Program Lead, School Food Program - South Shore, Canada - Nova Scotia School Boards (NSSB)

Nova Scotia School Boards (NSSB)

Verified Company

South Shore, Canada

1 week ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

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Description

Program Lead, School Food Program:

South Shore Regional Centre for Education

The South Shore Regional Centre for Education (SSRCE) practices the culturally responsive pedagogy approach in providing an inclusive, diverse, equitable, safe and healthy education that supports learning and success both personally and academically to the 59,000 residents of Lunenburg and Queens Counties, an area of 5,250 square kilometres and a total of 23 schools.

Position:
Program Lead, School Food Program

Reports to:
Director of Programs

Employee Group:
Non-Union

Application Deadline:
Tuesday May 14, 2024 at 11:59pm (AST)

Work Schedule: 7 hours per day, 12 months of the year

Start Date:
Permanent, effective immediately

Overall Purpose
The Program Lead, School Food Program collaborates with the provincial project team and other standing provincial committees.

They work in partnership with departmental officials and are responsible to plan, coordinate and implement the School Lunch Program for the region.

The position cultivates partnerships and relationships with provincial colleagues and collaborates on provincial evaluation criteria and policy frameworks, processes, and standards.

The position oversees a multi-phased implementation to ensure it is aligned with provincial policy and standards.

The position develops partnerships with external service providers and supports school staff responsible for food ensuring programs are aligned and meet required standards.

The position provides a single point of contact for third party food service managers, cafeteria staff and school administrators for cafeteria related inquiries, and works closely with key Health Promoting Schools (HPS) partners (i.e.

School Health Promoter, Public Health Nutritionist).

Key Responsibilities

Leads a multiphased implementation of the school lunch program in the RCE to ensure it is aligned with provincial policy and standards. This includes ongoing collaboration with government and external partners, making recommendations on the design and implementation of school food programs for the region.
Leads food services program planning, implementation, and management by representing the region provincially, providing recommendations to support provincial planning for school food programs and determining how implementation will best work within the region. This includes breakfast and lunch programs.
Reviews and integrates existing school food programs to align with any new model(s) of food programming being implemented in the RCE with a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
Ensures all food programs operating and being implemented in RCE schools align with the School Food and Nutrition Policy and supporting documents. Provides support to schools to meet standards and policies and works with necessary partners and all relevant Departments to ensure school infrastructure is acceptable and schools are adequately equipped.
Fosters relationships with principals and administrators, provincial government and other RCE counterparts; serves as RCE point person for food services matters.
Ensures compliance with proper food safety standards in kitchens, ensures schools have required permits and monitors the quality and consistency of food at all schools across the region.
Monitors compliance with regulatory and contractual requirements.
Monitors and supports food waste mitigation plans as applicable.
Procures or supports schools to procure food suppliers and/or food service providers and manage contracts and vendor relations. This includes supporting the procurement of service providers and vendors to deliver school food programs.
Prepares required monitoring and evaluation reports.
Coordinates and participates in mandated nutrition education meetings, professional standards, and training (ordering system, food safety, etc.).

Decision Making

The position is responsible to:
- plan and make recommendations on the program design and implementation for the school lunch implementation in the region;
- represent the region, providing recommendations to support provincial planning and determine how implementation will best work within the region;
- identify and make recommendations on service providers and vendors;
- identify and address any inequities that arise with respect to supporting students;
- consider cultural differences in schools and create/ensure there are menu options that acknowledge the importance of food not only in learning but also in developing a feeling of belonging and inclusion;
- ensure all children are able to participate in the program by working with the school community/SACs to ensure cultural differences, food allergies and food insecurities are considered;
- monitor progress and make recommendations for continuous improvement to ensure safety, nutritional and quality standards are met and ensures alignment with the provincial program;
- advise and support staff