Child Nutrition Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

About KIPP Texas Public Schools

KIPP Texas Public Schools is a free, public charter school network with more than 45 Pre-K - 12 schools across Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. With over 30 years in Texas, we work together with our families and communities to prepare students for college, career, and beyond! Our schools provide a high-quality, well-rounded education built on academic success and personal growth, where all students learn and thrive in a productive, safe, and joyful way!

As one of the earliest charter networks in Texas—founded in Houston in 1994 and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018—we hire dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with an unyielding belief that every child will succeed. Join a Team and Family with an unwavering commitment to creating classrooms, offices, and communities rooted in academic success and joy. If you are passionate about joining a mission-driven community that wants every child to "run to school," the KIPP Texas Team and Family is for you!

KIPP Public Schools is a national network of public charter schools that prepares students with the skills and confidence to create the future they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 278 schools with nearly 16,500 educators and 190,000 students and alumni.

The Child Nutrition Specialist works as a part of the KIPP Texas Public Schools Cafeteria Team to prepare and serve breakfast, lunch and supper for all students at their assigned campus. The Child Nutrition Specialist will work effectively in the cafeteria/kitchen or where designated by the Child Nutrition Site Supervisor. The Child Nutrition Specialist will help  to create a warm and friendly atmosphere to enhance the student’s meal time experience. This position will efficiently handle the sale of food, and to prepare an accurate, balanced tabulation sheet for Child Nutrition accounting purposes.This position must have a firm understanding of HACCP principles, general nutrition and food preparation. This position will abide by the policies, procedures, and standards for physical and food safety, freshness and sanitation.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Know, understand, and assist in implementing the requirements of the Child Nutrition Program.

• Work on the serving line when necessary to ensure quick, smooth meal services.

• Comply with Health Department Codes for food service.

• Comply with all safety measures and regulations throughout the cafeteria and kitchen and report any injuries or unsafe conditions in the workplace to the Child Nutrition Site Supervisor.

• Support the Child Nutrition Site Supervisor with all kitchen and cafeteria duties.

• Carefully prep and prepare products according to the recipe.

• Ensure the quality, taste and presentation of all prepared items.

• Use safety precautions relative to working with food service equipment and materials.

• Firm understanding of FIFO and the Temperature Danger Zone.

• Follow established HACCP food safety, cleaning and maintenance procedures.

• Maintain the cleanliness of the kitchen and cafeteria area.

• Operate dish machines to company and manufacturer specifications.

• Use proper measurements of detergent and sanitizer in the dish machine. 

• Support all efforts to recycle and compost.

• Store stock in an efficient and safe manner.

• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma

• Food Handler certification required 

• One (1) year experience in food and hospitality related role (preferred)

• Experience in school-based Child Nutrition (preferred)

• Experience in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and fast-growing organization (preferred)

COMPETENCY AND SKILLS:

• Ability to communicate professionally, both written and verbally with team and management.

• Must be self-motivated and able to problem solve effectively.

• Possess an entrepreneurial spirit, is proactive and flexible, and is willing and able to play different roles in the team in order to meet the varied and constant needs of the students.

• Model positive and healthy character traits and habits, such as being consistent and understanding.

• Fundamental understanding of sanitation and cleanliness.

• Unquestioned integrity and commitment to the KIPP Texas Public Schools mission and KIPP Texas Public Schools community.

Physical Requirements: 

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The person in this position needs to be able to move about inside and outside the school throughout the workday.

• The candidate is expected to attend conferences, meetings and training sessions both virtually and in person within the Region. 

Additional Requirements:

• Reliable transportation is needed for travel between campuses

• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.

• Work with frequent interruptions.

Work Environment: 

• Reports to school or central office site Monday - Friday

• Typical school/office environment with frequent interruptions.

Travel Requirements: 

Minimal travel: May travel to other school sites or regional offices for professional learning, meetings and other work related activities.

What We Bring to the Table: 

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage options for employees and their families. 

• Competitive vacation and flexible paid time off (PTO) policies.

• Paid family leave.

• Flexible spending account or high-yield HSA.

• Employee assistance programs. 

• KIPP also offers the following employee-paid benefits: legal plans, LifeLock identity protection, life insurance and disability insurance.

EEO: 

KIPP Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP Texas ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact the Talent Team.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job duties. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.