NSS Compliance Specialist

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

Nutrition Support Services (NSS) is responsible for supporting the District's academic community by providing nutritious and appealing meals with excellent customer service, in a safe and clean environment to every student each school day. NSS serves over 60 million meals to 300,000+ students daily.

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Manager of Nutritional Support Operations, the NSS Compliance Specialist provides direction and control of assigned schools to achieve operating and financial goals. This role provides oversight and coordinates the activities of CPS food service workers engaged in preparing and serving nutritional meals to students. Ensures that the schools comply with regulations governing the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Seamless Summer Feeding Program, and the USDA.

The NSS Compliance Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Review and recommend staffing levels to senior management and assist with the staffing process.
• Provide guidance to school dining managers and staff in performing job duties and tasks.
• Conduct Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) required reviews and operational inspections and ensure that required follow-up is completed so that schools are in compliance with the Chicago Department of Public Health and the USDA.
• Conduct on-site and operational reviews to ensure compliance meeting all necessary guidelines set forth by the USDA, ISBE and CDPH.
• Review front and back-of-house meal accountability reports at each school unit to ensure that meals are being properly reported and claimed.
• Review bank deposit slips, cash handling, and monies recorded on the sales transaction reports to ensure that all cash collected in school units is properly and accurately accounted for.
• Responsible for ensuring that the food prepared and served to students meets quality and nutritional expectations, batch cooking is in place at each school and proper temperatures are maintained.
• Evaluate food for taste, temperature, appearance, and portion size during school visits.
• Assist in the development and review of training materials in collaboration with the Training Specialists for professional development days and required training.
• Assist in the school-based training of employees using training acknowledgment forms
• Identify and recommend equipment needs, repair and replace equipment in support of the Equipment Coordinator.
• Address inquiries and complaints from principals, parents, local school council members, school staff, and students and develop and implement timely resolutions.
• Review and hold vendors accountable for performance and provide action plans to improve service where needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the NSS Compliance Specialist must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:
• High school diploma or GED equivalent is required.
• Bachelor's degree in food service management or hospitality from an accredited college or university, preferred.
• City of Chicago Food Service Manager's Sanitation License is required.

Experience Required:
• Minimum of seven (7) years of food service experience with front and back of the house operations is required, or a minimum of three (3) years of experience with a Bachelor's degree
• Multi-unit food service management experience is required
• Experience monitoring and documenting school operations performance for local, state, and federal (USDA) compliance
• Experience in labor relations and managing in a multi-contract union environment is required
• Progressive experience in an education food service operation and/or institutional food service background, including leading and supporting staff is highly preferred.

Other Requirements:
• Flexibility in scheduling; Some evening and weekend work is required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of contract-managed services or the ability to quickly learn and put this knowledge into practice
• Knowledge of and ability to use human resource management practices and procedures
• Proficiency using computers and software including, but not limited to, Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, and Google Workspace
• Ability to quickly learn and leverage new policies, practices, and systems
• Ability to successfully create and/or modify processes.
• Knowledge of food service best practices and the ability to successfully apply these practices in the workplace

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. "Up-to-date" on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.