Director of Nutrition

Salary range: $85,000 - $93,000.

About the Organization

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community-based supports and foster care services, provides subsidized childcare vouchers, and responds to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement, and community programs for youth. The Division of Administration provides support services across ACS, including building maintenance, real estate, facilities management, security, transportation, and print production, with a Personnel Services budget of approximately $29M and an Other Than Personnel Services budget of $140M.

The Food and Nutrition Services Unit manages a $5M food services budget, preparing and serving meals to children and youth in ACS care. The unit operates full-service kitchens at the Crossroads and Horizon Secure Juvenile Detention Centers and the Nicholas Scoppetta Children’s Center, providing three meals and snacks daily. It also addresses behavioral issues related to food, designs specialized menus for allergies and medical, religious, or cultural dietary restrictions, distributes meal cards, maintains vending machines, and oversees light refreshment and modest meal requests for staff and youth events.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee Food and Nutrition Services operations for three primary ACS facilities: Horizon, Crossroads, and the Children’s Center.
• Provide nutrition technical assistance throughout the Agency.
• Collaborate with the Agency’s Nutritionist to develop culturally diverse and healthy menus that meet the nutrition needs of children and youth in care, ensuring adherence to NYC Food Standards and regulatory guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with food safety regulations and sanitation standards, including NYC DOHMH requirements, HACCP, OCFS regulations, and New York State Child Nutrition requirements.
• Develop and oversee policies related to food storage, handling, and preparation; conduct regular inspections and audits to guarantee food quality and safety.
• Draft nutrition, meal, food service, and staffing contract specifications; collaborate with Planning and Business Management, ACCO, Finance, and BLU for procurements.
• Oversee the food procurement process, forecast budget, and work with DCAS to develop and refine food specifications, review bids, and participate in procurement strategy initiatives.
• Prepare annual Food Metrics Reports and other compliance reports with City Policies.
• Project manage and coordinate procurements and programs for the Food Pantry Program.
• Provide Food Service and Nutrition expertise primarily to the Division of Youth and Family Justice and Family Permanency Services.
• Liaise across Agency divisions for program development, construction, and renovations.
• Develop educational and training programs and materials for children, youth, and staff.

Requirements

• A general baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and a master’s degree in foods and nutrition from an accredited college.
• Five years of full-time experience in a nutrition education program in public health, with two years in a supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial, or executive capacity.
• Candidates must meet the educational requirements and possess two years of supervisory, administrative, consultative, managerial, or executive experience as specified above.

Preferred Qualifications

• Registered Dietitian in New York State.
• Eligibility for the 55-a Program for qualified persons with disabilities.

Additional Information

Section 424-A of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-caring responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report.

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.