Registered Dietitian/ Nutrition Administrator

Action for Boston Community Development•Boston, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Registered Dietitian/Nutrition Administrator is responsible for the administration of high quality nutrition services as well as specialized food services within ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services, including staff and parent training, menu planning, meal planning and dietary counseling. The Registered Dietitian/Nutrition Administrator must ensure that services provided are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and that those services are able to support each child’s growth and school readiness. The Dietitian/Nutrition Administrator must collaborate with parents as partners in health and well-being of their children as well as medical practitioners when applicable. The Dietitian/Nutrition Administrator is responsible for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services; building an understanding of the program by communicating this mission to the center-base and child care partner staff and families and in the community at large. This position must comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, standards and policies, including those of the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts disability law (Chapter 766), Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN) and ABCD, Inc. Head Start & Children’s Services policies and procedures. All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children’s Services personnel who are paid to care for, or work with, children are MANDATED BY LAW to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 §§ 51A – 51G. Any staff member who suspects child abuse or neglect of a child must inform his or her supervisor immediately. The responsibilities of a particular position supports the Head Start/Early Head Start and family child care programs. The specific corresponding funding allocation will be documented on the personnel payroll authorization or change of status form. All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor Degree from an accredited school of dietetics and possess a current membership and registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association (RDN) required.
Minimum of 1-3 years of experience in nutrition services at Head Start, early childhood, or other community health agencies.
Demonstrated knowledge of and sensitivity to the educational and socioeconomic needs of the children, families and neighborhoods served.
Possess the ability to work and provide support to an ethnically and financially diverse population.
Demonstrated knowledge of child development, including health, safety, nutrition and special needs.
Demonstrate expertise of child and community health issues.
Excellent written and verbal communication as well as interpersonal skills.
Successful experience in working as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
Ability to deal with sensitive situations in a non-threatening and professional manner.
Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with staff and families.
Keyboarding skills, computer literacy and familiarity with various applications such as database, word processing, e-mail and internet.
Proven ability to keep accurate written records and documentation.
Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills.
Maintain knowledge of all federal, state, city and program laws, regulations, standards and policies.
Demonstrated skills in early education, family supports and collaboration.
Knowledge of neighborhoods served by the program and willingness to travel to all ABCD Head Start programs throughout the city of Boston.
Ability to work independently in an organized manner.
Ability to work sensitively with people of multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
Demonstrate professionalism at all times and seek from supervisor support as needed.
Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills.
Maintain professional boundaries in relationships with staff and families.
Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times.

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak relevant second language to the population served a plus.

Responsibilities

Provide ongoing guidance and support for all related nutrition services provided to children, pregnant women and families enrolled in the program.
Guide and lead the development and implementation of a menu and recipes that provides a variety of nutritional and appetizing foods to meet the needs of all children and families served, while considering their cultural backgrounds and individual needs.
Supervise and evaluate the Food Service Administrator and Nutrition Interns.
Assess the nutritional status and needs of children and pregnant women as well as provide training and counseling on diet modifications.
Identify new and/or recurring nutrition needs of enrollees and monitor the implementation of individual meal plans and diet modification.
Obtain and provide information to staff about major community nutritional issues that affect the children and families served, through the Community Assessment, Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC) and local health departments. Actively work with staff and other agencies to remedy problems identified.
Develop and monitor the provision of special diets for children with documented food allergies or other feeding problems or special nutritional needs, consulting with children’s doctor and parents as necessary.
Ensure children with disabilities who are in need of adaptive feeding techniques or utensils are provided with necessary resources.
Assist in identifying and monitoring vendors for food services and equipment.
Provide training and technical assistance to staff on maintaining records of the Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP) as needed.
Monitor and assess information collected on children and pregnant women, these include but are not limited to blood work, heights, weights, and nutrition questionnaire.
Provide training and technical support to staff in assessing nutritional needs, creating meal plans and diet modifications as needed.
Assist in the oversight of the kitchens and equipment within ABCD Head Start occupied facilities.
Participate in community nutrition and health services related projects, work groups and initiatives which may be assigned.
Conduct ongoing monitoring of individual meal plans and diet modifications, evaluate the information collected, share results and make recommendations accordingly.
Assist in the preparation of the application with USDA and monthly claims for reimbursement for meals.
Participate in the coordination of the program’s annual self-assessment as directed by program leadership.
Provide ongoing support to the food service staff/food provider by monitoring the implementation of the menus, recipes and Food Service Policy.
Assist and monitor food service staff in specialized food products, food substitution, preparation, service and storage; provide training and technical assistance as needed; and, assist staff, as requested, in maintaining records for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) as well as assisting in modeling proper food preparation when needed.
Work with education central staff to develop and implement appropriate nutrition activities within the lesson plans as well as ensure that: foods are an integral part of the total education program; mealtime atmosphere is conducive to socialization and development; meals are served family style; and, that the quality, quantity and size of food served is appropriate to the ages of the children and in compliance with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
Participate in the agency's Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC).
Conduct ongoing monitoring to ensure implementation and purchase of special dietary items based on meal plans as well as supplies needed.
Review all food expenses and special requests related to diet modification plans.
Participate in the selection of food service staff and assists in the training, evaluation and problem solving of food service personnel needs.
Monitor and audit USDA enrollment packages and classroom compliance of family style meals and all other USDA requirements.
Create and implement a training plan for staff and parents on nutrition-related topics.
Work collaboratively with parents and staff to ensure there is accurate implementation of any nutritional needs identified.
Assist in the creation and implementation of centralized systems to ensure proper documentation and collection of information for all nutrition services provided.
Establish and maintain relationships and collaborations with nutrition agencies as well as other community health agencies and partners.
Respond to requests (phone, email and written) from staff and parents related to children nutritional needs/concerns.
Actively participate in a multidisciplinary team approach to provide nutrition services to children, families and staff.
Create and update required nutrition related postings.
Responsible for planning, monitoring and evaluating the daily routine of interns.
Maintain and monitor a comprehensive record-keeping system through documents and through a database system.
Maintain statistical data as requested by the ABCD Head Start administration and in accordance with federal and state regulations.
Maintain and document ongoing contact with staff and parents through phone, e-mail, and bi-monthly site visits.
Assist with administrative needs as requested.
Perform other related duties as assigned from time to time.