24 - Nutrition Associate

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for the preparation and serving of nutritious meals and snacks for young children in the Head Start/Early Head Start program with emphasis on quality and quantity.

Monitors any special dietary concerns or needs such as food allergies, intolerances, or specific health conditions.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Primary Responsibilities:

• Works closely with the nutrition supervisor and parents to plan meals and monitor any special dietary needs.
• Prepares and serves all meals making sure that nutrition standards and quantity conform to CAO Standards and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) regulations.
• Maintains established standards of sanitation and food safety in accordance with all Federal and State regulations.
• Responsible for checking accuracy of deliveries, storing inventory, and tracking expiration dates
• Completes daily cleaning and disinfecting areas.
• Monitors children’s acceptance of food items
• Serves food to children “family style” as soon as they come to the table, providing proper eating utensils, and in a form easy for young children to manage.
• Maintains file records of meal census
• Maintains inventory by placing food orders, checks accuracy of deliveries, stores all incoming products, and makes sure items in storage have not expired.
• Provides and promotes nutritional education to children and families and prepares meal plans.
• Recruit volunteers for food service area.
• Trains volunteers of proper dishwashing procedures and safe operation of equipment such as fire

extinguishers.

• Reviews nutrition assessment data to reinforce good aspects of family eating patterns and prepares written reports.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Satisfactory completion of mandatory trainings.
• Additional duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Educated in Health and Safety of food preparation, including sanitary conditions to comply with all federal, state, and local requirements.
• One Year of work and/or volunteer experience preparing large quantity meals.

Skills and Abilities:

• Understanding of essential nutrients, dietary guidelines, and the impact of food on health.
• Familiar with modern cooking utensils, appliances, and equipment
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively educate and counsel children and families.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and manage information effectively.
• Ability to identify and address barriers to healthy eating and to adapt meal plans to individual needs.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

Physical Demands:

• Active listening, writing, and verbal communication skills.
• Prolonged sitting with occasional standing and walking.
• Must be able to tolerate moderate to loud noise.
• Ability to lift/move up to 25 pounds

Application Requirements:

• Completion of the following documents:
  • CAO Employment application
  • NYS SCR Clearance Form with acceptable clearance
  • Criminal Record Certification and free of criminal convictions of crimes against children (misdemeanor or felony)
  • Fingerprinting required.
  • Release for Reference Checks

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.