About Operation Food Search:

Founded in 1981, Operation Food Search is a hunger relief organization that provides food, nutrition education, and innovative programs in order to reduce food insecurity and increase equitable access to food. We serve 200,000 people every month through a network of 330 partners in 42 counties in Missouri and Illinois. We use a combination of immediate food assistance and supportive services, while also working on long-term solutions and systemic changes to help solve the problem of hunger. 

Our Mission is to heal hunger with innovative and collaborative solutions that provide food today and help create a hunger-free tomorrow. 

Our Vision is a region where everyone has equitable access to the food they need to lead healthy lives.

Our Goals are to:

1) Meet the immediate need for food for children, individuals, and families by providing high-quality nutrition through our distribution network.

2) Empower long-term skills through nutrition education and by teaching how to shop and prepare healthy food on a budget.

3) Champion change through advocacy and innovative programs and by addressing systemic inequities.

Position Summary: 

The Child Nutrition Specialist is responsible for the operation, administration, implementation, and oversight of the CACFP and SFSP programs at Operation Food Search. The Child Nutrition Specialist serves as the organization's subject matter expert for CACFP and SFSP regulations and exercises independent judgment in the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of child nutrition programs.

Salary: $42,848 - $49,400 

Essential Functions:

Program Facilitation

• Oversee the daily operations of CACFP and SFSP through management of daily ordering, meal tracking, and documentation collection. 
• Develop and maintain detailed and accurate USDA program records, including meal counts, delivery tickets, attendance records, health inspections, partnership agreements, CN records, product formulation sheets, meal production records, and more.
• Develop and recommend child nutrition policies, procedures, and operational standards.
• Lead compliance audits and regulatory reviews to ensure programs meet USDA and DHSS requirements.
• Prepare, and review program documents required for reimbursement claims to ensure timely and accurate funding.
• Analyze reimbursement trends and program’s financial performance.
• Collect program applications, submit, and maintain up-to-date and accurate site files with DHSS. 
• Recruit, train, and manage the Child Nutrition Summer Intern to assist with operations of the Summer Meals program.
• Create and share monthly CACFP and SFSP menus in compliance with DHSS requirements.
• Make independent decisions regarding program administration within established organizational guidelines.

Partnership Management & Community Engagement 

•   Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, government agencies, and vendors. 
• Create a high functioning support system for program partners through excellent customer service with an emphasis on effective training and communication.
• Create and manage CACFP and SFSP review schedule to ensure compliance monitoring site visits are completed within DHSS guidelines.
• Create and conduct program training material in compliance with DHSS guidelines yearly for CACFP and SFSP programs.
• Conduct required pre-operational site visits and training new program partners.
• Communicate daily with Child Nutrition Team, internal Programs department leadership, community partners, and vendors to ensure efficient operation of CACFP and SFSP programs.
• Attend and contribute to various community collaboratives to advance the work of the Child Nutrition department.
• Strategic Growth & Innovation
• Identify innovative approaches to enhance meal quality and program efficiency within USDA guidelines. 
• Assist with the grant process by providing program details and data for proposals and reports in a timely manner and participate with funder visits/tours as needed.
• Collaborate with internal teams to align Child Nutrition initiatives with the organization's broader mission and goals.
• Identify opportunities to expand program reach and increase equitable food access for underserved populations.

 This position will be posted for 5 days.  

Education and/or Experience:

• Educational background in field related to Social Services, Public Health, Public Policy, Business Administration, Management, Nutrition, or a related field preferred.
• Two years’ relevant work experience in community-based programs, program planning, or hunger-relief efforts is highly preferred.
• Experience in compliance-based programming is highly preferred.

Experience in compliance-based programming is highly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communications skills. 
• Ability to establish positive interpersonal relationships with OFS team, program partners, and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated meticulous diligence to details. 
• Ability to manage multiple projects while ensuring the highest standards in quality. 
• Experience working with underserved populations.
• Working knowledge of social service organizations, non-profits, and school systems in the St. Louis region. 
• Knowledge of federal nutrition programs.
• Understanding of food insecurity and food access issues in the St. Louis region.
• Possess a growth mindset and actively seek out opportunities to learn.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to make decisions based on data. 
• Passion for the OFS mission and a commitment to program integrity.

  Special Requirements:

• Flexibility in working hours for occasional special events after-hours or weekend.
• Willingness to assist with other OFS duties as required or as assigned. 
• Frequent local travel required. Must have a good driving record and reliable transportation (mileage is reimbursable).

Working Condition and Physical Demands:

• Sedentary indoors office work with limited exposure to weather conditions.
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time, both indoors and outdoors.

Benefits – FT Positions

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• HRA and FSA
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Vacation and sick time, paid holidays
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Company paid term life and AD&D insurance
• Voluntary employee paid term life and AD&D insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Wellness support
• Potential for student loan forgiveness, if qualified