POSITION: Child Nutrition- Culinary/Nutrition Specialist, 210 days, 8 hrs a day LOCATION: Ellensburg School District REPORTS TO: Child Nutrition Director JOB SUMMARY: Under the direction of the Child Nutrition Director, the Culinary/Nutrition Specialist is responsible for assisting with the management and operation of the Child Nutrition program. This position oversees food procurement, preparation, distribution, and service, ensuring the highest quality, nutritious meals are served while adhering to food safety regulations and budgetary constraints. The successful candidate will possess strong leadership, culinary, and management skills to effectively help lead the kitchen staff and maintain program compliance. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 1. Operational Management: under the direction of the Child Nutrition Director, assist with daily operations of all Child Nutrition Department sites, including cycle menu planning, food purchasing, inventory control, and staff scheduling. 2. Leadership: Provides day-to-day leadership and works with staff to ensure a high performance, customer service-oriented work environment which supports achieving District objectives and promotes a positive employee relations environment. 3. Financial Management: Adheres to the department budget, monitors expenses, and implements cost- saving measures while maintaining program quality. 4. Food Safety and Quality: Ensures kitchen and dining areas are maintained in a clean and orderly manner; inspects kitchen and dining areas to ensure compliance with sanitary standards and observance of proper procedures (HACCP, ServSafe); works with facilities maintenance staff to resolve hazardous conditions. 5. Menu Development: Creates and implements nutritionally balanced menus aligned with USDA Child Nutrition program guidelines, incorporating fresh, local ingredients whenever possible. Develops and tests new recipes and menu items to enhance student satisfaction and works with nutrition services staff to ensure recipes and menus are followed and that foods served are of the highest quality. 6. Procurement: Selects, orders and purchases food supplies, culinary equipment and cleaning and laundry supplies; develops innovative strategies to ensure the use of fresh and locally produced products. 7. Staff Management: Provides ongoing training and development opportunities to ensure safe food handling, proper operation of kitchen equipment, and enhance employee performance. 8. Compliance & Reporting: Prepares a variety of nutrition services reports and documents, including food sales, materials and preparation records; works with staff to ensure all required reporting is completed in a timely manner. Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to USDA Child Nutrition programs. Maintains accurate records and reports as required. 9. Equipment Maintenance: Oversees the maintenance and repair of kitchen equipment to ensure optimal functionality and safety. 10. Customer Service: Builds positive relationships with students, staff, and parents. Resolves customer complaints and provides excellent customer service. 11. Represents the District at a variety of public events. 12. Perform other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS * Bachelors degree in Culinary Arts, Nutrition, or related field preferred. * USDA school nutrition program experience preferred. * Minimum of two years of experience in large-scale food service management, including menu planning, food purchasing, staff supervision, and food safety. * Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills. * Ability to work independently and as part of a team. * Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and food service management software. * Experience with sustainable food sourcing and local procurement. * ServSafe certification preferred or willingness to obtain. Note: This position requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds, stand for extended periods, and work in a fast- paced environment. LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, OR CERTIFICATIONS Valid Washington State Driver's License WA State Food Handler's Certificate CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: * Representation: Public School Employees, Ellensburg Chapter * Salary: $25.00 - $30.00 per hour * Benefits: SEBB BENEFITS: Health insurance benefits for employees working 630 hours or more per year include medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability plans through the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). School employees | Washington State Health Care Authority Retirement benefits provided through the WA State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). State of Washington: Department of Retirement Systems 190 Day Employees - Paid leave benefits to include 12 days of sick leave, three personal leave days ACKNOWLEDGMENT: This Job description is intended to provide an overview of the requirements of the position. As such, it is not necessarily all-inclusive, and the job may require other essential and/or nonessential functions, tasks, duties, or responsibilities not listed herein. The District reserves the right to add, modify, or exclude any essential or nonessential requirement at any time with or without notice. Nothing in this job description, nor by the completion of any requirement of the job by the employee, is intended to create a contract of employment of any type. Applicants of diverse backgrounds encouraged to apply Ellensburg School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX Coordinator and and Section 504 Coordinator,Rhonda Schmidt, 509-925-8011, Rhonda.Schmidt@esd401.org ; Civil Rights Coordinator, 509-925-8007, Alexis.Haberman@esd401.org 1300 East Third Avenue, Ellensburg, WA 98926.