Nutrition Assistant

Job Details Description Position Purpose

Position is responsible for assisting the Lead Nutrition Specialist in carrying out various nutrition programs, including United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) programs.

Inspire Development Centers provides early Childhood Education (ECE) and social services to 3,110 children in center-based and home-based setting, at more than 25 Child Development Centers (CDC) throughout the State of Washington. At these sites, Inspire employs over 1,000 staff on a $52 million annual budget. Inspire provides these services under various federal and state funded programs with differing regulations and stipulations, which must be coordinated and adhered to, including, but not limited to:
Regional Head Start (RHS), Migrant Seasonal Head Start (MSHS), Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), and Early Head Start (EHS). The organization is required to meet an annual quota of non-federal share (in‑kind) funds. A large majority of children’s first language is Spanish. Over the past 40 years, Inspire has strategically and incrementally increased its capacity to address the rapidly changing needs of its families and communities.

Nutrition Assistant reports to the Lead Nutrition Specialist. Although supervision is not a regular part of the job, incumbent may assist in providing training and technical assistance to employees and Center Managers.

• Training & Technical Assistance:
  Tasks include providing training and technical assistance to Center staff regarding accurate and timely data entry into the meal service database, online food ordering system, and other databases used in food procurement.
• Recordkeeping:
  Tasks include processing, verifying and maintaining accurate and legally compliant documentation relating to nutrition and food services programs, including, but not limited to: nutrition site visits, correspondence, nutrition referrals, USDA/CACFP materials/information and confidential information regarding children with specialized dietary needs. Duties may include participating in file consolidation and audit procedures, including gathering records from other departments and/or employees. Duties also include maintaining accurate meeting minutes.
• Reporting:
  Tasks include compiling reports and verifying data from the meal service database for accuracy, including, but not limited to attendance/meal service counts, nutrition referrals, site visits, USDA/CACFP and Sysco budget reports.
• Administrative Support:
  Tasks include drafting documents and correspondence, typing menus, updating Food Service Manual, WSMC Recipe book, and meeting minutes.
• Confidential Information:
  Maintain confidential information, which includes, but is not limited to: health records, and participant personal and income information.
• In-Kind Contributions:
  Responsible for contributing in any procedure or activity that fosters the contribution of in‑kind funds, through the request of goods, services, cash donations, and/or through encouraging professional, community members and parents to volunteer time to the program.

Incumbents are required to demonstrate knowledge and abilities in these areas:

• AA degree in office administration or a closely related field, with two (2) years experience in an administrative assistant, data clerk or secretary role; or (*)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Knowledgeable in various training techniques and ability to conduct training for various learning/communication styles;
• Knowledge of office administration procedures;
• Ability to learn new tasks quickly and efficiently;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines;
• Ability to read, write and interpret documentation;
• Strong customer service focus;
• Ability to work with culturally diverse employee population;
• Proficiency with personal computer, including Microsoft Office; and
• Accurate data management, documentation and recordkeeping skills.

These skills and abilities are typically acquired through (*…