Nutrition & Facilities Assistant

Benefits:

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

Job Title: Nutrition & Facilities Assistant
FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt
Supervisor: Nutrition Manager
Pay Grade: HS Scale, Grade 8; step depending on experience and qualifications

Position Summary
The Nutrition & Facilities Assistant supports the daily operations of EOAC’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs by assisting with nutrition services, facility cleanliness, sanitation, supply management, and operational support. This position helps ensure children and staff have safe, clean, organized, and supportive environments where learning and program services can take place successfully.
This role supports nutrition operations by assisting with meal service, maintaining required records, supporting inventory processes, and helping ensure compliance with USDA, CACFP, Head Start, and EOAC requirements. The position also supports center operations by maintaining clean and safe facilities, assisting with sanitation practices, completing routine cleaning tasks, and responding to facility needs as assigned.

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.
• Putting people first by helping ensure children have access to safe, nutritious meals and clean, healthy learning environments.
• Acting with integrity by maintaining accurate records, following sanitation standards, protecting confidentiality, and following program requirements.
• Working together by supporting the Nutrition Manager, center staff, classroom teams, and other EOAC employees to meet daily operational needs.
• Focusing on results by helping maintain reliable meal service, organized supplies, clean facilities, and safe program environments.

Key Outcomes
• Children receive meals and snacks that are delivered safely and on time to support daily meal service.
• Classrooms, kitchens, restrooms, playgrounds, and common areas are clean, sanitary, and ready for daily program operations.
• Nutrition records, meal counts, USDA documentation, inventory records, and other required program records are complete, accurate, and ready for review.
• Food, cleaning supplies, equipment, and program materials are organized, stocked, and available to support uninterrupted operations.
• Facility concerns, maintenance needs, and supply shortages are identified and communicated promptly.
• Nutrition and facility support services contribute to a safe, organized, and welcoming Head Start experience for children, families, and employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Nutrition Services
• Assist with daily meal service operations, including delivering meals, snacks, food supplies, and related materials to classrooms and designated program areas.
• Collect and remove meal service items, food containers, and related materials following meal service.
• Maintain required meal counts, USDA documentation, CACFP records, and other required nutrition program records.
• Prepare reports, correspondence, and documentation necessary to support food service operations.
• Maintain organized files, invoices, purchase orders, and inventory records.
• Assist with ordering, receiving, storing, and distributing food, cleaning supplies, and other program materials.
• Help ensure meals, food supplies, and service materials are available to support timely and consistent meal service.

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.

Facility Support
• Maintain the cleanliness, sanitation, and safety of classrooms, kitchens, hallways, restrooms, common areas, and playgrounds.
• Perform routine cleaning duties, including sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting, disinfecting, trash removal, and laundry.
• Ensure classrooms, restrooms, and designated areas remain stocked with necessary supplies.
• Maintain inventory of cleaning supplies and equipment and report replenishment needs to the supervisor.
• Perform minor maintenance tasks and respond to facility-related issues as assigned.
• Safely operate cleaning equipment and use cleaning chemicals in accordance with agency procedures and manufacturer guidelines.

Compliance, Safety & Teamwork
• Support compliance with Federal, State, USDA, Head Start, and EOAC regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Complete required training and certifications, including Adult and Pediatric First Aid and CPR, as assigned.
• Work respectfully and cooperatively with the Nutrition Manager, kitchen staff, Site Managers, classroom staff, transporters, and other EOAC employees.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Nutrition Manager to support EOAC's mission and operational needs.
• 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
• Understanding of food safety, sanitation, and health regulations.
• Basic understanding of CACFP meal requirements and documentation preferred.
• Ability to work well with others and support a positive team environment.
• Ability to work independently, follow written and verbal instructions, and exercise sound judgment.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications, data entry, and recordkeeping.
• Ability to safely operate cleaning equipment and use cleaning chemicals according to manufacturer and agency guidelines.
• Ability to perform routine cleaning, sanitation, laundry, inventory, and minor maintenance duties.

Qualifications
• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• One (1) year of custodial, food service, administrative support, or related experience preferred.
• Must obtain and maintain Adult and Pediatric First Aid and CPR certification.
• Valid Texas driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• May be required to transport food and supplies to support program operations.
• Must successfully complete all required background checks, drug screenings, physical examinations, and other agency requirements.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds and perform frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, standing, walking, and reaching.
• Must be willing to work occasional flexible hours to support program activities, special events, or emergency facility needs.

Physical Demands and Work Environment
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, reaching, and lifting throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to safely perform custodial, nutrition support, inventory, and facility-related duties.
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals, food preparation areas, and both indoor and outdoor work environments.
• May travel between EOAC program locations as needed.

Other Duties
This job description is not intended to list every duty, responsibility, or qualification associated with the position. The Nutrition & Facilities Assistant 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.