Health and Nutrition Services Coordinator in Sarasota, Florida at Children First Inc

The Health & Nutrition Services Coordinator (HNSC) is responsible for the coordination and monitoring of health and nutrition services through adherence to Head Start Program Performance Standards and other regulatory requirements pertaining to child health and nutrition. The NHSC works in collaboration with the Early Childhood Nurse and Family Services staff under the direction of the Director of Family Services. This position is responsible for data collection, entry, quality, integrity, analysis and reporting for continuous quality improvement and compliance. Work is reviewed through regular coaching, feedback and performance reviews with supervisor.

Job Requirements include:

• ­Valid Driver’s License and acceptable driving record – proof of auto insurance within agency limits, or access to transportation.
• ­Immediate/continued enrollment in the Criminal History Registry-Child Care Division.
• ­Current Health Appraisal, updated every two (2) years.
• ­Certification in Infant/Child CPR and First Aid certification, required/desired.
• Associate’s degree minimum required. Degree in Health, Nutrition or closely related field preferred.
• ­Experience in Health and/or Nutrition Services preferred.
• ­Strong computer skills required.

Knowledge of:

• ­Infant/Child Health (oral and physical) including state Medicaid EPSDT requirements.
• ­Community Resources access and availability.
• ­Principles, practices and objectives of Head Start programs.
• ­Early childhood education and intervention, desired.

Skill/Ability to:

• Speak, read and write English; bilingual in English/Spanish is helpful.
• ­Communicate, orally and in writing, with all levels of audiences.
• ­Teach and/or train staff, utilizing adult learning principles.
• ­Manage time, stress and constantly changing situations; prioritize a complex workload to meet deadlines.
• ­Utilize agency resources to appropriately answer questions and provide guidance to staff and parents.
• ­Provide compliance monitoring in a proactive and supportive manner.
• ­Solve problems and make decisions in a constantly changing regulatory environment.
• ­Translate theory and professional training into practical solutions.
• ­Deal with sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner.
• ­Collect, analyze and aggregate program data and make accurate reports and recommendations.
• ­Work cooperatively and collaboratively with parents, staff and community partners.
• ­Work independently without intense supervision.
• ­Set and maintain professional boundaries with families.
• ­Use of computer, word processing, database, Internet and e-mail.
• Work varied hours to accommodate the needs of the program.

Physical/Mental Demands:

• ­Lifts and/or moves up to 50 lbs.
• ­Kneels, stoops, bends, reaches and sits on floor to attend to children’s needs.
• ­Sitting, for working at keyboard and desk, (standing,) driving for home and site visits.
• ­Moves quickly to respond to children who are active and need redirection to protect their and others’ safety.
• ­Uses manual dexterity, reaches with hands and arms, stretches, and talks or hears.
• ­Responds both physically and mentally to emergency or crisis situations.
• Variability in temperature, environment and noise.
• ­Potential sensory response associated with toileting and/or children who are ill.
• ­Contact with children who are ill and/or possibly contagious.
• ­Contact with chemicals to clean and sanitize equipment and facility.

Children First offers a competitive compensation and benefits package.

Children First is an equal opportunity employer.

Please see the link below to the new care provider background screening clearinghouse education and awareness website. This site was implemented under the directive of HB 531 (2025). As part of these requirements, "Each specified agency must include a clear and conspicuous link to the webpage on its website and provide the link in all job vacancy advertisements and posts by the qualified entity."