Job Description

DIETITIAN

JOB CODE 07180

Effective Date:	11/98A

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to establish nutritional plans, review menus, ensure compliance with nutritional standards, and provide education in a Human Services meal/nutrition program. Examples of such programs include senior congregate and home delivered meals, and Head Start. The nutritionist will develop and implement a nutrition education program for employees, participants, and volunteers as well as assisting in the education of other department personnel. Work involves advising on equipment selection and layout of food preparation area including safety and sanitation requirements, supplies, and services needed, and indicates nutrition studies as directed. Work is reviewed by a Deputy Director or Head Start Program Coordinator through conferences, reports, both written and oral, and evaluation of results.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Monitors preparation, delivery, and serving of meals to seniors;
• Evaluates adequacy of procedures and quality and quantity control at Head Start Centers and congregate meal locations;
• Develops and implements nutrition education programs for Senior Services employees, participants, volunteers, and food providers;
• Advises Senior Services personnel on food preparation, equipment, equipment placement, supplies, and services;
• Prepares menus and plans for food buying for on-site preparation;
• Reviews and updates annual nutritional plans;
• Staffs the nutritional council made up of representatives from the Senior Centers;
• Develops a food preparation manual including procedural information on quantity recipes for regular and special diets as required;
• Performs program planning of food service and nutrition education in the Head Start programs;
• Establishes and maintains standards of sanitation;
• Provides assistance in the solution of nutritional problems related to Head Start and Senior program participants;
• Aids in development of all necessary nutrition forms to record data needed;
• Prepares and submits statistical and narrative reports;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Menu planning including quality, quantity, and variety of foods.
• Nutrition assessment and follow-up education.
• Counseling and education programs aimed at nutrition care.
• Problems and special dietary needs of seniors, families and Head Start participants.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement a nutrition education program for personnel, participants, and volunteers and organize the work of others.
• Apply specialized knowledge and techniques to nutrition problems.
• Manage menu development for target populations.
• Establish and modify as necessary an annual nutritional plan.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships, communications, and work productively with co-workers, food providers, participants, volunteers, and other agencies.
• Prepare and present necessary statistical and other reports, oral or written as required.
• Communicate orally in the English language with customers, clients, and the public using a telephone, and in group and face-to-face, one-to-one settings.
• Produce written documents with clearly organized thought in the English language using proper sentence structure, punctuation, grammar, and spelling.
• Work cooperatively with City employees, clients, agencies, and the public.
• Comprehend and make inferences from material written in the English language.
• Review or check the work products of others to ensure conformance to standards.
• Observe, compare, or monitor data to determine compliance with contractual requirements.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.

Additional Requirements:

• Professional registration as a Dietitian.
• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
A bachelor's degree in nutrition, completion of a clinical internship approved by American Dietetic Association and two years of professional experience. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.