Health & Nutrition Specialist

About the role

Assists in the coordination and delivery of health and nutritional services to children enrolled in Children and Family Services’ programs.

Works closely with the Health and Nutrition Coordinator, contracted licensed dietitian/nutritionist, community partners, parents, and other staff to coordinate and provide services promoting the school readiness, health, safety, and nutrition of enrolled children and families.

Responsibilities

• Determining eligibility for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food program and keeping accurate records of meal counts and USDA reimbursements.
• Planning menus to meet children’s dietary needs including children with special health and dietary restrictions.
• Entering information into a database that pertains to USDA and medical information in addition to maintaining accurate files and records for the children and families.
• Serving as a substitute Cook when necessary.
• Ensuring the program adheres to the Head Start Program Performance Standards, USDA or the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Nutrition Standards, National Health and Safety Performance Standards and Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, Virginia Department of Health regulations, and other applicable child care licensing standards and guidelines related to childcare, health, nutrition, and safety.
• Ordering of all health supplies; assisting the cooks with the weekly shopping, and preparing meals in their absence if necessary.
• Collaborating with Health and Nutrition Coordinator and with the off-site cafeteria managers to ensure meals and billing are completed without errors.
• Supporting the Health and Nutrition Coordinator with gathering the information for entry into computerized system used for meal counts and health-related information.
• Completing the USDA/CACFP annual agreement, meal reimbursement request, food establishment permits, program’s emergency preparedness and response plan, environmental inspections and CACFP monitoring, safety drills, and maintaining environmental checklist and all other necessary reports.
• Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting programmatic data to identify trends and areas for improvement; utilizing data to create reports to support decision-making and data-driven efficiency.
• Coordinating transportation services to ensure safe transport of children to and from the Head Start Program, as well as on any special events or field trips; assigning children to bus stop; assisting bus aide; setting up bus schedule for bus rotation and inspection with garage.
• Conducting regular CACFP monitoring and safety checks; maintaining and conducting emergency drills throughout the school year; ensuring all fire inspections, and food safety licensing and inspections are completed and posted; ensuring all fire and safety hazards are reported and corrected immediately; reviewing weekly safety and sanitation checks in classrooms and kitchens.
• Assisting in documenting, coordinating and conducting health and nutritional screenings for children enrolled in the Head Start Program, including children with disabilities, to ensure children have and maintain current immunizations and physical throughout the school year; collaborating with parents and medical providers to ensure that children receive medical examinations and any necessary treatment.
• Consulting with staff, parents, physicians, health department personnel, and social service agencies concerning children’s health and nutritional needs.
• Administering medication and developing special diets and/or health plans as appropriate.
• Providing basic first aid medical care for children as necessary; arranging for medical attention when parents are unavailable; providing emergency care for children and adults to include administering CPR if necessary; aiding in monitoring, tracking, and reporting communicable diseases to the local health department.
• Assisting in coordinating and carrying out training, special events, parent-child activities, outreach, community partnerships, special committees (i.e., Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee), and recruitment events which are responsive to the ongoing and expressed needs of families.

Qualifications

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to an associate’s degree and two (2) years of experience in a health, nutrition, or food service industry.
• A typical way to qualify is: Six (6) years of closely related experience in a health, nutrition, or food service industry.
• Must possess a valid commercial driver's license with the appropriate endorsements issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia or have the ability to obtain such license within two years of employment.
• Must possess a valid driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Requires an initial physical examination to include screening for tuberculosis, and periodic re-examinations to ensure the incumbent poses no significant health risk to the participants in the Head Start Program.
• Requires acceptable criminal and child protective services background checks.
• Must obtain and maintain certifications for the following: Medication Administration, Food Handlers, Food Protection Manager, and ServSafe.

Skills

• General knowledge of health, safety, and nutrition.
• General knowledge of medications, their uses, and potential adverse effects, including drugs used to control hyperactive children.
• Thorough knowledge of office practices including the use of computers, word processing, database management, and spreadsheet software.
• Ability to administer medication and perform CPR and first aid.
• Ability to recognize, assess, and respond to signs of child abuse and neglect.
• Ability to set limits, maintain a supportive role to employees, and intervene appropriately to meet the needs of program participants and their families.
• Ability to perceive and deal with sensitive issues while maintaining confidentiality and objectivity.
• Ability to work as a team member, interact with and assist all employees, and facilitate groups, especially training and planning functions.
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively with people from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Ability to establish and maintain mutually respectful partnerships and effective working relationships with a wide range of individuals, groups, and interests.
• Ability to collect, organize, record, and process information quickly and efficiently.
• Ability to prioritize a heavy workload and consistently meet deadlines with minimum supervision.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health savings account.
• VRS retirement.
• Group life insurance.
• Deferred compensation.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Employee assistance program.
• Paid holidays and paid leave.

Pay

$51,355.00 - $60,500.00 Annually

Schedule

Full-time