Child Care Food Program Specialist

Ecs4kids; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

403(b) with 5% match

EAP

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Career development

PSLF eligibility

Job summary

ECS4Kids in Florida is seeking a Child Care Food Program Specialist to ensure nutrition duties for Head Start, Early Head Start, and ECS Early Learning Centers are met.

The role emphasizes CACFP compliance, menu review, staff training, and collaboration with vendors and health officials. A degree in health or nutrition with 1–3 years experience is preferred, and RD/RDN is a plus.

This position requires local travel to multiple sites and a commitment to child welfare and program quality.

Qualifications

• Degree in health or nutrition with 1–3 years related experience preferred
• RD/RDN certification is a plus

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with Head Start, Early Head Start and CACFP contracts
• Coordinate with Food Service Vendors & DOH
• Process CACFP applications for assigned centers
• Monitor meals to CACFP regulations and Head Start standards
• Train staff on CACFP, DOH requirements, safety and nutrition
• Prepare and review nutrition reports and center nutrition materials
• Support children with allergies in obtaining appropriate food
• Attend HSAC and community meetings regularly

Job description

Description

ECS4Kids (formerly Episcopal Children’s Services) is a 2026 Top Workplace that honors young children’s immense potential by helping them enter school ready to learn. We cultivate lifelong learners by immersing children in enriching guided experiences and discovery-oriented approaches. Through programs like Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), Head Start, School Readiness, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR), and more, our dedicated professionals work with families and caregivers throughout Florida to promote children’s well-being. These enable us to strengthen key areas including motor development, cognitive development, social and emotional development, language and communication skills, and problem-solving skills.

Partner with us to help empower communities to rise above generational poverty with comprehensive early childhood education and holistic family support. We have career opportunities available in several counties throughout Northeast and Central Florida.

ECS4Kids offers a competitive benefit package which includes:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 403(b) plan with 5% employer match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Long-term & short-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Paid holidays
• Generous paid time off
• Career development
• Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Child Care Food Program Specialist is responsible for ensuring all nutrition responsibilities for Head Start, Early Head Start and ECS Early Learning Centers are met.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Responsible for ensuring compliance or reporting incidence of noncompliance with Head Start, Early Head Start and CACFP contracts.
2. Provide direct communication with Food Service Vendors & Department of Health.
3. Process and track the CCFP applications for assigned centers each fiscal year.
4. Complete day-to-day record keeping tasks required by the USDA.
5. Monitor meals in Head Start/Early Head Start a minimum of three times a year to ensure that they are meeting CACFP regulations and Head Start Performance Standards.
6. Train all new kitchen & center staff personnel annually and as needed on CCFP, DCF, DOH requirements pertaining to food purchasing, handling, CCFP requirements, safety & sanitation, civil rights, ECS Policies & Procedures, etc.
7. Accurately process all nutrition paperwork and reports as required.
8. Review menus for meal pattern accuracy.
9. Implement policies and procedures which address the identification of children’s nutritional needs, the design and implementation of nutritional services programs, meal service in center-based programs, family assistance with nutrition, and food safety and nutrition.
10. Complete on-site review monthly as needed. A minimum of one observation completed for each classroom/site quarterly.
11. Prepare and distribute nutrition materials for centers as needed.
12. Support parents in obtaining appropriate food for children with allergies.
13. Track & maintain accurate log of all children with food allergies & special dietary needs.
14. Ensure operational procedures for efficient and effective food production and distribution.
15. Secure food purchases for children with allergies or special needs and submit purchase orders as needed.
16. Develop nutrition education materials and educate parents, teachers and children in person on a regular basis (examples include food demos, meal planning on a budget, special needs diets, and fun child appropriate lessons).
17. Ensure all nutrition questionnaires for all HS/EHS files are reviewed and determine need for referral and/or follow-up.
18. Track growth assessments and follow-up as needed.
19. Attend all staff meetings, HSAC meetings & community meetings regularly.
20. Assist Director of Nutrition in health & nutrition initiatives within the agency.
21. Provide on-going support and technical assistance to staff and families in areas of nutrition.
22. Submit a contribution to Teacher Nutrition Newsletter quarterly.
23. All other duties as requested to maintain the success of ECS.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related marginal duties as required.)

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:

• This position reports to the Nutrition Manager.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Degree in health, nutrition or related field with 1-3 years related work experience preferred
• Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) a plus

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles of food management and their application to DOH
• Knowledge of nutrition services available to families.
• Knowledge of and commitment to governmental, educational and religious standards set forth by: Head Start/ Early Head Start, DCF, NAEYC, CDA, VPK, State Partnership of School Readiness, and any other standards to which the agency commits.
• Ability to track, monitor, synthesize and analyze data.
• Ability to perform with little direct supervision.
• Ability to work with other employees and the public in a tactful, diplomatic manner.
• Proficient in Microsoft office applications.
• Excellent written and oral skills and a willingness to share information.
• Ability to adjust to new situations resulting from new laws, decisions, or circumstances with the flexibility needed to adapt and operate.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile coverage
• Satisfactory Driving Record (as outlined in Vehicle Driving Policy)
• Complete 15 hours of in-service/professional development training hours each fiscal year (July-June)

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Works in an office and field environment
• Local travel to multiple sites is required
• Some night or weekend work may be required (trainings)

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction)
• Acceptable hearing (with or without correction)
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

(Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)

Background Requirements

A Level II Background Screening which consists of a local, state, and federal criminal check will be completed on all employees and any contracted employee position, intern position or volunteer position in which individuals have contact with children, have access to confidential information and / or are in a position of special trust. To learn more about the system used to conduct these checks, you can use this link - https://info.flclearinghouse.com/