Assistant Director Nutrition Services 2025-26

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POSITION PROPERTIES

PURPOSE:

The Assistant Director of School Nutrition Services supports the Director in managing the daily operations of the district's nutrition program. This role involves ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, overseeing food safety and meal quality, managing staff, planning menus, and leading nutrition education initiatives to provide high-quality meals for students at all school sites.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Assume leadership responsibilities in the Director's absence.
• Assist in overseeing food preparation activities across all district Nutrition Services’ kitchens.
• Maintain close supervision and connection with assigned kitchens.
• Regularly visit kitchens to ensure efficient operations and monitor performance.
• Participate in the hiring, training, and evaluation of food service personnel.
• Collaborate in menu planning, inventory, food production records, food procurement, and ensuring menus meet federal nutritional standards.
• Foster a service-oriented and team-driven work environment.
• Establish cooperative relationships with employees, students, parents, and community members.
• Ensure high standards of sanitation and health conditions in all kitchen facilities.
• Conduct monthly sanitation inspections in assigned kitchens.
• Assist in managing kitchen inventory, including equipment and food supplies.
• Maintain required professional development certifications and accreditation.
• Evaluate food production records, create menus, and develop recipes.
• Ensure adherence to USDA policies, procedures, and CPS Board of Education regulations and policies.
• Demonstrate proficiency in computer applications and district-specific software.
• Assist in the development of newsletters and manage Nutrition Services' social media platforms.
• Oversee preventive maintenance schedules and ensure proper tracking of new equipment.
• Handle daily staff scheduling to ensure efficiency.
• Contribute to new kitchen designs and assist in identifying equipment needs.
• Help plan staff meetings and training sessions.
• Promote healthy eating in school cafeterias.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Director of Nutrition Services

• Perform other duties as necessary to support the mission and vision of Columbia Public School District.

DISTRICT EXPECTATIONS

All employees of the District are expected to adhere to the policies and regulations of the Board of Education, maintain appropriate certification and competencies necessary for the position, and demonstrate the values of the district at all times. For information on policies, regulations, and values, visit http://www.cpsk12.org.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To:        Director of Nutrition Services

Supervises:        All Nutrition Services’ personnel

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in nutrition, food science, dietetics, or related field and 3 years of administrative food service management experience.
• Experience in food service management, preferably in a school setting.
• Knowledge of USDA school meal guidelines and nutrition standards.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage budgets and financial reporting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• General knowledge of commercial food service equipment.
• ServSafe Certification.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

ADA REQUIREMENTS

Language: Read and interpret documents such as instructions, policies, regulations, and procedure manuals; Write reports and correspondence; Answer telephone calls and direct callers to appropriate personnel; Demonstrate strong listening skills; Demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills; present information to teachers, staff, other administrators, families, and the Board of Education; Keep information confidential when required by law, policy, or the nature of a situation.   Read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos written in English; Communicate one-on-one and in small groups; Maintain appropriate relationships with students and coworkers.

Computation: Work with mathematical concepts, such as probability and statistical inference, and analyze data for instruction. Apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide and perform those operations using units of US currency, and weight, volume, and distance measurements.

Reasoning: Comprehend instructions presented in written, verbal, diagrammatic, or scheduled formats. Solve problems that involve multiple concrete variables. Manage several tasks simultaneously, as these are key aspects of the role. Resolve diverse issues in various contexts. Interpret instructions in written, verbal, diagrammatic, or scheduled formats. Demonstrate executive functions such as planning, organizing, recalling, and regulating information and behavior, especially in relation to student performance and success.

Technology: Demonstrate strong computer skills including word processing and working with spreadsheets and databases; create, understand, and submit online reports; Learn new systems and software. Operate a computerized cash register, and district/department specific software and Microsoft products.

Physical Demands: The individual in this position must be able to frequently walk short distances, standing for extended periods, and performing tasks that require bending or twisting the neck and torso. The role also involves continuous gripping, frequent reaching, stooping, kneeling, and crouching. The ability to lift between 20-40 pounds frequently, and occasionally up to 50 pounds, is required. Use close, distance, and peripheral vision. The individual must be able to adapt to various physical demands in the school environment, including working in both hot and cold temperatures. Reliable and regular transportation is essential for this role.

Attendance: Consistent and regular attendance is an essential duty of this position.

Conditions and Environment: The position requires working in an active, noisy school environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally work in temperatures that exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit and between 15-32 degrees Fahrenheit. The work environment is frequently loud; employees may need to raise voices to be heard. There is a greater than average risk of minor burns and cuts.

Other Abilities & Skills: Demonstrate interpersonal skills and ability to work closely with a variety of staff members; safeguard confidential information. Be a self-starter and work independently. The position requires normal visual acuity and field of vision, hearing, speaking, and tasting. Service and team-oriented and demonstrate a positive, enthusiastic, outgoing personality; Demonstrate excellent customer service skills.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Prospective and current employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact human resources to discuss reasonable accommodations to perform the essential job functions. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

Salary : $85,000 - $105,000