Food Services Specialist

Child-Parent Centers, Inc. • Tucson, AZ

7d • $15 - $15

About The Position

As a member of the Health and Nutrition Services (HNS) team and under the general direction of the Food Services Coordinator, the Food Services Specialist (FSS) provides oversight and support for food service operations across five clusters, 40 centers, and approximately 2500 children. The FSS ensures delivery of quality food service operations, meeting the nutritional needs of children, and compliance with all food program requirements. The FSS must maintain current knowledge of food service regulations of the Office of Head Start (OHS), Bureau of Child Care Licensing (BCCL), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and other State and local agencies. The FSS collaborates with the Food Services Coordinator to assess training needs, develop, and provide training for food service and other staff. The FSS observes, monitors, and evaluates the implementation of all food service, mealtime, and sanitation practices, and food service record-keeping. Provides guidance to ensure correction of non-compliance findings. Participate in menu and recipe development and product research. Assists in food and supplies purchasing and maintaining documentation. Organizes, reviews, and prepares CACFP monthly documentation in preparation for reimbursement claim submission. Provides coverage for center food service staff as assigned. Collaborates with and supports the Health and Nutrition Department and cross-department teams.

Requirements

• HS diploma or GED
• Minimum three years’ experience in food service.
• Must the able to complete and pass the Food Safety Manager Certification within one year of hire.
• Read, write, and speak English.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Office 365 (Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Submit a valid State of Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card prior to the first day of work.
• Must be able to travel to and from various sites as needed.
• Provide proof of immunizations: MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella), Tdap (adult Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis), and a clear Tuberculosis Self-Assessment.
• Able to pass a company paid physical exam prior to starting work.
• Able to pass a criminal background check.
• Must be able to prove the right to work in the USA by providing appropriate documents to complete the Federal I-9 form.
• Must possess or have the ability to possess and keep current certification in First Aid Training/CPR training including Infants and Children.
• Planning and Organizing
• Ethics and Integrity
• Attention to Detail
• Safety Focus
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Problem Solving
• Teamwork
• Self-Management
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Technology

Nice To Haves

• Possess an associate degree in nutrition, Food Services/Management or agreed equivalent that supports high quality implementation of our Food Services program as determined by the agency.
• Minimum of three years’ experience working in food service environment
• Minimum three years’ experience working in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and familiarity with CACFP regulations.
• Read, write, and speak Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Food Services Support: Assist Food Services Coordinator in the implementation of policies and procedures for the agency food service program to ensure that the School Lunch and Child and Adult Care Food Program standards and other regulatory requirements are met and that food costs are within budgetary limitations and to ensure compliance with state and county health sanitation and safety standards.
• Review meal satisfaction/menu evaluation data and participate in the planning of cycle menus based upon the specified CACFP meal pattern and needs of children, with consideration to budget, food appropriateness, and availability.
• Develop with Food Services Coordinator and Registered Dietician standardized recipes and production pages for use by food service personnel.
• Participate with Food Services Coordinator in the development and production of bilingual monthly parent menu/nutrition newsletter for distribution to centers.
• Assist in securing cook/foodservice personnel substitutes when necessary; may at times provide coverage for Food Service staff as needed and assigned by FSC.
• As assigned by supervisor, assist in interviews of food service applicants.
• Work with Food Services Coordinator to determine, develop, and provide the training needed by food service personnel or agency staff.
• Support centers to maintain safe and sanitary practices in kitchens and classrooms.
• As assigned by supervisor: Review and process local store purchase requests and vendor food orders to ensure the purchase of CACFP approved items only.
• Process supply orders for CACFP disposable and durable supplies; support the purchase and distribution of kitchen supplies and small equipment.
• In coordination with Food Services Coordinator, conducting CACFP required tri-annual Site Monitoring to assess and ensure compliance with state and county health department’s sanitation and safety standards, as well as CACFP requirements.
• Provide follow up debriefing and training/coaching to correct any areas of non-compliance.
• Supervision: Identify self-growth, development goals, and strategies for achievement with support and input from supervisor.
• Commit and participate in consistent and planned meetings with supervisors to further professional growth by seeking feedback, reflecting on and assessing own practice, and taking advantage of opportunities to improve skills and knowledge.
• Record-keeping, Monitoring, and Reporting: Provide site visit reports with the Food Services Coordinator to ensure proper follow-up.
• Ensure food service documentation is accurate and accessible per agency and CACFP retention requirements [electronic and/or paper] to be used by other staff or agency reviewers.
• Classify and maintain records for the CACFP.
• Manage, track and monitor data assigned by FSC.
• Leadership, Management, and Teamwork: Participate in the HNS department team and contribute to the decision-making process for strategic initiatives, professional development, budget, governance, and agency self-assessment.
• Participate in the food services team and contribute to the decision-making process for strategic initiatives, professional development, budget, governance, and agency self-assessment.
• Participate in the Comprehensive Services Unit team and contribute to the CS Unit Cross-Department Collaboration team in support of integrated policies, procedures and services.
• Maintain food service expertise including best practices, local, state, and federal initiatives through active membership in professional organizations and establishment of good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Link current research, resources, and program data to practice by discussing program quality issues and ways to advance practice.
• Identify and report food service-related challenges to supervisor; initiate plans for additional support, including cross-departmental teams as appropriate.
• Participate in on-going development and improvement of program policies and procedures.
• Participate in the Health and Nutrition Services Advisory Committee and other networking activities as assigned.
• Participate in the review and selection of vendors for food and milk.
• Participate in Comprehensive Services Unit meetings and activities.
• Responsibilities for all Child-Parent Centers, Inc.: Understand and model the agency's vision, mission, and philosophy within the agency and the community.
• Demonstrate approachability, ownership, accountability, and life-long learning.
• Use the agency's communication and problem-solving approach.
• Seek perspective of others.
• Identify emerging issues and contribute new knowledge.
• Work to de-escalate when emotions and stakes are high.
• Maintain professional behavior and relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Use agency systems and technologies to accomplish work.
• Maintain a high level of attendance to support ongoing service delivery.
• Recognize children's safety as the first responsibility of all staff and act swiftly to ensure no child is unsupervised.
• Implement agency policies and procedures for safeguarding confidential or sensitive information about employees and/or program participants.
• Restrict access to paper or electronic documents to those with a need to know.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Paid Leave - 26 paid holidays, 5 days paid vacation after one year and up to 20 days each year thereafter, and 8 days paid Personal leave first year, 9 days each year thereafter, up to 40 hours days paid Sick leave each year.
• Insurance benefits - dental, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Reimbursement Arrangements, Health Savings Accounts, PPO medical (3 plans), Vision, and Supplemental Life coverage for self, spouse, and child ($25,000 basic life and Accidental death and disability provided by employer)
• Retirement Plan - Agency contribution after years of services and hours eligibility criteria are met. Employee 401k deferral once eligibility is met.

What This Job Offers

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