Child Nutrition Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

SALARY INFORMATION

Description of Series 

This series specification describes four levels of Child Nutrition classes. These classes are used for positions responsible for providing information, leadership, and consultant services on dietary and nutritional needs of children in methods of quantity food preparation and service, reviewing the eligibility of child nutrition programs for State and Federal financial assistance, and monitoring programs to determine continued compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Persons in these classes evaluate methods of food service to ensure that they meet dietary guidelines and for practicality, efficiency, quality, and overall effectiveness; recommend the most efficient methods of operation in areas of purchasing, menu planning, merchandising, food production, sanitation, food storage, staff training, and equipment purchasing and operation; conduct administrative reviews of sponsors participating in programs such as the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, School Nutrition Program Administrative Review, State Meals Mandate, Pregnant and Lactating Students Program, Special Milk Program, Child Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program; assist sponsors in planning, developing, and implementing coordinated food service programs and menu planning systems with nutrition education programs; meet with administrators, school board members, food service personnel, parent-teacher groups, and civic organizations to promote child nutrition   programs in schools, institutions, child care centers, and community service organizations; conduct child nutrition conferences and seminars pertinent to the administration of child nutrition programs; discuss food components with food processors, food brokers, and manufacturers; organize and conduct county and regional meetings and workshops for sponsors of child nutrition programs in an effort to improve program quality and communication channels; advise on proper procedures for maintaining fiscal records and reporting meal costs in accordance with State and Federal rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; and do other related work.

Child Nutrition Assistant

This is the entry and first journey level in this series. This class is used as a permanent level for lesser-skilled functions and as a training level for the Child Nutrition Consultant or comparable class. Under general supervision, incumbents perform the more routine assignments in providing services to sponsors of child nutrition programs. These functions include assisting in conducting administrative reviews of sponsors, assisting in evaluating methods of food service for efficiency and effectiveness, assisting sponsors in the completion of forms and documents required for participation, and assisting in conducting child nutrition training conferences and seminars. Assistants may also work under the guidance of a Child Nutrition Consultant.

Child Nutrition Consultant

This is the full journey level in the series. Under direction, incumbents perform the more complex, difficult, and sensitive tasks in providing information, leadership, and consultant services to sponsors of child nutrition programs in such areas as nutritional needs of children; evaluating methods of food service; conducting administrative reviews of sponsors to determine compliance with applicable laws and rules; assisting sponsors in planning, developing, and implementing coordinated food service with nutrition education programs; and planning, organizing, and conducting training conferences. Consultants may also provide leadership and training to incumbents in the Child Nutrition Assistant or comparable class.

Child Nutrition Supervisor I

This is the first supervisory level in this series over professionals at the consultant and assistant levels. Under direction, incumbents direct a staff engaged in providing State level child nutrition services. Typical tasks include coordinating the various services provided; representing the department at meetings and conferences; interpreting regulations, policies, procedures, and standards to staff and sponsors; developing, planning, and directing evaluations and consultation services; and advising staff and sponsors on the most difficult and complex child nutrition program components.

Child Nutrition Supervisor II

This is the second supervisory level in this series over professionals at the first supervisory level or consultant and assistant levels. Under general direction, incumbents plan, organize, and direct a large group of technical child nutrition and/or analytical staff, typically through subordinate supervisors at the Child Nutrition Supervisor I level.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Scope and level of responsibility for program development and implementation; complexity of work; independence of action; impact of decisions on statewide programs; and degree of supervisory and administrative responsibility.

Minimum Qualifications

Child Nutrition Assistant

Child Nutrition Consultant

Child Nutrition Supervisor I

Child Nutrition Supervisor II

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in nutrition, dietetics, institutional management, or a closely related field, and

Experience: Experience in California state service applied toward the general experience pattern must include the same number of years of qualifying experience as required in the promotional pattern performing the duties of a classification with a level of responsibility equivalent to that described in the promotional experience pattern.

Child Nutrition Assistant

All of the above.

Child Nutrition Consultant

Either I

Experience: Two years of experience in California state service performing the duties of a classification with a level of responsibility equivalent to Child Nutrition Assistant; or

II

Experience: Two years of professional experience in quantity food service, nutrition, dietetics, school nutrition programs, or nutrition education programs (A master's degree in nutrition, dietetics, institutional management, or a closely related field; or registration with the American Dietetic Association Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics may be substituted for one year of the required experience.)

Child Nutrition Supervisor I

Either I

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a classification with a level of responsibility equivalent to Child Nutrition Consultant; or

II

Experience: Three years of professional experience in quantity food service, nutrition, dietetics, school nutrition programs, or nutrition education programs, including at least one year at the full journey level.

(A master's degree in nutrition, dietetics, institutional management, or a closely related field; or registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics may be substituted for one year of the non-journey level experience.)

Child Nutrition Supervisor II

Either I

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a classification with a level of responsibility equivalent to Child Nutrition Supervisor I; or

II

Experience: Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a classification with a level of responsibility equivalent to Child Nutrition Consultant; or

III

Experience: Four years of professional experience in quantity food service, nutrition, dietetics, school nutrition programs, or nutrition education programs, including at least two years of administrative or supervisory responsibility over such programs. (A master's degree in nutrition, dietetics, institutional management, or a closely related field; or registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics may be substituted for one year of the nonsupervisory experience.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Child Nutrition Assistant

Knowledge of: Methods, techniques, and equipment used in quantity food production, including purchasing, menu planning, merchandising, sanitation, food storage, staffing, and equipment; basic nutritional needs of children; food cost accounting.

Ability to: Learn, interpret, and apply applicable State and Federal rules and regulations; communicate effectively, evaluate sponsor management practices and advise on the application of nutrition principles; work independently; analyze program-related issues accurately and adopt an effective course of action.                      

Child Nutrition Consultant

Knowledge of: All of the above, and State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to child  nutrition programs.

Ability to: All of the above, and integrate nutrition education with food service programs; advise sponsors on the application of nutrition principles to the food service programs; organize and conduct workshops and training sessions; train new staff in program content and objectives.

Child Nutrition Supervisor I

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles and practices of employee training, development, and supervision; organization and functions of the department; the department's mission, goals, programs, and policies; principles of program planning, development, and implementation; a supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring, employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: All of the above, and assume leadership in the development and direction of a statewide nutrition program; effectively and efficiently manage a staff and program within the resources provided; supervise a subordinate staff; work effectively with administrative staff in the department and other governmental agencies; reason logically and creatively, and use a variety of analytical techniques to resolve complex problems; develop and evaluate alternatives; review and edit written reports; maintain effective liaison with local program officials; establish and maintain project and departmental priorities; promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Child Nutrition Supervisor II

Knowledge of: All of the above, and the goals and policies of child nutrition programs; mandated State and Federal requirements of child nutrition programs; strategic planning and budgetary principles; statewide technical assistance and training needs for local and State child nutrition staff; other State, Federal, and private agencies which have an interest in child nutrition programs.

Ability to: All of the above, and provide leadership and direction to a statewide child nutrition program; work effectively with top level managers at both the State and Federal levels; effectively handle difficult or sensitive issues.

Preferred or Desirable Qualifications

All Levels:

In appraising the relative qualifications of candidates, consideration will be given to the extent and type of experience with child food/nutrition programs and to the extent and type of pertinent education beyond that required under Minimum Qualifications. Preferred additional education includes master's degree in nutrition, dietetics, institutional management, or a closely related field; or registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

All employees shall have general qualifications as described by California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 172.  

Special Personal Characteristic

All Levels:

Willingness to travel throughout the State.

Class History