Operations / Administration School Nutrition Program Manager
Job Description
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
The Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) is a statewide charter school authorizer whose mission is to foster high-quality public-school choices offered through charter schools, particularly schools that are focused on closing the achievement gap for at-risk students. Governed by a board of nine members appointed by the Governor and Commissioner of Education, CSI currently serves a diverse portfolio of 40 schools across the state of Colorado serving over 18,000 PK-12 students. CSI is uniquely positioned to serve and promote charter school innovation in communities throughout Colorado and to be a leader in improvements in authorizer practices. CSI aspires to continue growing the quality and quantity of its portfolio of schools in Colorado in response to the need for high quality, innovative charter school options. Our organization is at an extraordinary point of opportunity and is poised to make additional systemic changes that will yield improvements within the portfolio’s overall student achievement.
The School Nutrition Program Manager will develop and implement CSI’s School Food Authority and oversee all aspects of the organization’s Child Nutrition Program (CNP) operation. The job functions include the planning, administration, implementation, and evaluation of the participating schools’ CNPs in order to meet the nutritional and educational needs of participating children. The School Nutrition Program Manager shall partner with participating schools and their communities to support the development and implementation of a sound nutrition assistance food program while following federal, state, and local guidelines. The School Nutrition Program Manager will work to provide an environment that supports healthy food habits while maintaining program integrity and customer satisfaction.
POSITION REPORTS TO: Director of Finance
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ROLE-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential duties of this position include the following. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned.
School Nutrition Program Oversight and Support
Oversee and support the Child Nutrition Programs of participating charter schools. Ensures participating schools implement the following program elements in accordance with State and Federal regulations and CSI board policy:
- Program Management
- Development of required bids and Request for Proposals (RFPs), for vended products and services to comply with federal procurement requirements.
- Implements efficient management techniques to ensure all records and supporting documentation are maintained in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and policies.
- Monitors child nutrition program KPI’s for effective and efficient management of financial and human resources.
- 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 food service operation.
- Establishes procedures and policies for risk management.
- Food Production
- 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.
- Nutrition and Menu Planning (for applicable school sites)
- Develops cost-effective menus that maintain nutrition integrity and meet all local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations.
- Assesses customer preferences, industry trends, and current research to plan menus that encourage participation in the CNP.
- Works with school staff, teachers, parents, and physicians to plan menus for children with special nutrition needs.
- Personnel Management
- Implements personnel policies and procedures for the CNP according to local, state, and federal regulations and laws.
- Establishes standards for the professional development of the district’s CNP personnel.
- Facility Layout and Design and Equipment Selection
- 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.
- Environmental Management
- Establishes a waste management system for the CNP that is effective, economical, and environmentally safe.
- Marketing and Communication
- Develops a marketing plan to keep the following stakeholders informed: students, parents, teachers, administrators, support staff, and community.
- Implements a plan for providing foodservice for special functions consistent with school policies.
CSI-Wide CNP Management
- General Management
- Develops and implements short and long-term goals through strategic planning for the CNP that supports the philosophy and policies of the CSI Board.
- Implements policies and procedures to ensure the effective operations of the schools’ CNPs.
- Develops a long-range program for establishing professional status for the CNP’s role in the education community.
- Reviews current research information to determine health and nutrition-related trends and foodservice management developments; and develops innovative program changes and expansions based on this information.
- Ensures CNP compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies.
- Communicate and monitor implementation of CSI Board of Education Policies and Administrative Procedures pertaining to Child Nutrition programs to ensure compliance. Develop, review, and update policies pertaining to Child Nutrition programs
- Systems administration
- Implements and administers all systems utilized by the CNP in order to increase and sustain the productivity and efficiency of the school food and nutrition operation.
- Trains school staff to use the systems and maximize their efficiency and effectiveness.
- Claims for State and Federal Reimbursements
- Organize, submit, and track monthly claims for schools participating in CNP in order to obtain state and federal reimbursement for schools.
- Process meal benefits eligibility applications and coordinate the Direct Certification process
- Manage the Verification process of Free and Reduced priced meal applications.
- Coordinate USDA commodity entitlements to ensure CSI schools adequately receive and utilize allotted amounts
CNP Professional Development and Training
- Provides technical assistance and training for school foodservice personnel, school administrators, and other school support staff
- Establishes role of the School Food Authority as a resource for expertise in the development and presentation of nutrition education materials and activities
- Participate in professional growth opportunities and attend meetings and seminars to remain current in related school nutrition topics and maintain CDE’s professional standards
- Facilitate start-up of Child Nutrition Programs at CSI schools not participating in Child Nutrition programs including providing information and training
DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ensure that all training, technical assistance, and compliance monitoring includes tiered processes and actions based on school performance.
- Provide school performance and operational evaluation for inclusion in the CSI Annual Review of Schools for all managed programs.
- Participate in the review of all charter applications as a member of the CSI Review Team.
- Provide operational support for the Director of Finance.
- In coordination with the Finance Department, provide technical assistance and validate financial data for state and federal reporting.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to partner with a diverse portfolio of schools, CSI staff, and external agencies
- Demonstrated ability to provide meaningful and effective training
- Flexible and able to multi-task; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment, while also driving toward clarity and solution
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate and manage multiple projects with many stakeholders adhering to strict deadlines
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Microsoft Excel
- A proven ability to proactively identify potential internal and external customer issues
EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of 3 years of managerial experience in a Federal Child Nutrition Program
- Experience in administration of a School Food Authority for a Child Nutrition Program (preferred)
- Experience with Charter Schools (preferred)
- Spanish language skills (preferred)
EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent education experience, with an academic concentration in specified field* OR Bachelor’s degree in any academic major and at least 5 years of experience in management of school nutrition programs
- *Specified Fields: food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts.
- Registered Dietitian (preferred)
- SERV Safe Certified (preferred)
- SNA Certification (preferred)
- School Nutrition Specialist (SNS) credentials (preferred)
JOB TYPE
- This is a full time (1 Full-Time Equivalent) position
SALARY RANGE
- Starting at $5,416-$6,700 per month. Commensurate with experience.
BENEFITS
As an employee of the Colorado Charter School Institute (State of Colorado), you will have access to a variety of benefits to include medical, dental, paid holidays, ample paid vacation and sick time, no-cost life and disability insurance (with additional paid options), Flex Spending and Health Savings Account options, and participation in the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA).
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk; sit; use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms using a keyboard and video display terminal. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Must be able to obtain a valid Colorado Driver’s license and must be able to travel to school sites.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment is a standard office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
NOTE
This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. CSI may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.
