Child Nutrition & Wellness Director

Sycamore Community Schools

Cincinnati, Ohio

Sycamore Community Schools is located northeast of Cincinnati and includes the municipalities of Blue Ash and Montgomery as well as portions of Sycamore and Symmes townships. The district celebrates its cultural and international diversity. We invite you to visit and experience Sycamore Community Schools on the district’s website:http://www.sycamoreschools.org/

GENERAL DESCRIPTION   *subject to change/revision*

Director is to serve as the head of the Sycamore Child Nutrition Services (CNS) in order to provide daily meals that meet the National School Meal Program guidelines and are well-balanced, cost-effective and of high quality.  Director leads the district Wellness Committee with the goal of ensuring a healthy school environment for students and staff members.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.

Personnel Management

• Interviews, screens and recommends employment of all CNS personnel.

• Completes performance evaluations on each kitchen supervisor on an annual basis

• Provides assistance and feedback to kitchen supervisors for child nutrition server evaluations.

• Ensures adherence to the approved union agreement by all CNS personnel and performs any and all disciplinary action in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.

• Structures and schedules employee assignments according to the needs of the department while considering the budget to maintain adequate level of service.

• Develops, maintains and implements an on-going training program for all employees including new, substitute and current employees.

• Provides professional growth opportunities for CNS employees at minimum meeting the state regulatory training hours.

Administrative

• Completes all reports as requested and as required by the district, state and USDA regulations.

• Develops and maintains an effective communication and public relations program, including the design, publication and distribution of information related to wellness and the Child Nutrition Services.

• Establishes and maintains open communication with students, staff, administration and parents.

• Establishes policies and procedures for adherence by CNS staff in line with the union agreement, school board policy and CNS handbook.

• Provides quality control monitoring of food production in every school for all meals offered.

• Coordinates the distribution of the menu, free and reduced family meal application, required announcements and notification letters to all Sycamore families as it pertains to them in a timely manner as regulated by the National School Meal Programs.

• Prepares goals and objectives on an annual basis for Child Nutrition Services.

Menu Planning and Meal Compliance

• Plans monthly menus that meet state and federal guidelines under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, while meeting the food preferences of students and staff.

• Orders and allocates all commodity entitlement dollars to ensure the most effective use of funds for the betterment of the CNS budget.

• Completes on-site accountability checks in every kitchen annually.

• Provides requested information to the USDA and ODE related to Coordinated Review Efforts, School Meal Initiatives and Administrative Reviews.

• Prepares proper ordering forms, production records and other essential record-keeping forms for kitchen supervisor and staff use.

• Seeks input from staff and students when developing and adjusting the menu.

Equipment and Food Safety and Sanitation

• Provides administrative direction for safety and sanitation standards and implementation.

• Creates, updates and analyzes HACCP program for CNS and thoroughly trains staff in co-ordinance with ODE regulations.

• Implements an incident/accident reporting system along with a corrective action report in an attempt to prevent similar accidents from occurring.

• Facilitates the development of basic procedures, including a work schedule to be followed in the cleaning and sanitation of work areas.

• Provides access to training manuals, hands on training opportunities and assistance from manufacturers when purchasing new equipment and for new employees.

• Provides recommendations for purchase of new kitchen equipment and remodeling of facilities.

• Provides proper record-keeping forms for kitchen supervisors to document equipment repair and maintains files on new equipment under warranty.

• Complies with federal, state and local safety and sanitation regulations.

Nutrition Education & Wellness

• Provides access to nutrition facts and ingredient information to parents, nurses, students and staff for all food and beverages offered in CNS.

• Maintains a high level of quality while ensuring well-rounded meals being offered to students and staff.

• Advocate for student and staff wellness whenever feasible.

• Promote staff and student wellness opportunities in and around the district and community.

• Communicate the goals and objectives of the District Wellness Committee with the staff and families of the district.

• Serve as a resource for school nurses for students with dietary restrictions, special food needs and train cashiers on appropriate intervention tactics to prevent an allergic reaction or parent dispute.

• Utilizes nutrition software to analyze the menus to ensure meal compliance.

• Shall serve as the advisor to the Athletic Department, Boosters, PTO, Principals, Student Organizations and other organizations concerning food-related fundraising efforts to ensure compliance with local, state and federal guidelines.

Financial

• Establishes and implements budgeting and financial management systems consistent with federal, state and local requirements.

• Serves as verification official for all Free and Reduced Family Meal Applications.

• Reviews, analyzes and puts into place systems to warrant a positive balance at the end of each school year.

• Coordinates the billing for all special functions such as Head Start, Champions, and other catering opportunities.

• Make recommendations for labor adjustments as necessary for the fiscal responsibility and staffing needs of CNS.

• Always seek methods to be cost-effective in the utilization of Child Nutrition resources.

Other

• Coordinates personnel, food and supplies for catering and special functions.

• Interact in a positive manner with all district personnel, parents and students and serve as a positive role model by showcasing a good public image through personal appearance, positive attitude and in conversation.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises employees.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the district's policies and negotiated agreements.  Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees, planning, assigning and directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

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, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university in a related field.  School Nutrition Specialist Certification and/or a registered dietitian required.   Experience using district selected computer software is required.  Ability to operate the point of sale system as a cashier and administrator required.  Budgeting experience is required.  Experience using large quantity food service equipment and production is required.  Additional education or experience may be deemed necessary as requirements by the USDA may dictate.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, write and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to staff, students and administrators.  Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, colleagues and administration.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from students, parents, agencies, teachers or members of the school community.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Exhibit qualities of leadership and organizational ability and reflect a spirit of cooperation in working with staff and school administration.  Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in specific field.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the community.  Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form.  Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

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.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.