Nutrition Consultant

Position Purpose

In collaboration with the Food Service Manager, design and implement nutrition services that are culturally and developmentally appropriate. Ensure that meals and snacks for Head Start and Early Head Start students meet the nutritional needs of and accommodate the feeding requirements of each child, including children with special dietary needs and children with disabilities. The Nutrition Consultant will perform administrative tasks in support of the food preparation process, including documentation, maintenance of menus and administration of CACFP grant. This position will meet with families regarding special diets, nutrition concerns, lactation support, and offer referrals to community health providers.

Essential Job Responsibilities: Performance Indicators

Internal Consultation

1. Respond to identified nutrition needs within the organization and provide expertise and support in specialty areas.
2. Use multidisciplinary team approach to develop and provide nutrition services to children, families, and staff.
3. Provide information, referrals, and coordinating efforts to link staff and families to appropriate community resources.
4. In collaboration with managers and other consultants, develop and maintain policies and procedures in specialty areas.

Training

1. Collaborate with Food Service Manager and Consultant Managers to provide nutrition training for Direct Service Staff.
2. Collaborate with Consultant Managers on nutrition education curriculum implementation.
3. As needed, assist with hiring of Food Service staff (Cooks/CFSW and substitute) 4) Provide new hire and on-going nutrition/CACFP/USDA training.
4. Attend regular kitchen staff meetings as needed.
5. Perform site visits to each classroom for a minimum of three times per year (evaluate based on USDA and Head Start Performance standards).
6. Create and facilitate nutrition education for parents, teachers and other staff, including staff training events, parent engagement events, and home visits.

Administration & Documentation

1. Maintain knowledge of USDA/CACFP, Head Start, and local health regulations compliance.
2. Ensure completion of all relevant nutrition and USDA/CACFP forms (income statements, enrollment forms, and special diet forms (meal preference form, medical statement form), classroom special diet reports.
3. Assist the Food Service Manager to collect and calculate claims for monthly reimbursement as needed.
4. Support grant development as needed.

Meal Planning & Misc.

1. Plan, develop and edit various menus.
2. Produce menus in English and Spanish, including nutrition information.
3. Assist in the development of recipes to accommodate special diets and monitor individual children’s needs.
4. Assist in sourcing local food options and food allocation of funds associated.
5. Attend meetings and trainings as required.
6. Other duties as assigned.

Community Nutrition Development

1. Collaborate with community nutrition partners related to nutrition education, project development, and expanding local food access.

All communications are potentially sensitive and subject to Head Start’s policy on confidentiality.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Nutrition or related field and Registered Dietician Nutritionist Certification (RDN).
• Minimum two years’ experience in sanitation/health standards, menu planning, and large quantity of food preparation.
• Strong computer and keyboarding skills, (word processing, database, spreadsheets, etc.)
• Valid Oregon Driver’s License and proof of auto insurance. CPR/First Aid certified and Food Handler’s Card Employment contingent upon the results of the following:
  • Enrollment in Child Care Division-Central Background Registry DMV check
  • Drug Screen
  • Physical Capacity Examination

Knowledge, Skills, and abilities

• Ability to exercise independent judgment and decision making.
• Strong Math ability and other food service/production documentation.
• Ability to meet deadlines, with excellent time management and organizational skills. Knowledge of the needs of diverse populations and special diets.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to articulate and write policies/procedures as they relate to Food Service.
• High level of accuracy and attention to details. Frequent sitting for long periods of time.
• Frequent repetitive motion with hands, use of computer keyboard, telephone, filing, and food preparation activities.
• Must be coachable.
• Occasional standing and walking (average 10′ – 15′) in kitchen areas.
• Frequent driving involves shopping for supplies and special diets, deliveries, training, etc.
• Ability to prepare educational materials and to train large and small groups as well as individuals.

Physical/Mental Abilities and Processes

• Frequent sitting for long periods of time.
• Frequent repetitive motion with hands, use of computer keyboard, telephone, filing, and food preparation activities.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, making decisions in the absence of Food Service Manager, ensures efficient operation of the kitchen.
• Occasional standing, stooping, bending, reaching, and lifting up to 25 lbs. in office and kitchen environment.
• Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.

Position Information

Approx. weeks TBD

Supervised by Head Start/Early Head Start Director

This job description approved by PC on: June 2026

Head Start of Lane County is an EEO Employer.

Head Start of Lane County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.