Dietitian for Special Diet and Recipe Development

Job Overview
The Special Diet and Recipe Development Dietitian for the Child Nutrition Department ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local nutrition regulations, including those established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), and district policies. This role is responsible for maintaining accurate documentation, including special diet menus, standardized recipes, and production records. This Dietitian develops, implements, and manages individualized meal plans and accommodations for students with special dietary needs, including food allergies and medical conditions. This position also provides training and guidance to Child Nutrition staff on food allergies, dietary modifications, and required special diet accommodations to ensure safe and consistent practices across all campuses. In collaboration with the Child Nutrition operations team, this Dietitian is responsible for the development, testing, and standardization of recipes that meet nutritional guidelines, support menu innovation, and ensure operational feasibility across all campuses. In addition, this Dietitian supports nutrition education initiatives and wellness programs that promote healthy eating, physical activity, and a positive school nutrition environment for both students and staff.

Position Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Special Diet Management & Compliance

• Design and manage specialized student menus to support medical and dietary needs, including food allergies, intolerances, and texture modifications
• Ensure all accommodations meet USDA meal pattern requirements and district guidelines
• Process and maintain documentation for dietary accommodations, including Requests for Dietary Accommodations and Discontinuation forms, in alignment with federal, state, and departmental policies
• Monitor and assess compliance with special diet protocols; ensure meals served align with documented accommodations and USDA regulations
• Conduct campus reviews and provide coaching to staff to correct discrepancies and maintain student safety
• Compile, maintain, and organize all required documentation, records, and reports to support audits and program accountability

Training, Communication & Support

• Develop and deliver staff training on food allergies, dietary modifications, special diet procedures, and recipe implementation
• Assist in designing and delivering staff development programs and onboarding training for new employees
• Communicate special diet protocols and procedures clearly to district staff, parents, and community stakeholders to ensure consistency and understanding
• Collaborate with medical professionals, school nurses, and support staff to coordinate care for students with medically necessary dietary needs

Recipe Development & Menu Innovation

• Collaborate with Child Nutrition operations, culinary staff, and vendors to develop, test, and standardize recipes that meet USDA meal pattern requirements and district nutrition standards
• Create and modify recipes to accommodate special dietary needs, including allergen-free, gluten-free, texture-modified, and medically necessary diets
• Conduct nutrient analysis to ensure all recipes meet federal and state nutritional guidelines
• Assist with the evaluation of recipes for operational feasibility, including preparation methods, equipment needs, staff skill level, and production scalability across campuses
• Perform product testing and student acceptability assessments to support menu adoption and participation
• Perform initial standardization of new recipes using Child Nutrition software with clear instructions, portion sizes, yields, and production guidelines for consistent implementation
• Collaborate with procurement and operations to align recipes with approved products, cost targets, and commodity utilization
• Assist with the maintenance of the district recipe database, ensuring accuracy of ingredients, production records, and credited components
• Support cycle menu development by incorporating new recipes that balance nutrition, cost, student appeal, and operational efficiency
• Assist with providing training and guidance to staff on new recipes, preparation techniques, and best practices for execution

Program Support, Engagement & Outreach

• Support with age-appropriate nutrition education to students and staff to promote healthy eating and lifelong wellness
• Actively participate in the District School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) to support wellness initiatives
• Contribute to marketing and promotional initiatives, including events, campaigns, and student engagement activities
• Participate in community outreach events such as health fairs, food shows, and student food competitions
• Assist with engagement opportunities including Parent Advisory Committees, Campus Student Advisory Councils, and precepting dietetic interns

Professional Development

• Engage in ongoing professional development through local, state, and national nutrition organizations
• Stay current on best practices, regulatory updates, and industry trends to continuously improve program effectiveness

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None