At KU Memorial Unions, we create welcoming spaces and meaningful experiences that support student success and enhance campus life. Through KU Dining, KU Catering, the KU Bookstore, and our building and event services, we serve the University of Kansas community with pride, hospitality, and purpose.
KU Memorial Unions is seeking either a Nutritionist or a Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) to join our team. Candidates will be considered at the appropriate level based on their education, credentials, licensure, and professional experience. Compensation, title, and responsibilities may be adjusted to align with the selected candidate's qualifications.
The Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) serves as a key contributor to the health, well-being, and overall campus experience of students, faculty, and staff by providing expert nutrition guidance within KU Dining Services. This position ensures campus dining programs support diverse dietary needs, meet established nutrition standards, and reflect KU Memorial Unions' commitment to creating inclusive, safe, and high-quality dining experiences.
Working collaboratively with culinary, operational, and campus partners, this position will lead nutrition-related initiatives including menu and recipe analysis, allergen management, nutrition technology oversight, and student wellness programming. This role also serves as the primary nutrition resource for students with medically necessary diets, food allergies, and other special dietary needs while supporting campus-wide wellness, accessibility, and food security initiatives.
The anticipated salary for this position starts at $58,000 for the Nutritionist role and $63,000 for the Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) role. The final rate will be determined based on qualifications, experience, education, and years within the job or industry.
Note: This position will be filled at either the Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN) level, commensurate with the successful candidate's education, credentials, licensure, experience, and qualifications.
Position Level Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Nutrition, Food Science, Public Health, Health Promotion, Dietetics, or a closely related field from an accredited institution. Master's degree preferred.
At least one to three years of professional experience in nutrition education, wellness programming, community nutrition, foodservice, higher education, healthcare, or a related setting.
Experience providing nutrition education, developing wellness initiatives, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
Professional certification such as Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) or similar is preferred but not required.
Experience with nutrition analysis software, menu development, or foodservice operations is preferred.
Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN)
Bachelor's degree in Dietetics, Nutrition, Food and Nutrition, or a related field from an accredited program. A master's degree is required for individuals obtaining RD/RDN credentialing on or after January 1, 2024, in accordance with Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) requirements.
Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
Licensed Dietitian in the State of Kansas or the ability to obtain licensure within 90 days of hire.
At least one to five years of professional experience in clinical nutrition, higher education, healthcare foodservice, campus dining, or a related setting.
Experience providing medical nutrition therapy, supporting individuals with food allergies and medically necessary dietary accommodations, and collaborating with multidisciplinary healthcare or student support teams.
Why You'll Love Working Here
KU Memorial Unions offers a work-life balance unlike any other in the restaurant industry. While our work is dynamic and occasionally requires flexibility during busy periods, we strive to provide a strong work-life balance and usually do. Our team members enjoy reliable schedules, meaningful time off, competitive benefits, and a collaborative atmosphere where people genuinely care about one another and the success of our students.
Schedule: Full-time. Typical schedule is Monday-Friday with occasional evenings, weekends, and campus events as needed to support operational and student engagement initiatives.
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
Retirement plan with a 7.5% employer match (after eligibility requirements are met)
Paid parental leave
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Meal benefits
Employee discounts
Professional development and continuing education opportunities
Provide individualized nutrition consultations for students with medically necessary diets, food allergies, food intolerances, and lifestyle-based dietary needs.
Serve as the primary point of contact for students, families, and campus partners regarding nutrition-related concerns and special dietary accommodations.
Partner with the Student Access Center, HERO, Student Affairs, and other University stakeholders to develop nutrition strategies that support student health, accessibility, and academic success.
Conduct and maintain nutrition analysis for recipes and menus to ensure accuracy, regulatory compliance, and transparency for guests.
Collaborate with the Culinary Manager and vendors to evaluate, develop, and introduce nutritious, allergen-friendly, and balanced menu offerings.
Oversee nutrition technology platforms, including CBORD NetNutrition, in partnership with the Systems Administrator to ensure accurate nutrition and allergen information.
Lead allergen management initiatives, including oversight of KYOU Zone allergen-safe dining areas, and ensure consistent implementation of food allergy protocols throughout all dining operations.
Develop, deliver, and evaluate training programs for full-time and part-time employees on food allergies, special dietary needs, safe food handling practices, and nutrition awareness.
Conduct routine assessments of dining locations to verify compliance with allergen safety, gluten-free procedures, sanitation practices, and established food handling standards.
Design and implement nutrition education, outreach, and wellness initiatives including workshops, tabling events, educational campaigns, and collaborations with campus organizations to promote healthy eating habits.
Collaborate with University partners to identify and support initiatives addressing food insecurity and equitable access to nutritious food options across campus.
Lead nutrition-related quality improvement initiatives, policies, procedures, and operational projects that enhance student satisfaction, dining experiences, and departmental effectiveness.
Ensure compliance with applicable nutrition regulations, food safety requirements, and University policies.
Participate in KU Dining leadership initiatives, strategic planning efforts, committee work, and departmental projects.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Dining Operations or their designee.
Preferred Qualifications for Both Levels
Experience using CBORD, NetNutrition, Illumia, or similar nutrition analysis systems.
Experience working in higher education, collegiate dining, healthcare foodservice, or large-scale foodservice operations.
Experience developing nutrition education, wellness programming, or public health initiatives.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Demonstrated creativity and innovation in developing nutrition programs and student engagement initiatives.
Duties & Responsibilities of All KU Memorial Union Positions
Adhere to University and KU Memorial Union policies and procedures.
Demonstrate the organization's core values and apply the Seven Team Principles in your role by aligning your work with our Lines of Effort: Our People, Engaging Programs, Outstanding Service, Collaborative Partnerships, Inviting Spaces, and Budget Management.
Support the KU Memorial Unions End State as described by the Executive Director and uphold the department's mission and core values of community, dignity, empowerment, excellence, innovation, and safety.
Follow the Seven Team Principles: competence, creating a cohesive team through mutual trust, creating shared understanding, setting clear leader intent, written and verbal communication, disciplined initiative, and risk management.
Demonstrate a positive, solution-oriented attitude while collaborating with colleagues to foster a respectful and productive work environment.
Always exhibit professional decorum while representing KU Memorial Unions and the University, including routine events and meetings held across campus and within the community.
Work Conditions & Environment
Work is performed in a combination of office, campus, and commercial foodservice environments. This position regularly travels between multiple dining locations across campus and interacts with students, faculty, staff, vendors, and dining personnel. The environment includes exposure to commercial kitchen equipment, varying temperatures, moderate noise levels, and food production operations. The role requires balancing administrative responsibilities with hands-on operational support, training, inspections, and student engagement activities. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required to support campus events, educational programming, or operational needs.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while conducting dining hall inspections, trainings, and campus events.
Ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 25 pounds.
Ability to bend, reach, stoop, climb stairs, and perform repetitive movements.
Ability to travel between multiple campus dining locations.
Ability to use a computer and standard office equipment for extended periods.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
