Child Nutrition Specialist

Location: Child Nutrition Department
Reports To: Deputy Director
FLSA Status: Exempt
Pay Grade: Contingent upon ESC Region 15 Salary Schedule
** Position will remain posted until filled**

Mission: Education Service Center Region 15 is dedicated to excellence in education through leadership, partnership, and service.

Position Purpose: This position reports to the Deputy Director and is responsible for the efficient and effective coordination of all Child Nutrition activities related to all phases of implementation of these programs including: professional development, technical assistance, and duties/responsibilities as outlined by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) in order to meet program compliance with state and federal regulations.

Essential Functions:

• Program Knowledge and Understanding: Exhibit deep program knowledge with regard to compliance with all state and federal regulations governing the operation of the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Summer Feeding Programs. Stay current and up-to-date on the most effective practices, skills and strategies that enhance knowledge and transfer of learning.
• Financial Management: Comply with all financial requirements, regulations and procedures; ensuring accuracy in the procurement and expense process. Assist in the development, implementation, administration and management of funds to ensure resources are used appropriately and are extensively regulated.
• Partnership, Support and Coaching: Design, deliver and facilitate program-specific, as well as, systemic best practice (e.g., campus-wide/LEA-wide) job-embedded professional development, including: 1. Whole-group trainings that build a shared understanding of skills, practices, or systems and include opportunities for practice. 2. Support for participants implementing a new skill, practice, or system within their context, including co-planning, observation, and real-time feedback. 3. One-on-one coaching sessions that identify participant successes and develop their capacity to improve high-leverage areas of growth.
• Culture & Growth: Contribute to maintaining and improving the culture of the ESC through customer service, respect for confidentiality, displaying self-initiative, and modeling a growth mindset through self-reflection and feedback reception.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Work directly with area food service directors to insure compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Accountable for both federal and local budgets covering departmental administrative costs.
• Resolve conflict involving food service officials and federal and state agencies.
• Make decisions on training opportunities and consultants for classes; contracts for Contracting Entities Menu Analysis evaluations during the Administrative Review year on required contracting entities and reports to TEA and USDA.
• Assist CE’s in completing Corrective Action Plans for TDA.
• Assist CE’s in writing job descriptions and determining personnel requirements.
• Extensive contacts externally with Superintendents, Food Service Directors and Business Office staff regarding compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Work with outside agencies such as Texas Department of Health, Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Dairy MAX, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Food Manufacturers and Vendors, TEA, Regional Service Centers, and USDA.
• Work internally to support services and program areas such as Technology, Distance Learning, Media, Equity, Health and Wellness, Business and Finance, Head start, Early Childhood, and Purchasing.
• Provide technical assistance to all contracting entities in all areas of the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Summer feeding programs.
• Provide individualized and group training to food services personnel within and outside the region.
• Review and evaluate LEAs Free and Reduced Price Meal Policy Statement and Amendments and the School Breakfast and Lunch Agreements and Renewals.
• Design and facilitate summer workshops/trainings for school food service.
• Design and facilitate workshops across the state during the summer.
• Provide support to clients in ESC Region 15 in the form of technical assistance and modeling to ensure their comprehension and effective implementation of initiatives.
• Participate in compliance monitoring as required by TDA and USDA.
• Conduct and oversee a nutritional analysis evaluation during the school year.
• Complete in-office paperwork, monitoring, filing, and organization for TDA's required audit process for menu plans.
• Participate in professional growth activities.
• Administer the Child Nutrition Program as set forth by the Contract with the Food and Nutrition Division of the Texas Department of Agriculture each federal fiscal year.
• Support the mission, goals, and objectives of the ESC strategic plan.
• Incorporate appropriate technology in daily work, and exhibits continual growth in technologies as outlined by supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Deputy Director and Executive Director.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Present strong communication skills, both written and oral needed
• A strong person who can work with a variety of learning styles and works well with others
• Clear and valid Texas driver’s license
• Ability to conduct on-site inspections of food service facilities LEA-wide
• Ability to manage budget and personnel
• Ability to implement policy and procedures and interpret data
• Must be knowledgeable in operating computers
• Knowledge of the food service environment

Education/Certification: Bachelor’s Degree in preferred area of study:- Institutional Management- Nutrition- Family and Consumer Science- Public Health- Education- Business

Experience: Minimum three (3) years of experience in management of school or institutional food service operations (preferred)* Minimum three (3) years of training experience with adults

For More Information Contact: Laura Strube, Deputy Director - (325) 658-6571

All interested applicants should complete an official application on the Education Service Region 15 webpage.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $54,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $54,000 - $60,000