Elderly Nutrition Specialist

This job opportunity is with a tribal elder nutrition program that aims to provide nutritious, cost-effective meals and essential health services to tribal elders. The program ensures food safety practices, nutrition education, and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations including the Older American Act and HIPAA laws. The organization operates with a mission to support the health and well-being of the elderly population by managing the delivery of meals tailored to their dietary needs as well as offering wellness assessments and nutrition education workshops. As a part of tribal government services, this entity works closely with agencies such as Title III, VI, XX, LIHEAP, and the Indian Health Care System to deliver comprehensive care and nutrition services to elders in the community.

The role involves managing day-to-day operations and administrative functions of the meal delivery program. This includes training and supervising kitchen staff and drivers, maintaining rigorous sanitary conditions, and ensuring food safety handling protocols along with tracking food temperatures. The program manager is responsible for maintaining and monitoring food inventory, vendor orders, and supervising food preparation, cooking, and delivery of meals specifically to tribal elders. They help develop and monitor menu plans that address the special dietary needs of participants, strictly adhering to federal and state nutritional guidelines. Additionally, the position requires developing and monitoring departmental budgets, overseeing expenditures, and managing weekly inventory of food and supplies to ensure resources are efficiently utilized.

Another critical aspect of this leadership position is conducting nutrition assessments and providing personalized nutrition education both individually and in groups. The program manager develops, implements, and analyzes policies and procedures, intake forms, and maintains case management files for the Elder Nutrition Program. They also evaluate, assess, and monitor participant health needs while coordinating additional services such as transportation to medical appointments and connecting participants to community resources including Social Security and health coverage programs. The role involves preparing programmatic reports to various grant agencies on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis, ensuring compliance and transparency for continued funding and support.

The ideal candidate for this role will have a deep commitment to working with the elderly, respect for tribal traditions, and a solid background in nutrition, food service management, or dietetics. They should possess excellent organizational and multitasking skills to manage high-pressure situations with detail orientation and self-motivation. A passion for improving the quality of life of tribal elders through nutrition education, wellness activities, and effective program management is essential. The candidate must also demonstrate confidentiality and a professional approach to managing sensitive participant information. This comprehensive role offers an opportunity to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of a cherished community demographic, providing valuable support and services that enhance their nutritional status and overall quality of life.