Assistant Director of Child Nutrition

Primary Purpose

The Assistant Director of Child Nutrition supports the Director in the overall leadership and administration of the district's Child Nutrition Program (CNP), with a primary focus on daily operations, personnel management, and program safety. This role is responsible for coordinating and monitoring campus-level food service operations to ensure efficiency, compliance, and consistency across all sites. The Assistant Director plays a critical role in managing and evaluating daily operational systems to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and program integrity.

Minimum Qualification

Education/Certification:

• A Bachelor's degree in any academic major and at least two years of relevant school nutrition programs experience or an Associate's degree or equivalent educational experience with academic major in food and nutrition, dietetics, home and consumer sciences, food service management, nutrition education, culinary arts, business, or a related field or at least three years of relevant school nutrition programs experience.
• Eight hours of food safety training (completed not more than five years prior to employee's start date or within 30 days of employee's start date)
• Clear and valid Texas driver's license
• Candidates must have a satisfactory outcome of a fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50.00) paid by the employee.

Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of menu planning, food purchasing, and preparation of foods in food service environment
• Ability to conduct on-site inspections of food service facilities districtwide
• Ability to manage budget and personnel
• Ability to implement policy and procedures
• Ability to interpret data
• Strong organization, communication, and interpersonal skills

Experience

• 3-5 years experience in food service management

Major Responsibilities and Duties

• Establishes quality standards for the presentation and service of food.
• Assists with designing and planning facilities that ensure high quality customer service, wholesome food production, and efficient workflow.
• Determines equipment needs and specifications consistent with program needs and budget
• Establishes standards for receiving, storing, and inventorying food and non-food supplies based on sound principles of management.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive nutrition education program using school cafeterias as learning laboratories.
• Performs and directs job related proficiency with the highest ethical integrity.
• Performs and directs with a commitment to promote a quality CNP that meets the nutritional needs of the customers served.
• Performs and directs with an overall nature that is committed to the goals and visions of the school district.
• Performs and directs appropriate communication skills with the customers served.

Sanitation, Food Safety, and Employee Safety

• Establishes procedures to ensure that food is prepared and served in a sanitary and safe environment.
• Develops and integrates employee safety regulations into all phases of the school foodservice operation.
• Establishes procedures and policies for risk management.
• Develops procedures to ensure the food production system provides safe nutritious food of high quality.
• Ensures operational procedures for efficient and effective food production and distribution.

Professionalism

The Educators' Code of Ethics is set forth in the Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community

• Rule §247.1 Purpose and Scope; Definitions
• Rule §247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators

Organization Management

• Employs management techniques to maintain an effective and efficient CNP.
• Implements policies and procedures to ensure the effective operations of CNPs.
• Implements personnel policies and procedures for the CNP according to local, state, and federal regulations and laws.
• Develops job performance standards that provide for performance improvement.
• Develops methods for hiring, training, and evaluating personnel that recognize education, experience, performance, and certification.
• Establishes procedures to implement employee contract agreements, progressive discipline, and formal grievances. Establishes standards for the professional development of the district's CNP personnel.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure environmental responsibility.
• Establishes a waste management system for the CNP that is effective, economical, and environmentally safe.

Communication and Community Relations

The assistant director promotes a positive tone for school and community relations through activities such as the following

• Supports the Director with communicating program goals, initiatives, and updates to district leadership, school staff, students, families, and the community.
• Conduct weekly campus visitations to serve as a critical liaison between cafeteria managers and campus principals, ensuring effective communication and operational alignment.
• Promotes the school nutrition program through effective communication strategies that increase awareness of healthy eating and available meal services.
• Collaborates with district departments, campus administrators, and staff to support nutrition education and program initiatives.
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with parents, community partners, local organizations, and public agencies to support the goals of the nutrition program.
• Provides clear and timely communication regarding menus, special dietary accommodations, nutrition standards, and program changes.
• Coordinates marketing and outreach efforts to encourage student participation in school meal programs.
• Represents the district's nutrition program at community meetings, events, and professional organizations.
• Responds to inquiries, concerns, and feedback from parents, staff, and community members regarding school nutrition services.
• Ensures communication materials and outreach efforts are inclusive and accessible to diverse populations within the district.
• Supports transparency by sharing program achievements, updates, and compliance with local federal and state child nutrition regulations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Maintain a flexible schedule before, during and after a traditional workday.

Professional Growth and Development

The assistant director participates in professional growth and development through activities such as the following:

• Maintains current knowledge of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDS), Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), and Texas Education Agency (TEA) related to school nutrition programs.
• Maintain full compliance with all state and regional mandates, including successful completion of all Region 13 mandatory training and scheduled meetings.
• Participates in professional development activities, workshops, conferences, and training related to school nutrition management, food service operations, leadership, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintains required certifications and credentials relevant to school nutrition leadership, including those recommended by the School Nutrition Association.
• Stays informed on emerging trends, best practices, and innovations in school nutrition, food safety, menu planning, and student wellness.
• Promotes a culture of continuous improvement within the nutrition services department by supporting staff training and professional learning opportunities.
• Collaborates with professional organizations, community partners, and regulatory agencies to enhance program effectiveness and compliance.
• Evaluates departmental training needs and develops staff development plans to ensure employees meet required competencies and standards.
• Encourages and supports continuing education for nutrition services staff to improve operational efficiency, food quality, and customer service.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provides technical assistance and training for school food service personnel, school administrators, and other school support staff.
• Develops guidelines for providing services in response to disaster or emergency situations.
• Implements management information systems that increase the productivity and efficiency of the school food and nutrition operation.
• Trains staff to use computer technology in individual school sites to improve management techniques.
• Manage administrative workflows, including the utilization of Skyward for timekeeping, data management, and personnel record maintenance.

Equipment

• Coordinates equipment maintenance, repairs, and inventory management.
• Knowledge of a computer, printer, calculator, multi-line telephone, copier, fax machine, postage machine, answering machine, scanner, shredder, and other equipment related to the position

Working Conditions

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Maintain emotional control under stress
• Work irregular and extended work hours
• Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress
• Position may require periods of sitting at computer or standing at copier
• Some lifting of boxes
• Use of vehicle is necessary to run errands and pick up supplies as necessary

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.