STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Director of Food Services

Recruitment #211130-2640MP-001

Introduction



Do you enjoy directing food service operations for large institutions? Are you passionate about supporting healthy food habits in children? If so, come make an impact by serving your State! Read below & apply today! 

The State Department of Education (SDE) - Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) is currently accepting applications for a Director of Food Services opportunity. You will oversee all aspects of the district’s USDA Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) operations. CNP provides an environment that supports healthy food habits while maintaining program integrity and customer satisfaction. 

The Role: You will be directing the entire school food service operation at a large institution serving at least 9,000 student lunches and 2,000 student breakfasts with a total of 11,000 meals per day in 17 high schools across Connecticut. This involves administration, planning, directing, assessing, implementing, and evaluating the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Programs in order to meet the nutritional and educational needs of students. For specific duties of this role please scroll to the "Examples of Duties" section. 

Requirements: Incumbents in this class that will act as a School Nutrition Program Director, at a school with at least 10,000 students enrolled must possess:
  • A Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent educational experience, with academic major in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, business, or a related field; OR A Bachelor’s degree in any academic major, and State-recognized certificate for school nutrition directors; Or
  • A Bachelor’s degree in any academic major, and at least 5 years of experience in management of school nutrition programs.
  • You will required to travel to Technical Schools throughout CT which requires a valid driver’s license and means of own transportation. Please list your valid Driver’s License number, issuing state, issue & expiration dates in the “Licenses & Certifications” section of your application.
  • NOTE: The above description covers the principal duties and responsibilities of the job. The description should not, however, be construed as a complete listing of all miscellaneous, incidental, or similar duties which may be required from day-to-day. 
Benefits & Schedule: This position is located at 39 Woodland Street in Hartford, CT and is a 12- month position, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. We participate in a competitive benefits package that includes comprehensive healthcare coverage, retirement plan options, paid time off and so much more! We also encourage a healthy work-life balance for all employees! 

Watch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of CT employee! 
            

Selection Plan

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13F (3a) and

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • Please select all location(s) in which you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location.
Important Information After You Apply: 
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 
  • Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Connect With Us:
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.
  • Should you have any questions about this recruitment please contact faith.macdonald@ct.gov (860) 937-6362. 

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

This class is accountable for directing the entire food service operation at a large institution serving at least 800 meals per day.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Food Service Operations 
  • Direct and manage the district’s food service programs. Develop menus that meet established nutritional requirements for students. Work cooperatively and partner with others within the school community to solicit support for the development of a sound nutrition assistance food program while following all federal and state regulatory requirements and resolve personnel issues. 
  • The school nutrition professional shall establish and direct process for providing free meal status through the Direct Certification process following United States Department of Agriculture and Connecticut State Department of Education / Child Nutrition Agency guidelines for meal eligibility and reimbursement of federal funds. Develop and maintain written department procedures for all food service operations.
Policy, Reports, and Law 
  • Need to comply with federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and board policy in the cafeteria food service area. Will compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required as well as prepare necessary data for processing of food service, food service procurement, and state reporting data in a timely fashion.
Budget and Inventory 
  • Administer food service budget and ensure that programs are cost effective, and funds are managed prudently. Compile budgets and cost estimates based on documented program needs. Assist with development of a cost-effective and efficient system of procurement of all food meeting federal procurement, Connecticut State Department of Education / Child Nutrition Agency standards. Initiate purchase orders and bids in accordance with budgetary limitations and district policies. Recommend disposal of obsolete equipment and replace equipment as necessary.
Personnel Management 
  • Plan and direct inventory and stock control program for equipment and supplies throughout CTECS locations. Develop training options in nutrition education and improvement plans to ensure exemplary operation in the food service area. Evaluate job performance of employees to ensure effectiveness and uniform compliance within each school cafeteria program. Recruit, train, and supervise personnel and make sound recommendations about program needs and work with HR to determine personnel placements, transfers, retention, and dismissal of staff. 
Safety 
  • Ensure that measures are in place and operating to protect food, supplies, and equipment in school cafeterias, lunchrooms, and storage areas and maintain safety standards that confirm with federal, state, regulations.
Other 
  • Attend professional growth activities to keep abreast of innovative techniques for food service operations to include any and all relevant CSDE workshops/training sessions. Assists in the development and implementation of plans for new food services or construction of current food service programs including the design of kitchens/cafeterias and specifications for equipment needs.
  • For other examples of duties please refer to here

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of food preparation and service; considerable knowledge of safety and sanitation standards related to large scale food preparation and service; considerable knowledge of materials, appliances, machines and equipment used in large scale food preparation and service; considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant State and Federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of experience in institutional or commercial food service involving 800 or more complete meals daily.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.
Note: For state employees the Special Experience will be interpreted at the level of Assistant Director of Food Services.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

College training in dietetics, hotel/restaurant management, nutrition or a related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in large scale management of school nutrition programs of 10,000 students plus. 
  • Possession of Connecticut Certified Food Safety certificate or be eligible to obtain this certification within 30 calendar days of employment. 
  • Experience in Budget preparation and monitoring with general funds, federal funds, and grant funds. 
  • Experience with vendor contract negotiations, contract request for proposals (RFP), and contract bidding process for school meals program. 
  • Experience in identifying and encouraging related education programs that meet the federal regulations for training standards for school nutrition employees.  
  • Experience conducting professional development trainings for staff meeting state and federal regulations as well as agency protocols. 
  • Experience providing leadership through active participation in professional organizations and educating large groups.  
  • Experience managing union employees within union contracts. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class that will act as a School Nutrition Program Director, at a school with at least 10,000 students enrolled must possess:
  • A Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent educational experience, with academic major in food and nutrition, food service management, dietetics, family and consumer sciences, nutrition education, culinary arts, business, or a related field; OR 
  • A Bachelor’s degree in any academic major, and State-recognized certificate for school nutrition directors; OR
  • A Bachelor’s degree in any academic major, and at least 5 years of experience in management of school nutrition programs.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.