MIDDLETOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Mission Statement:
Middletown Public Schools cultivates the brilliance in each student.
Values and Belief Statements:
Empowerment: Middletown Public Schools empowers its students with the knowledge and skills to create lives brimming with purpose, passion and fulfillment.
Community: Middletown Public Schools harnesses the power of community by fostering an environment of mutual understanding and appreciation.
Growth: Middletown Public Schools encourages a culture of growth and exploration, inspiring lifelong learners.
Authenticity: Middletown Public Schools embraces each person’s authenticity and
cultivates an inclusive culture that brings about a sense of belonging.
DIRECTOR OF FOOD, NUTRITION AND WELLNESS SERVICES
Per the union, this job is to be posted internally and externally simultaneously. Preference will be given to UPSEU members per the contract.
SALARY RANGE: $44.42 - $65.78 per hour
SALARY GRADE: UPSEU GRADE 17 (Exempt / Salaried - not eligible for overtime)
LOCATION: BOE Central Office/District
HOURS OF WORK: (Monday – Friday) 40 hours per week (52 Weeks)
Basic Purpose of the Job
This position is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, compliance, fiscal management, and strategic direction of the
district’s Child Nutrition Programs. The Director of Food, Nutrition and Wellness Services ensures that school meals are nutritious,
safe, appealing, financially responsible, and compliant with federal, state, local, and district requirements. The Director provides
leadership to food service personnel, supports district wellness initiatives, advances farm-to-school and sustainability efforts, and
builds strong relationships with students, families, staff, administrators, vendors, regulatory agencies, and community partners.
Supervises:
Approximately 45 direct reports
Essential Functions: Essential Functions encompass those tasks, duties, and responsibilities that are critical and fundamental to the job and comprise the means of accomplishing the job’s purpose and objectives. They are the major functions for which the person in the job is held accountable. For any employee with population specific/age specific competency requirements a copy of the requirements must be attached to this document.
1. Directs, administers, and evaluates the district-wide Child Nutrition Programs in accordance with federal, state, local, and
district requirements.
2. Ensures compliance with all applicable USDA, Connecticut State Department of Education, local health department, Board
of Education, and district policies and procedures.
3. Provides leadership, supervision, training, and support to food service personnel to ensure effective and efficient program
operations.
4. Establishes quality standards for food presentation, meal service, customer service, and overall student and family
satisfaction.
5. Develops and implements procedures to ensure food is prepared, transported, served, and stored in a safe and sanitary
manner.
6. Oversees employee safety practices and integrates safety expectations into all areas of food service operations.
7. Develops procedures to ensure the food production system provides safe, nutritious, appealing, and high-quality meals.
8. Ensures operational procedures support efficient and effective food production, distribution, service, and accountability.
9. Implements a cost-effective procurement system for food, supplies, equipment, and related services.
10. Develops purchasing guidelines that reflect customer preferences, district needs, nutrition objectives, product knowledge,
and applicable procurement regulations.
11. Establishes standards for receiving, storing, inventorying, and managing food and non-food supplies.
12. Develops cost-effective menus that maintain nutritional integrity and meet all applicable Child Nutrition Program
guidelines.
13. Assesses student preferences, industry trends, participation data, and current research to plan menus that encourage
participation.
14. Collaborates with school staff, families, health professionals, and other appropriate personnel to support students with
special nutrition needs.
15. Provides technical assistance and training to food service personnel, school administrators, and other district support staff.
16. Develops short- and long-term goals through strategic planning that supports district priorities, Board of Education policies,
and the mission of Middletown Public Schools.
17. Implements personnel policies and procedures, including hiring, training, supervision, evaluation, performance
improvement, progressive discipline, and contract administration.
18. Establishes professional development standards and training opportunities for Child Nutrition Program personnel.
19. Assists with facility planning, kitchen layout, workflow improvements, and equipment selection based on program needs
and budget.
20. Develops and implements environmentally responsible practices, including waste reduction, sustainability, and responsible
resource management.
21. Supports farm-to-school and farm-to-cafeteria initiatives by building partnerships that increase access to fresh, seasonal,
local, and sustainably produced foods.
22. Develops and implements marketing and communication strategies to promote the school food and nutrition program to
students, families, staff, administrators, and the community.
23. Communicates program information and builds support for the Child Nutrition Programs among the Board of Education,
administrators, faculty, students, families, and community partners.
24. Oversees food service for special functions, catering, district events, and other activities consistent with Board of Education
policies.
25. Implements and supports management information systems that improve productivity, accountability, reporting, and
operational efficiency.
26. Trains staff in the use of computer technology, point-of-sale systems, production systems, and other food service
management tools.
27. Develops procedures for providing food service support in response to emergency or disaster situations.
Job Qualifications:
Minimum Education
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Associate’s degree or higher in Food and Nutrition, Institutional Management,
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Business Administration, or related field required, or any combination of education
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and experience that satisfies USDA Professional Standards for a district with student
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enrollment between 2,500 and 9,999 (Required). A bachelor’s degree in nutrition,
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dietetics, food service management, business, or related field (preferred).
Minimum Work Experience
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At least two years of school nutrition experience in a supervisory or higher-level
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capacity required. A minimum of five years of K-12 food service management
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experience in a district with more than 2,500 students preferred, with emphasis on
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menu planning, procurement, staff training and supervision, USDA Child Nutrition
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Program compliance, and sustainable food service operations.
Required Licenses/Certifications
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Valid Connecticut Driver’s License required.
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Valid Food Safety Manager Certificate required.
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School Nutrition Specialist certification, preferred
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Certified Dietary Manager certification, preferred
Job Requirements:
Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
In addition to the job-specific requirements listed in this section, the employee is
accountable for and expected to integrate all MPS values and work pillars into the
execution of the essential functions of their job. The statements herein are intended to
describe the general requirements for work being performed by employees in this job.
They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all requirements,
responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of all personnel so employed.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local Child Nutrition Program laws, regulations,
policies, and procedures required.
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Knowledge of food service operations, menu planning, procurement, inventory, production, sanitation, food safety, and employee safety required.
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Knowledge of USDA Child Nutrition Program standards, including meal pattern requirements and program accountability requirements, required.
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Ability and experience managing a large budget and staff.
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Knowledge of sustainable food preparation, farm-to-school practices, recipes, menus, and local food procurement preferred.
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Knowledge of K-12 food service software systems, point-of-sale systems, operating application management, and back-office management systems required.
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Ability to prepare, administer, and monitor budgets, reports, claims, procurement records, and financial accountability systems required.
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Ability to lead, supervise, train, evaluate, and support food service personnel required.
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Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures, professional development, performance standards, and operational systems required.
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Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with students, families, staff, administrators, vendors, regulatory agencies, and community partners required.
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Ability to work collaboratively with diverse community partnerships and district stakeholders required.
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Ability to work with frequent interruptions and simultaneously supervise a variety of tasks required.
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Ability to support district goals, wellness initiatives, and Board of Education policies required.
ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:
Per the union, this job is to be posted internally and externally simultaneously. Preference will be given to UPSEU members per the contract.
Before filling any vacancy or newly created position in the bargaining unit, the City shall conduct a combined departmental/Citywide posting of the said position open only to members of the bargaining unit for a period of ten (10) working days and shall send a copy of such posting to the Union. Qualification examinations for internal bargaining unit applicants for the position shall be administered within thirty (30)days after the closing date of the posting unless unusual circumstances, including but not limited to acts of God, budget or financial circumstances or sickness prevent otherwise. The said position will be filled within thirty (30) days thereafter provided the applicant(s) has(ve) met all of the necessary qualifications for the said position. If there are no qualified members of the bargaining unit for the said position, the City shall post the position as open-competitive.
