Food Service Specialist

Food Service Specialist (Full Time)

Building Location: Ypsilanti Community Schools Hourly: $40,000/Annual

Ypsilanti Community Schools serves over 3,800 PreK-12 students across 11 school buildings in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The district offers a wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options for scholars. All Ypsilanti Community Schools team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all scholars in a safe and nurturing environment.

The Food Service Specialist works with the Finance Director to provide administrative and compliance support for the district's Food Service Department and serves as a key point of contact between the district, the contracted food service provider, school staff, and families. This position supports daily operations while assisting with oversight of vendor performance, ensuring compliance with state and federal child nutrition program regulations, and maintaining accurate documentation for audits and reporting.

The successful candidate will be someone who is comfortable working on-site in schools, assisting and supporting day-to-day food service operations. The individual will be responsible for ensuring that food service personnel operate in accordance with the MDE and federal guidelines.

Qualifications

Associate degree or higher required

Minimum of two years of administrative or clerical experience, preferably in a school district, public agency, or food service/nutrition program

Familiarity with USDA Child Nutrition Program requirements preferred

Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills with accuracy and attention to detail

Proficiency with the Google Platform (Docs, Sheets, etc.) and ability to learn district-specific software

Effective written and verbal communication skills for working with vendors, staff, families, and state agencies

Ability to handle multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and support compliance activities

Job Responsibilities

Serve as the district's primary administrative contact for the contracted food service provider

Assist in monitoring vendor compliance with contract terms, staffing levels, service standards, and USDA Child Nutrition Program requirements

Collect and review required documentation from the provider (menus, production records, staff training logs, safety/health inspection reports)

Provide professional development and on-site training as required by MDE guidelines

Support on-site compliance reviews by scheduling visits, gathering records, and assisting with inspections/audits

Maintain and organize all district food service records, including meal counts, free/reduced meal applications, verification documents, and related reports

Assist with preparing and submitting state and federal reports for child nutrition programs

Track invoices, reconcile billing with district accounts, and flag discrepancies in coordination with the business office

Respond to inquiries from parents, students, and staff regarding meal programs, account balances, and eligibility

Provide clerical support for procurement activities, bid processes, contract renewals, and program audits

Assist with communication among district leadership, school sites, and the food service provider to address service concerns and implement corrective actions

Maintain confidentiality of scholars, family, and vendor information in compliance with FERPA, USDA, and district policies

Perform other duties as assigned to support effective food service operations

Monitor after-school and summer meal service, days and times vary

Collect documentation for PreK-12 meal service and ensure accuracy

Coordinate with building administrators to collect meal service forms; ours may vary

Attend district events to collect meal service forms; hours may vary

Approved mileage will be reimbursed at the federal rate

Attend Michigan Department of Education seminars and trainings

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

Regular use of computers, phones, and standard office equipment

Daily travel to schools across the district to assist with site monitoring, audits, and provider meetings

Frequent verbal and written communication using phone, email, and in-person interactions

Daily use of office technology, including computers, printers, and phones

May occasionally lift or move materials or packages weighing up to 20 pounds

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Food delivery, food service as needed

Other duties as assigned

Terms of Employment

The Board of Education sets the contract, salary, and other terms. The applicant must agree to fully participate in all relevant training.

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in collaboration by the Director of Finance with input from the Food Service Director, in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of personnel.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Complete all sections of the online application at: Employment Link

Applicants must upload copies of the following documents: a letter of interest and a resume.

This job description outlines the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties. Ypsilanti Community Schools reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed.

The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, immigration status, sex (including sexual orientation or transgender identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any legally protected category not otherwise listed, (collectively, "Protected Classes"), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.