Nutrition Program Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Description

Job Overview

The Nutrition Services Manager manages Nutrition Services Coordinators and Nutrition Program Aides in all aspects of food and nutrition services and CACFP compliance throughout AVANCE-San Antonio programs. This position oversees menu preparation and food procurement; preparing and monitoring budgets; ensuring compliance with Head Start and Parent-Child Education (PCEP) and state regulations, including the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP); developing nutrition training and communications for use at the Early/Head Start/PCEP centers; establishing and maintaining collaborations with other community nutrition agencies; and developing and monitoring related policies and procedures. As a member of management, participates in program planning, direction, and monitoring to ensure goal accomplishment.

Job Responsibilities

• Promotes and models the organization's Core Values.
• Ensures nutrition components are in full compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, State Licensing Regulations, Texas Rising Star (TRS), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Individual Services Plan (ISP)/Policies and Procedures.
• Oversight and Monitoring
• Manages and provides oversight for the department staff to include Nutrition Services Coordinators and Nutrition Program Aides to ensure program compliance.  
• Develops and executes qualitative and quantitative food service monitoring systems. 
• Gathers, reviews, and audits food service documentation to assure compliance with all regulations.
• Provides oversight for regular scheduling of on-site monitoring visits to all delegates to assure adherence with all CACFP, state and local licensing regulations, and ensures that corrective actions are completed in a timely manner.
• Assesses, plans, implements, monitors, and evaluates the quality and effectiveness of nutrition and food services administered to children and families by direct reports and program staff. Ensures that food preparation and service meet the highest standard of quality throughout AVANCE.
• Manages and reviews budgets and ongoing food-related expenses at each center.
• Nutritional Support in area of Food Service:
• Implements approved menus for programs and special diets menus as recommended by a Registered Dietitian and is responsible for all Special Diets and/or provides guidance and supervision as needed related to Special Diets (Medical Documentation, Special Diet purchases, Special Diet menu, etc.). 
• Links families to nutritional resources throughout the community that will address the nutritional needs of the family.
• Oversees the Nutrition Services Coordinators to ensure decisions regarding meal substitutions are appropriate and in compliance with all regulations. 
• Monitors the acceptance of menu items by children in the program and makes recommendations for menu changes accordingly.
• Utilizes menu ideas from Head Start and PCEP families to ensure that the menu is reflective of local culture and that the menu items are familiar to children.
• Assures that all classrooms have up-to-date food allergy lists that include food substitutions for children with special diets.
• Assures that all staff, to include food prep staff, understand children's dietary restrictions and training is provided, as necessary.  
• Additional Nutrition Services/Support
• Integrates knowledge of evidence-based practices to promote child and family health and wellness to build a health and nutrition program that: -Helps staff and families understand the relationship between child and family health and nutrition and children's school readiness outcomes. -Develops strategies to address the health disparities in low-income communities, particularly related to common chronic health conditions such as obesity and low weight.
• Provides oversight of the Nutrition Services Coordinators in completing and following up on yearly nutrition needs for all children in the program, including providing guidance, support, and follow-up to develop Individual Dietary Plans for children with special nutritional needs.
• Supports Family Advocates with individualized support (goal setting) to families of children with significant nutritional needs, including regular care conferences, care coordination and family education. 
• Supports the Health staff in developing community partnerships to assure that children and families preventive health and nutrition treatment needs are met; and secures relationships for families to providers who will support their children's long-term health and well-being.
• Coordinates with Service area teams to develop and implement health and wellness strategies to reduce incidence of childhood obesity, implementing program's best practices.
• Coordinates with Family Engagement, Health, Early Learning, and Mental Health and Disabilities teams to maintain nutrition requirements documentation and follow up.
• Planning
• Manages monthly food service calls with Nutrition Services Coordinators and Nutrition Program Aide to discuss and move forward network-wide planning and execution of new initiatives.
• Develops local training, technical assistance, and support plans in collaboration with other leadership team members.
• Develops local self-assessment and quality improvement plans.
• Manages and provides oversight of Nutrition Services Coordinators regarding food services including determining food service vendors, negotiating food service contracts, clarifying relevant state CACFP and licensing regulations, etc.
• Tailors the provision of nutrition and food services to the variety of program options based on community need, including Head Start, Early Head Start, PCEP, and home-based programs.
• Training and Technical Assistance
• Identifies local and network-wide training and technical assistance needs and develops training workshops to build staff capacity, ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills to execute all aspects of food services in accordance with CACFP, state licensing and AVANCE'S policies and procedures.
• Conducts regularly agreed upon on-site training and technical assistance visits to maintain staff skills.
• Assists with on-the-job training for new hires, such as the Nutrition Services Coordinators and Nutrition Program Aide.
• Participates in assigned meetings, events, and training as required. 
• Performs other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education

Required:  

•  Bachelors in Dietetics or related field. 

Preferred:

• Registered Dietician or Licensed Nutritionist (per state requirements).

Work Experience

Required: 

• 3-5 years of Food Service experience.
• Experience in USDA Food Programs strongly preferred. 
• Previous Head Start experience preferred.

Additional Skills Required

• Advanced skills using Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Excellent presentation, writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills that reflect ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail.
• Highly resourceful team player, with the ability to be extremely effective independently and manage numerous simultaneous projects.
• Forward-looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.
• Strong analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to handle stressful and sensitive situations in a professional manner with tact and discretion, all while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Team building and customer service oriented.
• Spanish fluency is helpful, but not required.
• Ability to travel to various training sites; dependable transportation required daily with a valid driver's license, a clean driving record (subject to annual MVR check and policy), current auto liability insurance and be bondable by AVANCE, San Antonio, Inc. 

Disclaimer(s)

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. Nothing in this job description forms or is intended to form a contract of employment. Neither shall the content in this job description be interpreted to conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way, the "at will" employment status of AVANCE San Antonio employees. Employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Travel

Travel required locally or long-distance up to 50% of the time for work-related meetings and functions.

Equipment

Computer, computer software programs and peripherals, resource materials and equipment, copier, fax, and other equipment applicable to the position.  

Working Conditions

Mental and Physical Demands

General office and sedentary. Regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Use of personal computing equipment.  

Normal to heavy track in and out of service area. 

May work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Maintain emotional control under stress; work with interruptions and deadlines; walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; occasional: lifting/carrying, pulling/pushing 10-30 pounds. Work evenings and weekends as needed.

Environmental Factors

Occasional exposure to biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.). Occasional exposure to weather related conditions when working in an outside environment/neighborhoods and events. 

ADA/ADAAA Statement

AVANCE is committed to equal opportunity in employment for persons with disabilities and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, and any other applicable state and federal laws. Accordingly, AVANCE does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities regarding application, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training or other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. Moreover, it is AVANCE's policy to provide reasonable accommodations in employment to qualified individuals with disabilities so that they can perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of AVANCE's business or would change the essential functions of the position. Retaliation against an individual with a disability for utilizing this policy or seeking a reasonable accommodation is prohibited. Individuals with any questions or requests for accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department. 

EEO/AAP Statement

AVANCE values diversity and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. It is also our goal to employ and advance in employment women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, and to treat qualified individuals without discrimination on the basis of their physical or mental disability or veteran status.