Dietitian

Memphis Shelby County Schools; Lauderdale Courts (TN); On-site; USD 59,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Shelby County Schools is seeking a Registered Dietitian for the Nutrition Services Department to develop, analyze, and maintain nutritious menus for students. The role ensures compliance with USDA regulations across all school nutrition programs and collaborates with district teams to meet nutrition guidelines and cost goals.

The incumbent will train staff, visit cafeterias, and oversee nutritional data, while supporting special dietary plans and wellness initiatives district-wide.

Qualifications

• RD or eligible for registration within 6 months of employment
• Master’s degree preferred; must meet CDR by Jan 1, 2024
• Bachelor’s in Food Service or Nutrition plus 6 years total education/experience
• SNS/ServSafe credentials preferred and helpful

Responsibilities

• Develops nutritious, cost-effective menus compliant with USDA programs
• Monitors and ensures regulatory compliance across programs
• Visits cafeterias and provides training on food safety and standards
• Collaborates with operational teams to meet nutrition guidelines and cost goals
• Provides technical expertise on food management and menu analysis
• Maintains nutrition databases and analyzes product profiles
• Assesses plans for students with special dietary needs and orders specialty items
• Develops relationships with vendors and monitors market conditions
• Prepares clear bid specifications to meet nutrition standards
• Leads marketing and nutrition education efforts within the district
• Serves as dietetic preceptor and supports ongoing professional development
• Participates in district health initiatives and wellness policy development

Skills

RD/eligible for registration

Menu development

Regulatory compliance

Vendor liaison

Training & staff development

Education

Bachelor’s in Food Service or Nutrition

Master’s degree preferred (CDR rule)

SNS/ServSafe credentials preferred

Tools

Menu planning system

USDA nutrient analysis software

Food management system experience

Job description

Purpose and Scope

The incumbent serves as the Registered Dietitian for Nutrition Services Department. Develops, analyzes, and maintains nutritious menus for students. Plans, coordinates and evaluates operational procedures and makes recommendations to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations for School Nutrition Programs.

Essential Job Functions

1. 1. Develops and ensures quality and consistency of nutritious, cost effective menus for the school district, charter schools and other contracted accounts that meet United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations for the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Afterschool Snack Program, At-Risk Afterschool Supper Program, PreK Breakfast, PreK Snacks, and Summer Food Service Programs.
2. 2. Reviews and monitors nutritional compliance information and food service program models to ensure compliance with State, Federal, local and USDA program regulations.
3. 3. Visits school cafeterias to monitor and ensure compliance with food service programs. Provides training to school nutrition employees, teachers, principals and staff to ensure conformance to regulations, program updates, and food safety and sanitation principles.
4. 4. Collaborates with Nutrition Services Operational teams to develop programs that meet nutrition guidelines, regulatory standards and district food cost goals.
5. 5. Provides technical expertise to school nutrition employees on the food management system related to maintaining menus, developing menu templates, reviewing nutrition product profiles, analyzing reports, and editing site-based cafeteria point of sale data.
6. 6. Maintains the nutritional database in the Menu Planning Module for the food management system and compares using the USDA approved nutrient analysis software.
7. 7. Assesses IEP and 504 plans for students that require modified nutritional needs, dietary restrictions and current health plans of students with special needs to develop nutritional counseling, dietary care plans, dietary modifications, food selection and menu preparation. Source and procure specialty food items as needed for students with special nutritional accommodations.
8. 8. Develops relationships with food and supply vendors, brokers, distributors and manufacturers to stay abreast of current school food service trends and seek new products. Maintains regular communication with vendors concerning forecasting, use of USDA commodities, monitoring price trends and market conditions regarding supply sources and product availability.
9. 9. Ensures that nutrition and quality standards for food items are met by developing clear, concise, and fair product specifications for bids.
10. 10. Exercises proactive leadership in promoting the District and Nutrition Services goals through marketing, communications, and social media.
11. 12. Develops nutrition education and marketing activities for school cafeterias and the school community; educates students and parents regarding healthy food choices through school trainings and community outreach partnerships.
12. 13. Plans and coordinates student taste testing to determine acceptability of new and current menu items.
13. 14. Collaborates with the Office of Coordinated School Health on District health and wellness initiatives by serving on the School Health Advisory Committee. Writes, facilitates and implements nutrition and health related grants and special projects. Collaborates with allied health and community organizations to implement food drives, health fairs, gardening projects, and student led nutrition initiatives. Assists in the development and implementation of the school district’s Wellness Policy.
14. 15. Serves as a Dietetic preceptor to dietetic interns enrolled in area colleges and universities.
15. 16. Continues professional growth and development by attending State and National meetings, trainings, seminars and conferences as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills; researches professional journals to maintain knowledge of current trends and legislation affecting areas of responsibility.
16. 17. Performs other related duties as assigned or directed.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Service, Nutrition, or related field of study, plus an additional two (2) years of related experience, or equivalent, for a total education and experience of 6 years. Must be a Registered Dietitian (RD) or eligible for registration within 6 months of employment. Must maintain national credentialing through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Master’s Degree in Nutrition, or other Food management related field preferred. Master’s Degree will be required by January 1, 2024 in compliance to the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requirements. School Nutrition Specialist (SNS), credentialed by the School Nutrition Association, Certified ServSafe Instructor /Proctor are preferred. (PROOF OF EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND/OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED)

Additional Job Details

The salary range for this position is $58,565.00 to $84,237.65. The application period will open on Friday, October 30 and close on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. CT. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE The district is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the district to provide adequate accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.