrition Program jobs are:
Child Nutrition Program jobs near you
Infographic showing various Child Nutrition Program job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $30,513 per year, or $14.7 per hour.

FY 26-27 DIRECTOR OF CHILD NUTRITION

Vaughn Next Century Learning Center

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$90K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

JOB TITLE: Director of Child Nutrition
STATUS: Full Time; Exempt
REPORTS TO: CEO
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Vaughn Next Century Learning Center ("Vaughn"), located in Pacoima, is a large urban public school within the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Since the early 1970s, low student achievement had been a pattern. In 1993, tired of being helpless and hopeless, Vaughn became the first conversion charter school in the nation and was authorized by LAUSD. The charter was renewed most recently in 2018. Vaughn has over 25 years of experience as a successful independent charter school serving the district's low-income students. This previously failing elementary public school is now a full-service, community-based, TK-12 charter school that assures all students are college/career ready, digitally literate, and globally competent.
In addition to its TK-12 program, Vaughn also operates a State Preschool Center that provides early childhood education services for preschool-aged children and their families. The preschool program offers a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate learning environment focused on school readiness, early literacy, language development, social-emotional growth, and family engagement. Through play-based and structured learning experiences, the program helps prepare children for a successful transition into kindergarten while supporting the needs of the surrounding community.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Director of Child Nutrition provides strategic leadership, management, and oversight of Vaughn Next Century Learning Center's Child Nutrition Program, ensuring that all students have access to nutritious, appealing, and compliant meals that support student health, wellness, and academic achievement. The Director is responsible for the administration of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), Universal Meals Program, and other federal, state, and local nutrition initiatives.
This position oversees all aspects of food service operations, including program compliance, budget development and management, menu planning, procurement, food safety, inventory control, staff supervision, training, and program evaluation. The Director works collaboratively with school leaders, families, vendors, government agencies, and community partners to maintain a high-quality nutrition program that is financially sustainable, operationally efficient, and responsive to student needs. The Director serves as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies and ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal requirements governing child nutrition programs.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Provides strategic leadership and oversight of Vaughn's Child Nutrition Program, ensuring high-quality meal service that supports student health, wellness, and academic success.
  • Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and requirements governing child nutrition programs, including USDA and California Department of Education regulations.
  • Oversees the day-to-day operations of the Child Nutrition Program, ensuring efficient meal service, staffing, scheduling, inventory management, and operational continuity across all program sites.
  • Plans, coordinates, and provides ongoing training and professional development opportunities to Child Nutrition staff to ensure compliance with USDA Professional Standards requirements, strengthen job performance, and support continuous program improvement.
  • Develops, implements, and monitors department goals, policies, procedures, and operational standards to promote program effectiveness and continuous improvement.
  • Oversees program budgets, financial performance, reimbursement claims, purchasing activities, and cost-control measures to ensure fiscal sustainability.
  • Directs menu planning and nutrition services to ensure meals are nutritious, appealing, cost-effective, and compliant with all meal pattern requirements.
  • Oversees procurement, inventory management, vendor relationships, and contract administration in accordance with applicable purchasing regulations.
  • Ensures food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards are consistently maintained throughout all food service operations.
  • Supervises, trains, evaluates, and supports Child Nutrition staff, fostering a positive, collaborative, and service-oriented work environment.
  • Oversees the use of nutrition management systems, point-of-sale systems, and program data to improve operational efficiency and accountability.
  • Leads preparation for audits, administrative reviews, monitoring visits, and corrective action processes.
  • Develops cost-effective menus that maintain and enhances nutrition integrity and meets all local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations
  • Collaborates with school leaders, families, government agencies, and community partners to promote participation in nutrition programs and support student wellness initiatives.
  • Prepares reports, presentations, and recommendations for executive leadership and the Board of Directors as requested.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS
Leadership & Management
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise, develop, and evaluate Child Nutrition staff while fostering a positive, collaborative, and customer-focused work environment.
  • Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and operational demands.

Financial & Operational Management
  • Experience managing budgets, controlling costs, overseeing procurement activities, and maintaining efficient food service operations.
  • Proficiency with nutrition management systems, point-of-sale (POS) systems, inventory controls, and meal accountability processes.

Regulatory Compliance
  • Knowledge of USDA Child Nutrition Programs, California Universal Meals requirements, federal procurement regulations, and food service compliance requirements.
  • Experience maintaining program records, preparing reimbursement claims, and supporting audits, reviews, and monitoring visits.

Food Service & Nutrition
  • Knowledge of nutrition standards, menu planning, food safety regulations, HACCP principles, sanitation practices, and dietary accommodation requirements.
  • Ability to develop meal programs that meet regulatory requirements while promoting student participation and satisfaction.
Communication & Collaboration
  • Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with students, families, staff, administrators, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
  • Ability to present information, analyze data, and provide recommendations to leadership and governance groups.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
  • Meet one of the education requirements below:
    • Bachelor's degree with major/concentration on food & nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family & consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, business, or related field; or
    • Bachelor's degree in any field and State-recognized certificate for school nutrition director; or
    • Bachelor's degree in any field and at least three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in school nutrition or food service management; or
    • Associate's degree with major/concentration in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family & consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, business administration, or related field and at least five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in school nutrition or food service management

In addition:
  • At least 8 hours of food safety training completed within the 5 years prior to start date
  • A minimum of three (3) years of supervisory or management experience overseeing food service operations and staff
  • Experience administering federally funded child nutrition programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP), preferred

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
  • $90,295.30 - $125,074.43
  • 220 Days per year
  • Eligible for competitive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
  • 100% employer covered life insurance
  • 100% employer covered long-term disability insurance
  • Access to Vaughn Perks, an employee benefits hub with access to discounts and services
  • 10 Sick Days per year (accrued on a per payroll basis)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Upon receiving an offer of employment:
  • Must pass a criminal background check (Live Scan) with the Department of Justice (DOJ)
  • Must provide a Tuberculosis skin test (Mantoux) clearance within 60 days of employment
  • Will be assigned mandated state training to be completed prior to the first day of employment

Vaughn Next Century Learning Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious creed, color, ethnic or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, pregnancy, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected basis under the law. Equal opportunity shall be provided to all employees and applicants in every aspect of personnel policy and practice. Vaughn does not discriminate against persons with disabilities who, with reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the job in question.

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