Assistant Director of Child Nutrition

Grand Island Public Schools : Nutrition Services

Assistant Director of Child Nutrition : Job Description 21341

About Grand Island Public Schools Nutrition Services

The Mission of the Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) Nutrition Services Department is to provide students and staff of the district with high quality service along with appealing, safe, nutritious meals that will enhance the learning process and well-being of our students. Our vision is that all students will be knowledgeable of the importance of good nutrition habits and incorporate these habits into everyday food choices to enhance the mind and body for optimal physical health and academic performance. GIPS Nutrition Services staff is committed to our mission and goals, serving almost 10,000 students at over 20 locations in Hall County.

Position Summary

The position of the Assistant Director of Child Nutrition was established for the purpose of assisting and supporting the Director role toward ensuring efficient and effective operations of the School Food and Nutrition Services Department of Grand Island Public Schools. This job reports to the Director of Child Nutrition Services.

The Assistant Director oversees and coordinates food and nutrition programming within schools and/or school district. Primary responsibilities include planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating menus for standard and special diets; creating standardized recipes, managing back of the house software, assisting with the hiring and training of managers and supervisors, consulting with teachers on nutrition education projects; managing the wellness program; promotion and marketing of food and nutrition services to students, parents, and staff; collaborating with community groups and agencies to further program goals; and maintaining professional competency and skills required for professional practice. Assists Director with special projects.

Essential Program Management Responsibilities

• Oversees the USDA compliance with operations of the schools related to food service and nutrition as it relates to the federal and state child nutrition program regulations (e.g. National School Lunch, School Breakfast, etc.) for the purpose of providing services within established timeframes and in compliance program review and related requirements.
• Administers school nutrition programs (e.g. menu development, recipe development, nutrition analysis) for the purpose of providing services within established timeframes and in compliance with related requirements.
• Provides scientifically based nutrition expertise for Grand Island Public Schools.
• Serve as a resource to administrators and teachers in the selection and use of appropriate nutrition education resources.
• Coordinates and implements activities that contribute to increasing participation in school breakfast and lunch programs.
• Advises on menu planning and selection of a la carte items to meet National School Lunch Program standards, School Breakfast Program, and states policies for competitive foods.
• Participates in menu planning and prepares compliant menus for distribution.
• Provides nutrient analysis of menus, special diets, and related foods.
• Provides nutritional data per request and consults with physicians, school nurses and parents for special dietary issues.
• Recommends and implements changes and specifications for quality, nutrition, and costs control procedures used to test new foods.
• Serves as a resource or guest speaker on nutrition topics in the classroom and for parents or media inquiries.
• Provides staff development activities and information that enhance understanding of nutrition.
• Assists teacher and school teams/committees in incorporating knowledge of nutrition into classroom curriculum.
• Researches or designs and implements nutrition education materials.
• Educates parents and teachers about the Child Nutrition Program, including promotion of school menus through print, digital, and social media platforms.
• Collaborates with the school district wellness coordinator to educate and plan activities for students, staff, and families.
• Conducts reports and periodic evaluations on district and school level compliance with the Grand Island Public Schools Wellness Policy and Implementation Procedures.
• Assists in marketing, coordinating, delivery, and tracking of all activities of the program.
• Assist in the organization of school health fairs, career programs, and wellness workshops.
• Supports the District Wellness Policy by contributing related information to the monthly to the District Newsletter
• Writes grant proposals to support nutrition education, healthy eating, and physical activity in schools.
• Serves as a preceptor for nutrition and dietetics students and interns completing community nutrition rotations.
• Provides technical assistance to foodservice personnel in selecting, ordering, preparing, and serving foods.
• Plans, develops, and conducts in-service training programs for foodservice employees.
• Meets with student and parent groups to obtain feedback about the cafeteria and presents their suggestions to the Food Service Director for consideration in menu planning.
• Participates in meetings, workshops and seminars for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions.
• Develops, coordinates, implements, and evaluates nutritional education materials, activities and resources for the purpose of providing nutrition education in the district.
• Assists State representatives tasked with performing periodic program reviews and fully cooperate with all recommendations regarding USDA federal program compliance.
  
  

Other Responsibilities

• Performs other duties and participates on other projects as assigned.
  
  

Required Education And Certifications

• BS in food service management, dietetics, nutrition or similar area is required.
• A minimum of twelve (12) hours of continuing education to meet annual Professional Standards training requirements compliance is required.
• Registered Dietitian (R.D.) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) is required.
• SNA certification Level 3 or credentialing School Nutrition Specialist preferred.
• Valid Driver’s License required.
  
  

Essential Functional Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Possesses knowledge of health and nutrition associations, publications, influencers, general landscape, and key issues affecting school nutrition.
• Continuously improves knowledge of nutrition issues and policies, research related to products or services, and communication skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to establish a professional environment of teamwork and maintain rapport with the nutrition services staff, students and public.
• Proficiency with software applications including e-Mail, Word, Excel, Google and web based software utilized in school nutrition programs.
• Ability to read and follow oral and written instructions and directions, perform basic math calculations to comply with recipe sizing requirements, standard reporting, interpreting metrics for areas of improvement and other functions as described.
• Ability to multitask and work without direct supervision, operating independently to set priorities and make decisions as circumstances and situations demand using sound decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop, maintain and strengthen partnerships with others inside or outside the organization who can provide assistance with Nutrition Services program objectives.
  
  

Physical and Environmental Considerations

Nutrition Services staff may be assigned to work in one or more buildings and must be adaptable to changing environments. The physical environments may include warehouses, central kitchens, school kitchens, food serving areas and physical lunchrooms. The nature of the schedules and activities in this environment is fast paced and often crowded.

Exposure to typical kitchen hazards from tools, equipment, etc. exists and in all environments, noise levels are generally moderate and temperature controlled, though heat and humidity can be a factor.

The environment contains potential hazards and exposures including, but not limited to: Cleaning Solvents, Electrical Shock, Fire Potential, Fumes, High Temperatures, Hot Cooking Surfaces, Hot Grease, Moving Machinery, Sharp Objects, Slippery Floors, Steam, Water Pressure. This position may require the following physical demands:

Requirements

Physical Requirements Never Seldom Occasional Frequent

Working Outside X

Standing X

Walking X

Bending/Stooping X

Reaching/Pushing/Pulling X

Operating tools and equipment requiring manual dexterity X

Driving X

Lifting/Carrying < 25 LBS X

Lifting/Carrying < 40 LBS X

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while

performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with

Disabilities To Perform The Essential Functions.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The

employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the

appropriate administrator or supervisor. Grand Island Public Schools reserves the right to update, revise or change

this job description and related duties at any time without prior notice.

GIPS is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering competitive pay and challenging opportunities for growth and

advancement. Eligibility for insurance and paid time off benefits is based on hours scheduled. All positions are

available during the school year only. All candidates are subject to GIPS policies. Apply in person at Grand Island

Public Schools Kneale Administration Building, 123 S. Webb Road, Grand Island, NE, 68803 Monday – Friday from

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please visit our Web site at www.gips.org. for additional information about GIPS.