Dietary Technician

GOEBEL FIXTURE COMPANY; Thomasville (NC); On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

SRCAA is seeking a Dietary Technician for Head Start/Early Head Start in Thomasville, NC. You will prep, cook, and serve meals and snacks, maintain clean food service areas, and ensure compliance with nutrition standards.

You will support safe, healthy eating habits, collaborate with center staff and families, and assist with training and reporting as required. This full-time, non-exempt role requires a high school diploma and ServSafe.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 2 years experience in food preparation.
• ServSafe certification required or obtainable within timeframe.
• Knowledge of Child Nutrition Guidelines and Head Start Performance Standards.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and cook nutritious meals and snacks for Head Start children.
• Serve meals and snacks according to program guidelines.
• Maintain food service areas and equipment to health standards.
• Ensure compliance with CACFP requirements and licensing rules.
• Complete monthly nutrition and CACFP reports and submit on time.

Skills

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

2+ years experience in food preparation

ServSafe certification

Job description

• Location 416 Duke Street,Thomasville, NC, 27360-4945,United States
• Base Pay $15.00 / Hour
• Employee Type Non Exempt FT
• Required Degree High school

Description

Dietary Technician – Head Start/Early Head Start

Department: Head Start / Early Head Start
Reports To: Center Manager
Status: Non-Exempt
Schedule: Hourly

Position Purpose

Under the direction of the Health & Nutrition Coordinator, the Dietary Technician is responsible for providing nutrition and food service support to Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms. This position prepares, cooks, serves, and stores meals and snacks; maintains food service areas and equipment; and ensures compliance with applicable nutrition standards, health and sanitation regulations, agency policies, and Head Start Performance Standards.

The Dietary Technician supports a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment for children by promoting healthy eating habits, following active supervision practices, supporting continuity of care, and working collaboratively with center staff, families, and community partners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain compliance with agency policies and procedures, Head Start Performance Standards, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirements, and applicable North Carolina licensing and sanitation regulations.
• Prepare and cook nutritious meals and snacks for Head Start and Early Head Start children, including breakfast and lunch, according to approved menus.
• Serve meals and snacks in accordance with program guidelines and direction from the Health & Nutrition Coordinator.
• Follow established menus and dietary requirements to meet the individual nutritional needs of all children, including children with disabilities, food allergies, and other dietary restrictions.
• Maintain appropriate food, kitchen, and supply inventories and submit required inventory documentation to the Transportation & Inventory Manager.
• Ensure proper food handling, storage, preparation, and service practices are followed at all times.
• Maintain food preparation, storage, service, and dining areas in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition.
• Properly operate, clean, sanitize, and maintain food service equipment in accordance with applicable health and safety standards.
• Complete accurate monthly nutrition and CACFP reports and submit them to the Center Manager within established deadlines.
• Collaborate with the Center Manager and teaching staff to help children develop an understanding of nutrition, healthy foods, and positive eating habits.
• Support a culture of safety through active supervision and adherence to established health and safety practices.
• Assist with staff and parent training as requested.
• Attend required staff meetings, professional development activities, in-service trainings, workshops, conferences, and parent meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and/or Head Start Director.

Compliance and Reporting

• Maintain compliance with agency policies and procedures, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Head Start Performance Standards, and applicable North Carolina Child Care Rules and Regulations.
• Support and monitor services that promote program quality and ongoing compliance with Head Start requirements.
• Immediately report suspected or known child abuse or neglect, whether witnessed or otherwise made aware, to the Center Manager and appropriate supervisor and/or Head Start Program Director in accordance with agency policy and applicable law.
• Maintain required training and professional development hours through agency training, in-service programs, workshops, conferences, and other required activities.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to improve operations, streamline processes, and provide quality service.

Environmental Health and Safety

• Maintain a safe, clean, healthy, and productive work environment.
• Follow North Carolina sanitation requirements, including proper cleaning of floors and food service areas, appropriate waste disposal, maintaining required water temperatures, and sanitizing equipment and surfaces.
• Demonstrate knowledge of proper procedures for preparing and using sanitizing solutions.
• Follow center safety procedures and participate in required emergency and safety activities, including fire and tornado drills, fire extinguisher inspections, and fire inspections.
• Follow the agency's emergency preparedness plans and procedures.
• Promote and maintain safe food handling practices at all times.

Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA)

• Support the center's recruitment efforts and activities to help maintain full enrollment.
• Work collaboratively with center staff to promote awareness of Head Start and Early Head Start services within the community.

Parent and Community Engagement

• Collaborate with the Center Manager and Family Development Specialist to support center recruitment activities and community outreach.
• Promote positive relationships with families and encourage parent and family engagement in program activities.
• Support opportunities for families and community partners to participate in activities that promote children's health, nutrition, and well-being.

Professional and Ethical Responsibilities

• Maintain professional conduct and adhere to agency, program, and applicable state and federal policies and regulations.
• Participate in and complete an individualized professional development plan and maintain required credentials and certifications. Renewal of required credentials may be a condition of continued employment.
• Maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professionalism in interactions with children, families, coworkers, and community partners.
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Attend out-of-town conferences, trainings, and professional development activities as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least two (2) years of experience in food preparation, preferably in a child care, school, institutional, or other quantity-food setting.
• Current ServSafe certification or ability to obtain certification within the required timeframe.
• Working knowledge of Child Nutrition Guidelines and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to follow menus, dietary requirements, food safety procedures, and established policies and regulations.
• Ability to work effectively with children, families, staff, and community partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) or more years of experience in quantity food preparation.
• Training or education in child nutrition, food service, or a related field.
• Current ServSafe certification.
• Working knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and Child Nutrition Guidelines.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Requirements

Qualifications:
Minimum: High School diploma (or equivalent) with 2 years of experience in food preparation and possess a ServSafe Certification. Good written and oral communication skills and working knowledge of Child Nutrition Guidelines and Head Start Performance Standards.
Preferred: High School diploma (or equivalent), good written and oral communication skills and position working knowledge of Child Nutrition Guidelines and Head Start Performance Standards, valid driver’s license & reliable transportation. Training in child nutrition with 3 years’ experience in quantity food preparation and ServSafe Certification.

Summary

SRCAA is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff… We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.