Education Developmental Assistant (EDA) - MEAL - Caswell Developmental Center

State of North Carolina • Lenoir, NC

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Meal Educational Developmental Assistant (EDA) serves as the person responsible to ensure that the implementation of each prescribed diet for breakfast, lunch, dinner and any substantial snack is prepared and served as scheduled, within the designated time frame, at the prescribed temperatures, and according to the prescribed individualized textures. The Educational Developmental Assistant (EDA) serves as a lead trainer in the kitchen setting, focusing on the meal program to help individuals build independence in skills such as meal preparation, dining, kitchen safety, food texturizing, and grocery storage. This role involves providing specialized instructional training, activities and mentoring support staff in the kitchen, and dining environments. The EDA assists teachers and active treatment coordinators in assessing individual strengths, needs, and preferences to support the development of effective training objectives and activities. The Meal EDA serves as positive and supportive role model for the individuals and support staff and assists them with learning how to conduct training programs or generalization of skills related to dining and domestic activities in the dining area and maintaining accurate documentation of progress. The EDA also prepares meals according to seasonal menus and individualized recommendations from registered dietitians, occupational therapist, speech therapist, physicians and other health professionals. Weekly grocery inventories are completed to align with menu needs, and input is provided for ongoing program needs and improvement.

Requirements

• High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and one year of experience working with students in an educational environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Competencies in Reading comprehension, measurements and critical thinking.
• Culinary execution (knife skills, cooking methods, recipe adherence, food texturizing).
• Sanitation and safety knowledge.
• Temperature control.
• Equipment proficiency.
• Time management.
• Problem solving.
• Receptive and expressive communication skills.
• Meal Preparation and cooking skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to focus and concentrate on details.
• Basic knowledge of prescribed diet orders, specialized food consistencies, dietary restrictions.
• Working knowledge of characteristics of people with developmental disabilities, autism, mental illnesses and medical frailties.
• Practical applications of behavioral intervention techniques.
• Ability and skills to establish rapport, build relationships and relate to the population served.
• Ability to relate to a variety of service disciplines (social workers, doctors, psychologists, teachers, nurses, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians).
• Ability to observe behavior and communicate observations and recommendations effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work harmoniously.
• Ability to understand the importance of the role in the achievement of meaningful days, quality of life and success for the individuals on their caseload.

Nice To Haves

• Culinary execution (knife skills, cooking methods, recipe adherence, food texturizing), sanitation and safety knowledge, temperature control, equipment proficiency, time management, problem solving and receptive and expressive communication skills are needed to be successful in this position.
• Meal Preparation and cooking skills are essential for this position.
• Attention to detail and ability to focus and concentrate on details are needed for success in this position.
• Basic knowledge of prescribed diet orders, specialized food consistencies, dietary restrictions and a working knowledge of characteristics of people with developmental disabilities, autism, mental illnesses and medical frailties.
• Practical applications of behavioral intervention techniques are essential.
• Ability and skills to establish rapport, build relationships and relate to the population served, and a variety of service disciplines (social workers, doctors, psychologists, teachers, nurses, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, dietitians) to observe behavior and communicate observations and recommendations effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to communicate effectively, work harmoniously and to understand the importance of the role in the achievement of meaningful days, quality of life and success for the individuals on their caseload.

Responsibilities

• Ensure implementation of each prescribed diet for breakfast, lunch, dinner and any substantial snack is prepared and served as scheduled, within the designated time frame, at the prescribed temperatures, and according to the prescribed individualized textures.
• Serve as a lead trainer in the kitchen setting, focusing on the meal program to help individuals build independence in skills such as meal preparation, dining, kitchen safety, food texturizing, and grocery storage.
• Provide specialized instructional training, activities and mentoring support staff in the kitchen, and dining environments.
• Assist teachers and active treatment coordinators in assessing individual strengths, needs, and preferences to support the development of effective training objectives and activities.
• Serve as a positive and supportive role model for the individuals and support staff.
• Assist individuals and support staff with learning how to conduct training programs or generalization of skills related to dining and domestic activities in the dining area.
• Maintain accurate documentation of progress.
• Prepare meals according to seasonal menus and individualized recommendations from registered dietitians, occupational therapist, speech therapist, physicians and other health professionals.
• Complete weekly grocery inventories to align with menu needs.
• Provide input for ongoing program needs and improvement.

Benefits

• The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation.
• The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED