Dietary Tech

Job Summary

The Dietary Tech will plan and prepare daily meals and snacks for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years of age (and 6-12 years of age when there is a summer program) in accordance with federal and state Food Program guidelines. The Dietary Tech will maintain all appropriate documentation required for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and ensure the kitchen meets the requirements of all regulatory agencies, including minimum licensing and the Arkansas Department of Health.

Summary of essential job function

• Adhere to all policies and procedures outlined in the Arkids Pediatric Day Centers’ Employee Handbook and Management and Medical Policies and Procedures Manuals
• Familiar with requirements set forth by regulatory agencies including Arkansas Minimum Licensing, Division of Provider Services & Quality Assurance (DPSQA), Arkansas Health Department, etc.
• Maintain all documentation required by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) & ensure that all documentation is timely and accurate
• Turn in all required monthly CACFP documents to the Center Director no later than the Friday of the first full week of the new month, including copies to keep at the Center
• Create a monthly meal calendar and turns it into the Center Director by the 3rd week of the month (for the next month)
• Prepare breakfast, lunch, and a minimum of one snack daily
• Prepare extra food outside of the scheduled meal and snack times, as needed (e.g. a child arrives late and misses lunch)
• Ensure the kitchen is cleaned and sanitized daily and work areas are in compliances with all auditing regulations
• Ensure refrigerator/freezer cleaning checklists are filled out weekly
• Ensure the milk cooler is clean with no spills or expired beverages
• Prepare special food/meals for patients with allergies or special dietary needs, as evidenced by a written prescription from their Primary Care Physician
• Deliver meals to the classrooms at the designated times, ensuring serving sizes meet food program regulations
• Wash all dishes and/or utensils used during food preparation, meal dishes, and cups/sippy cups between each meal
• Keep accurate temperature logs on refrigerator(s) in the kitchen and break room daily
• Ensure the Daily Kitchen Schedule is posted
• Ensure thermometer calibration logs are filled out weekly
• Ensure hot/cold food temperature logs are filled out daily
• Ensure the Allergy List posted in the kitchen is current
• Ensure employee food items are not in the refrigerators, freezers, or coolers used to store patient food
• Place weekly, or bi-weekly food orders
• Stock orders when received, labelling all food items with date received before stocking
• Pick up necessary food or prep items from the local grocery stores if instructed by the Center Director
• Wear hair net any time food is being prepared and ensures that any staff entering the kitchen during preparation of food is also wearing a hair net
• Wash hands every time they enter the kitchen, before food preparation, and when obviously soiled
• Wear gloves any time handling food
• Turn in any miscellaneous purchase order requests to the Center Director by the 3rd week of the month (to purchase for the next month)
• Maintain a good working relationship with the contacts at Crowley’s Ridge Development Council (CRDC) and the chosen food and milk vendors
• Train classroom staff on meal requirements and the CACFP, as needed
• Train new kitchen staff, as needed
• Assist in cleaning the Center as needed
• Other duties as assigned (e.g. cover classroom lunch breaks or Administrative Assistant lunch breaks, unloading/loading vans, Center Inspections)

Minimum requirements

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• At least 1 year of dietary or kitchen experience preferred
• Current ServSafe Certification or ability to obtain
• Clear Criminal Record Check, Arkansas Child & Adult Maltreatment Regulatory Checks, FBI Regulatory Check, including National Sex Offender Registry
• Pass a drug screen (upon hire, annually, and/or randomly)

Abilities Required

• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and supervisors
• Ability to work with children
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a very busy environment
• Ability to carry out instructions
• Ability to clean efficiently and timely
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs
• Ability to bend, stoop, stand, walk, pull, and reach for several hours per day

*Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Life Insurance, other supplemental insurances, 401K*