ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Educare DC serves over 350 children from birth to five years – and their families – through our state-of-the-art center and through community partnerships. Building on the program foundations of Early Head Start and Head Start and accredited by NAEYC, Educare DC promotes school readiness by providing high-quality, comprehensive early learning programming for children who are historically underserved due to systemic racism, eliminating the opportunity gap often experienced by low-income communities. Educare DC is part of the 25-school Educare Learning Network that serves as a platform for broader change, inspiring high-quality programs in communities, improving public policies nationally and within each state, and demonstrating a comprehensive, research-based approach to the first five years of life and learning. Educare DC draws on a blend of private and public dollars, including federal childcare funding, Early Head Start, Pre-K, and other state and federal funding streams.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Child Nutrition Services Specialist coordinates components of the Head Start child nutrition program and USDA CACFP. This position must assess all enrolled children and families for nutritional needs. This position is also responsible for reviewing menus and creating special diets to accommodate children with specific dietary needs; coordinating food service operations; developing and overseeing nutritional training to staff and parents, through direct training, monitoring and technical assistance to programs systems and services as outlined in the Head Start
Program Performance Standards. The Child Nutrition Services Specialist should support teaching staff, Mentor Teachers, School Directors, and Comprehensive Services Managers in coordinating nutrition services for families and children, as well as active promotion and advocacy for children’s nutrition. The Child Nutrition Services Specialist will also perform nutrition assessments to determine nutritional needs and document this data in the ChildPlus portal.

EXPERIENCE AND ABILITIES

• At least three (3) years of experience in a child nutritionrelated position working directly with children and families.
• Experience working with a multidisciplinary team in a school setting
• Early Childhood/Head Start preferred.
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.
• Knowledge of OSSE CACFP licensing requirements.
• Experience collaborating with families and facilitating collaborative teaming between families, teachers and schoolbased family support staff.
• Ability to exercise professional judgment in making decisions.
• Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with parents, school personnel and community partners.
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in the Head Start/Early Head Start childhood population and its unique child nutritional needs.
• Use a computer and various software applications.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition, Public Health or related field of study

ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Clearance of background checks as required by local, state and federal regulations.
• Physical examination and diagnostic tests as required by local, state and federal regulations.
• Annual physical exam, drug screen, COVID 19 vaccination and TB test are required as a condition of continual employment.