Future Opening: Nutrition Services Support Specialist

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance

Job Title: Nutrition Services Support Specialist
FLSA Classification: Non- Exempt
Supervisor: Nutrition Services Manager
Pay Grade: EHS Scale, Grade 2; Step depending on experience and qualifications
Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; 222 Day Calendar Employee, Hours may vary based on program needs

 

Position Summary

The Nutrition Services Support Specialist supports the daily work of EOAC’s Head Start and Early Head Start nutrition program. This position helps make sure children receive safe, nutritious, well-prepared meals on time and in the right portions. The role supports accurate CACFP documentation, food safety, kitchen operations, inventory, and meal-service coverage when staffing needs arise.

This work supports EOAC’s larger commitment to helping children and families move toward stability. Reliable meals, safe food handling, accurate records, and respectful teamwork help children learn, help classrooms run smoothly, and give families confidence that their children are cared for well each day.

Connection to EOAC's Work

Every EOAC position contributes to the agency’s mission, values, and strategic plan. This position supports EOAC’s early-learning work by helping protect children’s health, reduce classroom disruptions, and maintain the daily systems that families depend on.

·        Put people first by helping children receive safe, appealing, and appropriate meals.

·        Act with integrity by completing records accurately and following CACFP and food-safety requirements.

·        Work together by supporting the Nutrition Manager, kitchen staff, classroom staff, transporters, and site teams.

·        Focus on results by helping maintain uninterrupted meal service, accurate documentation, safe kitchens, and reduced waste.

Key Outcomes

·        Children receive meals and snacks that are safe, properly portioned, and served on time.

·        CACFP records, temperature logs, meal production records, and inventory paperwork are complete and ready for review.

·        Kitchen practices support food safety, sanitation, and health requirements.

·        Kitchen and classroom staff receive practical support so meal service stays consistent.

·        Food and supplies are handled carefully to reduce waste and protect program resources.

·        Nutrition Services contributes to a reliable, caring Head Start experience for children, families, and employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

CACFP Documentation, Compliance Support, and Quality Assurance

·        Review and maintain daily meal records, including meal production records, temperature logs, inventory paperwork, and other required nutrition documentation.

·        Check records for completeness, accuracy, and timely correction so they are ready for reviews, audits, monitoring visits, and inspections.

·        Ensure meal production records are completed using the USDA Food Buying Guide or other approved guidance.

·        Organize nutrition records and assist the Nutrition Manager with CACFP reviews, health inspections, and monitoring visits.

·        Identify documentation errors, missing information, or potential compliance concerns and communicate them promptly to the Nutrition Manager.

·        Complete required CACFP annual training and follow current CACFP procedures.

Kitchen Operations and Meal Service

·        Support daily kitchen operations so meals are prepared according to approved menus, recipes, portion sizes, and program expectations.

·        Monitor food quality, meal presentation, and portion sizes.

·        Help ensure meals and supplies are ready and delivered to classrooms or program sites on time.

·        Work with food transporters and site staff to support timely delivery, service, and communication about meal needs.

·        Assist with preparing and distributing supplies for classrooms and program sites.

·        Provide support to kitchen staff and provide kitchen coverage at Head Start and Early Head Start locations when staffing shortages occur.

·        Provide practical guidance to kitchen staff regarding food preparation, food safety, portion sizes, sanitation, and required documentation.

Food Safety and Sanitation

·        Help maintain clean kitchen equipment, food preparation areas, storage spaces, and work areas.

·        Monitor food temperatures, storage practices, and food-handling procedures to help prevent food-safety issues.

·        Support proper handling of leftovers and ensure food is rotated and stored correctly.

·        Follow health, safety, sanitation, and program procedures at all times.

·        Report food-safety, equipment, sanitation, or kitchen-readiness concerns to the Nutrition Manager promptly.

Inventory and Supply Support

·        Help maintain food and kitchen supply inventories.

·        Report supply needs and assist with ordering food and supplies through the Nutrition Manager.

·        Help ensure food and supplies are stored properly, labeled when needed, rotated, and used responsibly.

·        Support efficient use of program resources by helping reduce waste and avoid unnecessary shortages.

Teamwork, Communication, and Daily Problem Solving

·        Work respectfully and cooperatively with the Nutrition Manager, kitchen staff, Site Managers, classroom staff, transporters, and other EOAC employees.

·        Communicate clearly about meal service needs, schedule changes, missing information, supply concerns, or kitchen issues.

·        Support a positive team environment, especially during busy meal-service times or staffing shortages.

·        Help solve practical problems that could interrupt meal service, while escalating concerns that require the Nutrition Manager’s direction.

·        Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all work with staff, children, families, and program records.

Core Competencies

·        Accuracy and follow-through: Completes records carefully, checks work, and follows up on corrections.

·        Food service reliability: Helps meals be prepared, delivered, and served on time.

·        Safety and sanitation: Follows food-safety, sanitation, and health requirements consistently.

·        Teamwork: Works well with others and supports a calm, respectful, and helpful work environment.

·        Problem solving: Notices issues early, communicates concerns, and helps find practical solutions.

·        Mission focus: Understands that nutrition services support children’s health, classroom stability, family trust, and EOAC’s larger purpose.

Knowledge and Skills

·        Knowledge of food preparation and kitchen operations.

·        Understanding of food safety, sanitation, and health regulations.

·        Basic understanding of CACFP meal requirements and documentation preferred.

·        Ability to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment and support multiple priorities.

·        Strong organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.

·        Ability to complete paperwork accurately and maintain organized records.

·        Ability to work well with others and support a positive team environment.

·        Ability to travel between program sites as needed.

Qualifications

·        High school diploma or equivalent required.

·        Minimum of 2-4 years of experience in food service, institutional cooking, or large-scale meal preparation preferred.

·        Experience in a school, childcare, Head Start, or similar food-service environment preferred.

·        Must successfully pass required background checks, including criminal history clearance and drug screening in accordance with agency requirements.

·        Food Manager Certification required, or ability to obtain within 5 days of hire.

·        Adult and Pediatric CPR/First Aid Certification required, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.

·        Valid Texas driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel between program sites as needed.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

·        Ability to stand for extended periods during kitchen operations and meal preparation.

·        Frequent bending, kneeling, stooping, twisting, and reaching while working in kitchen areas.

·        Frequent hand and wrist movement related to food preparation and kitchen duties.

·        Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull items weighing up to 50 pounds.

·        Ability to work in hot, cold, and fast-paced kitchen environments.

·        Ability to travel between Head Start and Early Head Start sites as needed.

Other Duties

This job description is not intended to list every duty, responsibility, or qualification associated with the position. The Nutrition Services Support Specialist may be assigned additional duties by the Nutrition Manager or program leadership as needed to support Nutrition Services, Head Start operations, and EOAC’s mission.

Compensation: $34,628.11 - $36,256.49 per year

Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

At Economic Opportunities Advancement Corporation, we are committed to fostering a workplace that values individual talent, professional excellence, and opportunity for all. We recognize that a variety of skills and experiences contribute to success in this role. If you believe your abilities align with the responsibilities of this position and our mission, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to investing in the growth of our employees and welcome applicants who are eager to contribute to our work serving the community.

I hereby affirm that all information provided in this application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, and understand that any deliberate falsification,  misrepresentations, or omissions of fact may be grounds for rejection of my application or dismissal from subsequent employment.

I authorize the references listed on the previous page to give you any and all information concerning my previous employment and any pertinent information they may have, personal or otherwise, and release all such parties from liability for any damage that may result from furnishing same to you.

I understand as part of the hiring process, EOAC may obtain criminal history record information on individuals it intends to employ, as required by applicable federal, state, and local laws. This includes compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) (15 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq.), and Texas Labor Code Chapter 411 (governing access to criminal history records from the Texas Department of Public Safety). By applying for this position, I consent to a background check, which may include criminal history information, as part of the employment process. EOAC does not discriminate against applicants based on criminal history unless such information is directly related to the job, as permitted by law. 

For nearly 60 years, the Economic Opportunity Advancement Corporations (EOAC) has helped families across the Heart of Texas overcome barriers and find hope. Our programs provide relief when it’s needed most — and create pathways to long-term stability. Whether it’s early childhood education, job training, utility support, or emergency assistance, we meet people where they are with compassion and dignity.