School Nutrition Eligibility Specialist / Payroll Coordinator

Employment Information

Length of Position: Permanent

Type of Benefits: Full

Months per Year: 12

Number of Hours per Week: 40

Number of Days per Week: 5

State Salary Schedule

Department: School Nutrition

Reports To: School Nutrition Director

Position Summary

The Eligibility Specialist / Payroll Coordinator supports the financial, operational, and regulatory functions of the School Nutrition Department. This position administers student meal eligibility programs, coordinates payroll and personnel records for more than 75 School Nutrition employees, assists with procurement activities, maintains federal and state compliance documentation, and provides administrative support for departmental operations.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Office Administration, Public Administration, or a related field preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in payroll, purchasing, accounting, school administration, school nutrition programs, or related administrative functions preferred.
• Experience with USDA School Nutrition Programs and procurement procedures preferred.
• Knowledge of USDA School Nutrition Program regulations and meal eligibility requirements.
• Knowledge of payroll, accounting, procurement, and recordkeeping practices.
• Proficiency with LINQ software and Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information.

Essential Responsibilities

• Process and review meal benefit applications for accuracy and completeness.
• Determine eligibility for free and reduced-price meal benefits in accordance with USDA and NC DPI regulations.
• Manage Direct Certification imports, eligibility matching, and annual verification activities.
• Maintain student eligibility records within LINQ and other approved software systems.
• Assist with CEP data collection, reporting, and documentation.
• Coordinate payroll processing and recordkeeping for more than 75 School Nutrition employees.
• Review, verify, and reconcile employee timesheets, leave records, supplements, and payroll documentation.
• Assist with procurement activities in accordance with federal, state, and local purchasing regulations.
• Manage approved micro-purchases and maintain required procurement documentation.
• Prepare bid specifications, requests for quotes, requests for proposals, and vendor communications.
• Maintain procurement records and support Administrative Reviews, audits, and monitoring activities.
• Assist with budget tracking, expenditure monitoring, and financial recordkeeping.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the School Nutrition Director.

Compliance & Accountability

Ensure compliance with USDA, NCDPI, and district regulations governing School Nutrition Programs.

Maintain accurate records of eligibility, payroll, procurement, and personnel.

Physical and Cognitive Requirements

Work involves office responsibilities and occasional travel to school sites. Requires extensive computer use, data entry, recordkeeping, and communication with employees, vendors, parents, and administrators. Position requires attention to detail, accuracy, confidentiality, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees for this job.