Job Title: Nutrition Services Support Specialist
FLSA Classification: Non- Exempt
Supervisor: Nutrition Services Manager
Pay Grade: EHS Scale Grade 2; Step depending on experience and qualifications
Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; 222 Day Calendar Employee Hours may vary based on program needs
Position Summary
The Nutrition Services Support Specialist supports the daily work of EOACs Head Start and Early Head Start nutrition program. This position helps make sure children receive safe nutritious well-prepared meals on time and in the right portions. The role supports accurate CACFP documentation food safety kitchen operations inventory and meal-service coverage when staffing needs arise.
This work supports EOACs larger commitment to helping children and families move toward stability. Reliable meals safe food handling accurate records and respectful teamwork help children learn help classrooms run smoothly and give families confidence that their children are cared for well each day.
Connection to EOACs Work
Every EOAC position contributes to the agencys mission values and strategic plan. This position supports EOACs early-learning work by helping protect childrens health reduce classroom disruptions and maintain the daily systems that families depend on.
Put people first by helping children receive safe appealing and appropriate meals.
Act with integrity by completing records accurately and following CACFP and food-safety requirements.
Work together by supporting the Nutrition Manager kitchen staff classroom staff transporters and site teams.
Focus on results by helping maintain uninterrupted meal service accurate documentation safe kitchens and reduced waste.
Key Outcomes
Children receive meals and snacks that are safe properly portioned and served on time.
CACFP records temperature logs meal production records and inventory paperwork are complete and ready for review.
Kitchen practices support food safety sanitation and health requirements.
Kitchen and classroom staff receive practical support so meal service stays consistent.
Food and supplies are handled carefully to reduce waste and protect program resources.
Nutrition Services contributes to a reliable caring Head Start experience for children families and employees.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
CACFP Documentation Compliance Support and Quality Assurance
Review and maintain daily meal records including meal production records temperature logs inventory paperwork and other required nutrition documentation.
Check records for completeness accuracy and timely correction so they are ready for reviews audits monitoring visits and inspections.
Ensure meal production records are completed using the USDA Food Buying Guide or other approved guidance.
Organize nutrition records and assist the Nutrition Manager with CACFP reviews health inspections and monitoring visits.
Identify documentation errors missing information or potential compliance concerns and communicate them promptly to the Nutrition Manager.
Complete required CACFP annual training and follow current CACFP procedures.
Kitchen Operations and Meal Service
Support daily kitchen operations so meals are prepared according to approved menus recipes portion sizes and program expectations.
Monitor food quality meal presentation and portion sizes.
Help ensure meals and supplies are ready and delivered to classrooms or program sites on time.
Work with food transporters and site staff to support timely delivery service and communication about meal needs.
Assist with preparing and distributing supplies for classrooms and program sites.
Provide support to kitchen staff and provide kitchen coverage at Head Start and Early Head Start locations when staffing shortages occur.
Provide practical guidance to kitchen staff regarding food preparation food safety portion sizes sanitation and required documentation.
Food Safety and Sanitation
Help maintain clean kitchen equipment food preparation areas storage spaces and work areas.
Monitor food temperatures storage practices and food-handling procedures to help prevent food-safety issues.
Support proper handling of leftovers and ensure food is rotated and stored correctly.
Follow health safety sanitation and program procedures at all times.
Report food-safety equipment sanitation or kitchen-readiness concerns to the Nutrition Manager promptly.
Inventory and Supply Support
Help maintain food and kitchen supply inventories.
Report supply needs and assist with ordering food and supplies through the Nutrition Manager.
Help ensure food and supplies are stored properly labeled when needed rotated and used responsibly.
Support efficient use of program resources by helping reduce waste and avoid unnecessary shortages.
Teamwork Communication and Daily Problem Solving
Work respectfully and cooperatively with the Nutrition Manager kitchen staff Site Managers classroom staff transporters and other EOAC employees.
Communicate clearly about meal service needs schedule changes missing information supply concerns or kitchen issues.
Support a positive team environment especially during busy meal-service times or staffing shortages.
Help solve practical problems that could interrupt meal service while escalating concerns that require the Nutrition Managers direction.
Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all work with staff children families and program records.
Core Competencies
Accuracy and follow-through: Completes records carefully checks work and follows up on corrections.
Food service reliability: Helps meals be prepared delivered and served on time.
Safety and sanitation: Follows food-safety sanitation and health requirements consistently.
Teamwork: Works well with others and supports a calm respectful and helpful work environment.
Problem solving: Notices issues early communicates concerns and helps find practical solutions.
Mission focus: Understands that nutrition services support childrens health classroom stability family trust and EOACs larger purpose.
Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of food preparation and kitchen operations.
Understanding of food safety sanitation and health regulations.
Basic understanding of CACFP meal requirements and documentation preferred.
Ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment and support multiple priorities.
Strong organization communication and problem-solving skills.
Ability to complete paperwork accurately and maintain organized records.
Ability to work well with others and support a positive team environment.
Ability to travel between program sites as needed.
Qualifications
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in food service institutional cooking or large-scale meal preparation preferred.
Experience in a school childcare Head Start or similar food-service environment preferred.
Must successfully pass required background checks including criminal history clearance and drug screening in accordance with agency requirements.
Food Manager Certification required or ability to obtain within 5 days of hire.
Adult and Pediatric CPR/First Aid Certification required or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
Valid Texas drivers license reliable transportation and ability to travel between program sites as needed.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
Ability to stand for extended periods during kitchen operations and meal preparation.
Frequent bending kneeling stooping twisting and reaching while working in kitchen areas.
Frequent hand and wrist movement related to food preparation and kitchen duties.
Ability to lift carry push or pull items weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to work in hot cold and fast-paced kitchen environments.
Ability to travel between Head Start and Early Head Start sites as needed.
Other Duties
This job description is not intended to list every duty responsibility or qualification associated with the position. The Nutrition Services Support Specialist may be assigned additional duties by the Nutrition Manager or program leadership as needed to support Nutrition Services Head Start operations and EOACs mission.
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