Nutrition Consultant

Title:           Early Childhood Nutrition Consultant       

Location:     WHEDco Early Childhood Discovery Center           

Reports to: Center Director

About Us:

The Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) is a community development organization founded on the radically simple idea that all people deserve to live in healthy, vibrant communities. We build award-winning, sustainable, affordable homes – but our work is not over when our buildings are complete. WHEDco believes that to be successful, affordable housing must be anchored in strong communities of which residents can be proud. WHEDco’s mission is to create and bridge access to resources in the South Bronx that support thriving neighborhoods – from high-quality early education and after-school programs, to healthy food, cultural programming, and economic opportunity. See www.whedco.org for more information.

WHEDco’s Urban Horizons Early Childhood Discovery Center, a year-round Head Start program for three-and four-year-old children, serves 103 pre-school students from over 20 different countries. The Center’s full-day program offers a nurturing environment that allows students to develop confidence, think creatively, analyze information, and communicate effectively. Each year 100% of the students graduate prepared for kindergarten, ensuring that they begin their school careers ready to succeed.

Role Overview:

WHEDco seeks an Early Childhood Nutrition Consultant to join our Urban Horizons Early Childhood Discovery Center. This is a consultant role, offering the flexibility to work on a contract basis while contributing to the health and well-being of our students.

The Early Childhood Nutrition Consultant will be responsible for providing comprehensive early childhood nutrition services to our staff, students, and families, including nutrition training, coaching, and referral services. The Early Childhood Nutrition Consultant will also collect data, maintain records, and support compliance with all performance standards and regulations. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist Center director in planning and implementing nutrition plans, systems, and procedures.
• Assist in developing nutrition plans in compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards, as well as other local, state and federal regulations, to ensure that all nutrition standards are met.
• Contribute to the development of the annual assessment observing the community assessment needs.
• Contribute to the implementation of the annual program goals in reference to health and nutrition goals.
• Monitor the nutritional status of students and follow up as needed.
• Review students’ medical files and their body mass index (BMI).
• Build and maintain partnerships with community and nutrition stakeholders to establish interagency linkages.
• Provide training and technical assistance to staff based on identified needs in the nutrition services area.
• Provide nutrition workshops to parents of enrolled children.
• Work with kitchen staff to create and implement daily menus.
• Assist the Program Director in reviewing the daily menus.
• Conduct regular meetings with kitchen staff to ensure adherence to the New York State Department of Health Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) standards and regulations.
• Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Registered Dietician/Nutritionist is required.
• In-depth knowledge of young children’s nutritional needs.
• Knowledge of the Eat Well, Play Hard Program in Child Care settings desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of health and nutrition-related standards, including the Head Start Performance Standards, as well as other local, state and federal regulations.
• Strong ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse families and professionals.
• Experience guiding staff in obtaining positive nutrition results.
• Ability to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with service providers and families.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage with diverse groups.
• Strong organizational skills, including efficient task and time management.
• In-depth knowledge of young children’s nutritional needs.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification.
• Compliance with child abuse training certification.
• Bilingual/bicultural in English and Spanish is strongly preferred.

Contract Details:

• This is a consultant position, and the contract terms will be based on the needs of the Center and the scope of work.
• Compensation will be commensurate with education and experience, not to exceed $150.00 per hour.
• The consultant will not be an employee of WHEDco, and there will be no benefits associated with this role.

Interested candidates

should submit their cover letter and resume to svasconcelos@whedco.org with “Nutrition Consultant” in the subject line.

WHEDco affords all qualified applicants equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristic, marital status or domestic violence victim status, or any other category protected by law. WHEDco follows the requirements of the New York Human Rights Law with regard to non-discrimination on the basis of prior criminal conviction and prior arrest.