IDEA Public Schools Careers

Role Mission: The CNP Special Diets Coordinator reports to the CNP Special Diets Manager and is a key supporter in achieving nutritional excellence across all 9 menu lines across 4 states. The primary function of this role is to support the CNP Special Diets Manager with processing, planning, and implementation of all meal accommodations for over 1000 students with special dietary needs district wide. This individual has experience in meal planning and menu writing and has a clear understanding of medical nutrition therapy as it relates to food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances and provides support for all Special Diet-related transactions, including outside communication with physicians, parents, school administration and staff. Furthermore, this individual supports CNP efforts for the district’s local wellness initiative, Healthy Kids Here (HKH), which encompasses whole child health through our 3 pillars of health (Food, Fitness, and Forever) by ensuring all IDEA campuses meet and consistently implement HKH measures to support maintaining IDEA Public Schools as the healthiest school district in the nation.

Location:

This is a full-time (remote/on-site) position based in Texas with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.

Travel Expectations:

Up to 30% travel

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities

Essential Duties:

-35%: Support the CNP Special Diets Manager in ensuring Special Diet accommodations, including menus for top 9 and other allergens, are available across all menu lines, Special Diet foods are identified and procured in each region and carbohydrate data for all menu items are compiled and distributed to campus Health & Wellness staff. 

-25%: Lead the maintenance of Special Diet tracking tools to ensure requests for students with identified disabilities, life-threatening allergies, and non-life-threatening food allergies/intolerances are fully processed within 3 weeks of receipt for all campuses. 

-20%: Support the CNP Special Diets Manager and CNP Nutrition Managers in maintaining accurate Special Diet data including: 1) menus that are compliant with state and federal guidelines, 2) updated nutrition labels and allergen information for all menu lines, and 3) all products procured through third parties are complete with cost analysis and other purchasing information.

-10%: Partner with CNP Culinary Team to identify recipes where modifications could be made to include special dietary considerations across all menu lines.

-10%: Assist in the development and delivery of comprehensive training sessions, ensuring that all CNP campus staff, Health Aides, and relevant campus administration receive in-depth instruction on a spectrum of Special Diet related topics including, but not limited to: Special Diet policies and procedures, food safety basics, cross-contamination prevention, and nutrition education.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

-Support & promote the child nutrition program at campus, regional, district, and national level by participating in various seasonal tasks that include, but are not limited to, 1) executing at least 3 campus visits per semester to ensure campus staff are providing necessary and appropriate Special Diet accommodations; 2) assisting with nutrition-related internal audits; 3) attending food shows to procure new Special Diet items based on documented accommodations throughout the district, and/or 4) presenting on Special Diet deliverables and initiatives on internal and external stages (i.e., national conferences, team meetings/step-backs/summits).

- Communicate with business partners including campus and national-level staff members and external vendors via phone, email, and Microsoft Teams

What You Bring – Competencies

Knowledge and Skills:

-Knowledge of local, state, and national policy for school meal programs i.e., National Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, and Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Community Eligibility Provision.   

-Knowledge of safety, security, and sanitation procedures and their implementation in food operations. 

-Knowledge of medical nutrition and diet therapies as related to Special Diets including but not limited to food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances. 

-Strong computer literacy, with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).  

-Strong mathematical skills and the ability to understand and interpret data (charts, graphs, etc.).  

-Ability to create and write menus that fall within or exceed USDA set guidelines. 

-Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.  

-Demonstrates strong problem solving, adaptability and flexibility skills. 

-Can work independently with little direction while seeking feedback from peers regularly. 

-Can handle stress well to meet time sensitive deliverables.  

-Able to work prolonged and irregular hours especially in the months leading to our first day of school.

-Planning, organization and follow up skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects sensitive to deadlines and changing environments.  

-Excellent written and verbal communication skills, presentation experience.  

-Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred.

-Ability to travel up to 20% of the time during the busiest parts of the year.   

Required experience:

- Education: Bachelor’s degree in dietetics, nutrition science, food management, culinary science, or similar
- Experience: 1-2 years of experience in school nutrition or equivalent preferred
- Experience: 1-2 years working for a school district preferred
- Experience: 1-2 years of menu planning preferred 

Preferred experience:

- Education: Registered Dietitian
- Education: Licensed Dietitian
- Education: Certified in Food Service Sanitation
- Education: Certified Food Service Manager
- Experience: PrimeroEdge Software

Physical Requirements:

-This is a remote position with 30% expected travel to other states/regions for campus visits, trainings, and to attend conferences.
-Ability to sit for long periods of time.
-Bending, crawling, stooping, standing, vision, lifting and walking
-The ability to safely climb ladders while carrying approximately 10 pounds

What We Offer:

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $58,484 and $67,257, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

Application process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Learn more about IDEA 

At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values