The Child Care and Development Food & Nutrition Program Specialist implements and oversees the Food Program for Child Development Centers (CDC). This position ensures compliance with federal, state, and local nutrition standards, promotes healthy eating habits, and provides support and training to child care staff.
Job Duties:ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Assists with planning new CDC kitchens and conducts pre-approval visits according to requirements.
• Travels to all Child Development Centers to review food program records and kitchen operations regularly and conducts a minimum of 3 monitoring visits for each Center during varying meal services.
• Audits center according to food program monitoring requirements and ensures recordkeeping is up to date during each Center visit.
• Ensures food program Center polices are up to date, followed and updated as necessary.
• Provides on-site technical assistance to all staff as needed.
• Trains food service personnel and teaching staff in the area of nutrition and food program requirements, including annual training requirements. for key staff members.
• Maintains adequate monitoring records for each Center.
• Inputs all food program claim information for each Center and compiles for monthly claim submission.
• Responsible for reviewing information submitted into the food program data system for accuracy and compliance.
• Works with Child Care & Development Finance Supervisor and Budget Analyst to ensure payments are disbursed and reconciled within each Center.
• Reviews monthly menus for each Center to ensure they meet nutritional guidelines and food program reimbursement guidelines.
• Serves as primary contact for all food program audits.
• Performs other duties, tasks, and services consistent with this position as assigned.
LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY
• This position does not directly supervise any individuals.
• Assignments received in broad terms with timelines and objectives set.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Associate’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, public health, related field or equivalent combination of education and experience in lieu of degree.
• Two (2) years of experience working with child nutrition programs.
COMPETENCIES
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Ability to build strong working relationships
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Knowledge of CACFP policies and regulations
• Analytical mindset & problem-solving skills
• Ability to lead, mentor, and coach others
• Basic math and accounting skills
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
• Must possess a valid driver's license with a driving history verified through a motor vehicle report that meets requirements for Cherokee Nation underwriting rating. Employee will be required to travel to all Child Care and Development Centers throughout the Cherokee Nation reservation.
• Possess or ability to obtain a valid Oklahoma food handler’s permit within 30 of hire and maintain throughout employment.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• The employee must not be and will not be under sanction by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) or by the General Services Administration (GSA) or listed on the OIG's Cumulative Sanction Report, or the GSA's List of Excluded Providers, or listed on the OIG's List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
• Must meet and maintain pre-employment and periodic background investigation and adjudication for child care.