Reports to Director of Programs/Director of Head Start
Summary
The Nutrition Consultant position is a contracted position and is contingent upon funding availability. This person is
responsible for coordinating nutrition services across all program options (Home Visiting, Center Based, and Family Child
Care Home).
Essential Job Duties
Other duties may be assigned.
1. Provide input into identification of nutritional needs of enrolled children (Birth-5) and families, including
prenatal clients.
2. Participate in obtaining and assessing nutrition-related assessment data (height, weight, hemoglobin/ hematocrit)
on individual children as necessary.
3. Provide recommendations regarding special dietary restrictions or preferences of children and families.
4. Provide consultation to staff and families regarding variety in food choices with respect for individual preferences
and economic/cultural considerations.
5. Provide support and consultation with families regarding individual concerns.
6. Provide parent education opportunities, such as to assist families with food preparation and nutritional skills,
such as information on meal planning and stretching food dollars. Ensure sign in sheets are filled out and filed
with Program Assistant.
7. Design menus and/or review menus to ensure that both USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and
Head Start Performance Standards are met by the meals and snacks served . Approve any substitutions provided.
8. Provide trainings to CNE and Partner Site staff on relevant nutrition-related topics. Ensure sign in sheets are filled
out and filed with Program Assistant.
9. Be available to CNE and Partner Site staff for consultations per the CNE consultant response protocol.
10. Give input into policies and procedures.
11. Visit sites at least twice per year during meal times for monitoring compliance. Check food areas for sanitation
requirements and proper storage of food, including formula and breast milk.
12. Data and Documentation
a. Create and maintain a systematic approach in ensuring those children’s nutritional
interventions/consultations and consultations with CNE and Partner Site staff are documented.
b. Ensure that parent and staff consultations are documented.
13. Other Duties
a. Participates in Health Advisory Council Meetings
b. As needed, attend and participate in regular all-staff meetings, staff training events, and adhere to policies,
procedures and professional core values/code of ethics.
c. Meet regularly with Director of Programs/Head Start.
d. Ensure completion of the annual requirement of 15 hours of professional development, including but limited to
HS/EHS required trainings.
Required Qualifications & Competencies
1. Must be a Registered Dietician or Nutritionist who holds a Master’s degree (MPH or MS) from an approved
program in public health nutrition or possess a Commission on Dietetic Registration Certificate.
2. Experience with providing early childhood nutrition services for pregnant parents, infants, toddlers and preschool
children.
3. Ability to provide staff and parent training on salient nutrition issues affecting families.
4. Ability to attend Family/Child staffing, IEP, and IFSP meetings when necessary.
5. Prior experience with facilitating referrals for children and families.
6. Experience in menu planning and food preparation, including the quantity, quality, and variety of food to be
purchased and prepared is required.
7. Ability to interpret nutrition assessment data, and provide nutrition counseling to families.
8. Expertise to assist staff in feeding infants and working with children with feeding problems or special nutritional
issues.
9. Possess a current membership and registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American
Dietetic Association;
10. Prior professional experience with programs funded by the Office of Head Start preferred.
11. Experience working with children with special needs.
12. Understanding of Head Start Performance Standards, state, and local DCFS childcare licensing requirements, and
IDEA
13. Must have valid driver’s license and auto insurance when the position requires an employee to operate a motor
vehicle in connection with executing responsibilities, which include driving to and/or from any agency function.
14. Must submit a criminal background check and a child abuse and neglect screening and maintain a cleared status
throughout the contract period.
15. Must submit a physical and a negative TB test upon hire and update TB/physicals as required by the agency.
16. Must have intermediate skills with computer applications and have the ability to learn and master computer
technology/software programs as required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. Experience working in a program located in a high-risk community and with families with children from birth to
five required.
2. Ability to speak Spanish and/or Arabic is preferred, but not required.
3. Ability to engage quickly with families in a sensitive and culturally-responsive manner.
4. Experience dealing with families in trauma situations with good crisis intervention skills.
5. Ability to correctly interpret and follow city, state, and federal regulations.
6. Successfully convey and obtain accurate and complete information in a respectful and caring manner, including
nonverbal communication or communication with those with language barriers or disabilities.
7. Willingness to engage in, and skillful when having, difficult conversations with staff and clients.
8. Attentive to detail, good organizational skills, and efficient time management.
9. Knowledge of community agencies in CNE’s service area preferred.
10. Ability to appropriately manage confidential information and materials.
11. Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in written form with children and adults.
12. Ability to train and provide presentations to large and small groups.
13. Ability to gather and analyze data and write concise, accurate reports.
14. Ability to exercise independent judgment and make sound decisions.
15. Ability to understand, support, and comply with organizational policies.
16. Willingness and ability to be flexible with hours, including early evenings, in order to carry out the responsibilities
of the position.
ADA Specifications
1. This position requires a combination of walking, sitting and standing.
2. Ability to travel locally with staff to child care sites and homes. Access to reliable personal transportation is required.
3. Early evening hours will be periodically required to ensure training, socialization and nutritional requirements are
met.
To apply for the Nutrition Consultant position at Childcare Network of Evanston, kindly submit your
resume and a personalized cover letter to [email protected] and put
“Nutritionist” in the subject line.
CNE is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, political
affiliation, gender identity or expression, disability or protected Veteran status.
2
Apply Now
To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate your email/cover letter where (vacanciesiniraq.com) you saw this job posting.