Nutrition Specialist - The Dimock Center

Nutrition Specialist

You are a caring, hard-working individual who thrives in a team environment and is committed to excellence. You have experience in a school setting and are comfortable interacting with children.

The Dimock Center is a federally qualified community health center that heals and uplifts individuals, families and communities. Our vision is to redefine the model of a healthy community by creating equitable access to comprehensive health care and education. We promote a culture of respect, excellence, equal opportunity, and commitment to our employees and the communities we serve.

Our Child and Family Services programs offer quality care, education and support to young children and their families.

Summary/Objective:

The Nutrition Specialist is responsible for providing training, workshops, technical assistance and guidance in nutrition and meal service to Head Start, Early Head Start and Foundation for Learning programs to ensure that they fully understand the nutritional needs of all children and families. The Nutrition Specialist is responsible for administering the CACFP program and following the nutrition program standards determined by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Head Start. The Nutrition Specialist assesses and plains nutrition services to ensure they are meeting local, State and Federal requirements. Provides content knowledge for the Food Service Workers in collaboration with the Health and Nutrition Manager. Plans educational nutrition programs for children, staff, and families. The Nutrition Specialist will collaborate with education staff to address the needs of children with feeding issues including making necessary referrals.

Essential Functions

1. The Nutrition specialist fosters positive communication interaction between colleagues; between staff and parents; and between staff and children in accordance with the Pyramid Model for supporting emotional competence.
2. The Nutrition Specialist plans, organizes, and coordinates nutrition services for Head Start, Early Head Starts and Foundations for Learning programs.
3. The Nutrition Specialist ensures compliance with all Federal, State, and local regulations pertaining to menu development, food production, food service operation, meal components, and food safety/handling.
4. Collaborate with and provide assistance to Food Service staff, in meal planning, budgeting, and ordering for food and supplies for program events.
5. Develop monthly menu for all necessary meals. Create meal substitution list weekly and ensure allergy meal replacements are available to children with food allergies, special food accommodations, and food preferences. Order meals and food items for all meals and snacks.
6. Identify and track children’s food allergies, and meal modification requests. Ensure all required documents are completed appropriately and meal modification and allergy lists are current and posted in classrooms and food service areas.
7. Collaborate with families, education staff, and outside providers regarding children with feeding issues. Provide coordination of services and facilitate referrals for outside services if necessary. Ensure staff training is provided as necessary.
8. Ensure compliance with Head Start screening requirements for height, weight and growth assessments. Conduct screenings when necessary and complete all necessary documentation including uploading it into the database.
9. Responsible for all Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) documentation and billing. Will train all staff in CACFP including Civil Rights, Recordkeeping, and Meal Service for all new hires and annually for all staff.
10. Design and conduct nutrition and wellness education programs for parents
11. Conduct nutrition education and wellness programs for staff
12. Attend all assigned meetings and trainings as required by the program.
13. Create, maintain and track nutrition plans for children with allergies, and/or nutritional issues.
14. Recognize and report suspected abuse and/or neglect to the appropriate authorities as required by law.
15. Positively represent the Dimock Center in all interactions with visitors, families, colleagues, and community partners.

Competencies

• At least three (3) years’ experience in nutrition
• 3 years working with young children 0-5 and their families.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written & verbal)
• Proficient computer skills
• Takes responsibility for delivery of services as part of team effort in unit/department.
• Takes initiative in making suggestions for improvement of services.
• Meets deadlines without causing undue disruption.
• Utilizes human resources, time, and supplies efficiently.
• Incorporate organization mission, goals, and policies into daily work to foster an inclusive, supportive, and culturally responsive environment for families.
• Positively represents the Dimock Center in all interactions with visitors, families, colleagues, and community partners.
• Knowledgeable of Child Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
• Bilingual preferred in Spanish/English, Haitian Creole/English or Cape Verdean/English.

Work Environment

This position is primarily in an office environment. Working from home occasionally is acceptable.

Physical Demands

Duties may require sitting, standing, or walking for long periods of time. May require bending and lifting up to 40lbs.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Monday through Friday 7:30-3:30. Occasional evening work may be required.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor’s Degree required, in Nutrition, Dietetics, Health/Nutrition Education, Register Dietician or a related field.

Other Duties
Note this job description is not designed to cover a comprehensive listing of duties that are required of the employee for this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.
EEO Statement

The Dimock Center values diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.