The Office of Innovation and Systems Improvement (ISI) works with the Chancellor to align resources across the organization through innovation and continuous improvement. Our goal is to initiate change and lead DC Public Schools into the highest performing school district in the nation. After engaging with over 3,000 internal and external stakeholders to help shape the future of DCPS, we are guided by the five strategic priorities of the new Capital Commitment 2017-2022 Strategic Plan:

• Promote Equity: Define, understand, and promote equity to close achievement gaps and interrupt institutional bias.
• Empower Our People: Recruit, develop, and retain a talented, caring, and diverse team.
• Educate the Whole Child: Provide rigorous, joyful, and inclusive academic and social emotional experiences for all students.
• Ensure Excellent Schools: Increase the number of high quality schools across the district by defining blended autonomies for schools and creating opportunities for innovation.
• Engage Families: Deepen partnerships with families and community.

The Office of the Chief Operating Officer (OCOO) is comprised of the Strategic School Operations, Food & Nutrition Services, School Security, Facilities, and Compliance, teams. OCOO is responsible for guiding the operations and functions for all 118 schools within the District. Our goal is for all DCPS schools to be ready on the first day of school and every day thereafter so that all principals can lead, all teachers can teach, and all students can learn.

The School Operations & Programs division provides direct, day-to-day support to all DCPS schools. This division is made of the Strategic School Operations, Food & Nutrition Services, and School Security teams.

The Coordinator, Nutrition & Compliance is responsible for ongoing technical components of the Food and Nutrition Services compliance portfolio, including: menu development and review, programmatic and contractual monitoring of school meal programs, oversight of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and development of compliance training materials and programs. The Coordinator will also assist in ensuring compliance with the National School Breakfast Program, National School Lunch Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program, Summer Meals Program, and DC Healthy Schools Act. This position is expected to transition from its primary role in food-service management contractor (FSMC) coordination to increased responsibilities within DCPS’s self-operated sites.

The Coordinator, Nutrition & Compliance - Food and Nutrition Services will report to the Specialist, Nutrition, Compliance, and Partnerships.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

Nutrition and Menu Planning

• Reviews menu and nutrition analyses to ensure compliance with all local, district, and federal guidelines and regulations, inclusive of special diet meus, special events, and field trips for DCPS’s FSMC-operated sites for all federal child nutrition programs.
• Assesses student preferences, industry trends, and current research to plan menus that encourage participation in DCPS’s self-operated sites.
• Assists in the menu planning process for DCPS’s self-operated sites.
• Utilizes menu planning software for planning, nutrition analyses, and public display.
• Provides FSMC oversight of the Dietary Accommodations process.

Procurement

• Supports the procurement process of the self-operated sites through market research and other projects as assigned.

Accountability

• Supports contractual and compliance monitoring of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs and DC Healthy Schools Act.
• Supports all compliance-related functions, including applications, audits, training, reviews, and annual verification as assigned.
• Anticipates and identifies complex obstacles to compliant operations; and provides technical assistance as needed to disseminate identified obstacles.
• Develops and delivers technical assistance and training on the child nutrition programs.
• Tracks various FNS records, including Dietary Accommodation forms, local foods, production records, food safety documentation, etc.
• Develops and implements process improvement to increase efficiency of the child nutrition programs.
• Works with FNS field-based staff in support of regulatory and contractual compliance reviews.

Marketing

• Oversees FSMC marketing and student engagement activities related to the child nutrition programs and special celebrations.
• Leads the development and implementation of a marketing plan to attract students, parents, teachers, administrators, support staff, and community for self-operated sites.
• Develops and implements taste testing and student satisfaction projects for FSMC vended and self-operated sites.

Nutrition Education

• Develops nutrition education materials and activities for programs, such as the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program and Farm to School, at self-operated sites.
• Coordinates timeline and submission process for the FSMC’s nutrition education materials.
• Interprets current scientific information on food, nutrition, diet, and health to Division professionals, parents, agencies, and the public through technical assistance and/or presentation.

Community Outreach

• Builds relationships and collaborates with various internal departments, vendors, and external stakeholders to achieve program success.
• Travels offsite to schools, agency, and community partners to deepen understanding of the child nutrition programs.
• Communicates and supports FNS initiatives as assigned.
• Handles and follows up on inquiries and correspondence from DCPS families and community stakeholders regarding nutrition and compliance actions, policies, and procedures.
• Meets with parents and/or students as needed.

General

• Utilizes various computer programs to track data and create presentations, charts, graphs, tables, and memos.
• Stays up to date on current food and nutrition trends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and two to four years of related work experience.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
• Previous professional experience developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating health and/or nutrition programs, preferably within USDA Child Nutrition programs.
• Registered Dietitian Nutritionist preferred; and ability to obtain licensure from the DC Board of Dietetics and Nutrition.
• Possesses strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and has experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders.
• Exhibits working knowledge of nutritional regulatory compliance and menu development.
• Ability to execute multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in computer skills, including MS Office suite.
• Must be able to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.
• Exhibits excellent fact-finding, analysis, and problem-solving skills through critical analysis.
• Experience in food service preferred.

DCPS Values

• STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
• EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.