Nutrition Coordinator

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsible for support and coordination of food preparation and delivery. Ensures appropriate delivery of nutrition services within the Head Start/Early Head Start program. Provides support of Center Aides and/or Dietary Aides and/or Dietary Preparation Specialists. Support functions for the Senior Health Services Supervisor.

Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm

Please apply online at www.youthrivefl.org

Only completed and signed applications will be considered.

Full Time Position- Benefits Eligible: Vacation, Sick, PTO, Employer paid health benefits, Vision & Dental Plans, 403B retirement, 14 company paid holidays, Pet Insurance, Employer Paid Basic $30,000 Life Insurance Policy, Employer Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTD) and Employer Paid Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D). Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualified Employer.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assures a nutritional assessment is conducted for each child through the use of screenings, interviews, and other documentation. Collaborates with parents of children with identified nutritional concerns to develop a written Food Allergy and Diet Concern Plan. Records and maintains files for each child with nutrition-related conditions and monitors services for follow-up. Documents all aspects of this process in ChildPlus.
• Coordinates with other service areas in planning and implementing response to individual nutrition needs of children. Coordinates with all service areas in working with parents to achieve nutritional goals for children.
• Upon receipt of nutrition referrals, collaborate with contracted Registered Dietitian to determine follow up and assure child's needs are met. Processes transportation vouchers and payment of services if necessary.
• Implements and monitors adherence of policies for nutrition services. Monitors classrooms for USDA/CCFP compliance.
• Participates in early and ongoing screenings and clearance of health files.
• Collaborates with contracted Nutrition Consultant, Registered Dietitian with contracted meal providers, WIC Registered Dietician, and CCFP Program Specialist, as needed, to ensure provision of quality nutrition services.
• Reviews menus for USDA/CCFP compliance and assures menus are implemented by the contracted meal providers as documented.
• Assures foods purchased from contracted vendors meet the USDA/CCFP requirements.
• Conducts periodic milk tests on Head Start self-prep kitchens to assure appropriate portion sizes of milk are being served to children.
• Collect, review and maintain files of daily meals served. Submit accurate reports to Senior Health Services Supervisor and Comptroller for submission to USDA/CCFP.
• Supports the Senior Health Services Supervisor in the oversight of the USDA/CCFP requirements. Attends appropriate training for USDA/CCFP compliance and disseminate information through an annual training.
• Supports dietary staff to assure compliance with rules, regulations, and standard operating procedures of regulating agencies.
• Provides training and technical assistance to teaching staff to assure family style dining is implemented. Conducts classroom observations, models strategies and provides individual training to classroom staff as necessary.
• Provides education on healthy nutrition topics for staff, parents and children.
• Assists in the development, implementation and monitoring of health policies, standard operating procedures, work plans and administrative direction.
• Serves as a member of the Health Services Advisory Committee and recruits professional members and parents as needed.
• Provides materials, publications, menus and videos for parent/staff. Provides articles for newsletters.
• Orders food and supplies related to meal preparation and arranges delivery to centers. Monitors related costs to assure compliance with budget. Coordinates with the Senior Health Services Supervisor on budget reviews and cost monitoring on a regular, monthly basis.
• Actively participates in center/classroom activities, parent meetings and annual parent activities as requested.
• Acts as an advocate and role model for Head Start families. Recruits children for the program.
• Assists in the development and implementation of the annual training plan, including pre-service, in-service, T/TA, and ongoing training requirements.
• Attends and actively participates in training programs, staff meetings, and other meeting/trainings.
• Maintains confidentiality in all aspects of client, staff and agency information.
• Maintains effective working interaction with coworkers and outside contacts that will enhance the operation of the Head Start program.
• Organizes and prioritizes all assignments as directed.
• Participates in community activities that enhance Head Start programs as directed.
• Participates in ongoing monitoring, Community Assessment and Self-Assessment and performs reasonable related functions.
• Participates in regular safety, storm and fire drills.
• Submits reports, documents, and files as directed.
• Uses and follows the policies/procedures of Head Start, federal, state and local regulations/laws, and federal regulations/laws including the Head Start Performance Standards, applicable transmittal notices, and other administrative orders/directions.
• Uses and follows the policies/procedures of You Thrive Florida, including but not limited to Personnel Policies, Occupational Health and Safety policies, payroll policies/practices, etc.
• Reports directly to the Senior Health Services Supervisor, works under their general direction, and communicates operational concerns, compliance issues, and program needs to support the effective delivery of nutrition services.
• Provides direct support to kitchen operations, including food preparation, meal service, and sanitation duties, as needed to ensure uninterrupted program services and compliance with all applicable regulations.

NON-ESSENTIAL/SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

Performs any additional duties as directed or assigned by supervisor, management staff, program director or You Thrive Florida management staff. This description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with the position.

JOB STANDARDS:

Education: Associate degree from an accredited college or university in Food Science, Nutrition Science, Public Health, Dietetics, or a related field required; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Experience: Minimum of 2-3 years of experience in nutrition services, child nutrition programs, Head Start, school nutrition, or a related field.

Licenses & Certifications: Certified Dietetic Technician, Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) preferred. Valid Florida driver's license and be insurable by Company's current carrier. Subject to Federal, State and Local legal requirements/background checks/clearance for working with children. Ability to obtain the DCF Food Service Manager Certification or ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification within 90 days of employment.

CRITICAL SKILLS, ABILITIES, & EXPERTISE:

Physical Requirements: These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Sitting, standing for long periods of time, use of fingers, arms, hands and legs and voice/talking are constant. Good eyesight (correctable) and hearing (correctable) are essential. Squatting, walking, handling, grasping, stretching/reaching, bending at the waist, driving and light lifting and/or carrying (up to 15lbs) are frequent. Pushing, pulling, kneeling, balancing, turning, feeling, medium lifting and/or carrying (up to 50lbs) are occasional.

Equipment: Standard operating kitchen equipment , computer, facsimile, copy machine, calculator, multi-line phone and other small office and instructional equipment, playground equipment, and vehicle.

Skills & Expertise: Ability to work with limited direction. Knowledge of organizational methods. Skills in completing work with a high degree of accuracy. Knowledge of food and nutrition and menu planning. Ability to evaluate programs and situations and make decisions for improvement. Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. Ability to establish effective working relationships with people, including coworkers, parents, children and community members. Ability to analyze and interpret data. Ability to use and operate a computer. Ability to work with children, including children with special needs. Knowledge of food and nutrition, menu planning, and nutritional counseling. Ability to maintain staff, child and parent confidentiality.

ENVIRONMENTAL JOB FACTORS:

Job Location: Primary location is the Head Start facilities in Hernando, Sumter and/or Volusia counties. Occasional travel to other counties.

Work Environment: While performing the responsibilities of the position, these work environment characteristics are representative of the environment the employee will encounter. Office environment and working alone and with others frequently. Working with office equipment is frequent. Occasionally outdoors and operates a vehicle.

Please see the link below to the new Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website. This site was implemented under the directive of HB 531 (2025). As part of these requirements, each specified agency must include a clear and conspicuous link to the webpage on its website and provide the link in all job vacancy advertisements and posts by the qualified entity.

https://info.flclearinghouse.com