About this role
Title: Specialized Special Education Nutrition & Food Service Educator Status: Full-time, in-person Union: VBIESPA Department/Program/Service: Instructional Services Reports To: Administrator of Instructional Systems and School Support Job Goals: The Specialized Special Education Nutrition & Food Service Educator provides direct, hands-on nutrition education and wellness programming to students receiving special education services across VBISD programs. The position builds student knowledge, engagement, and independence in making healthy lifestyle choices through experiential learning opportunities tailored to a wide range of cognitive, physical, and social-emotional needs. Qualifications: Education and Certification:
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in education, nutrition, health and wellness, food service, culinary arts, or a related field preferred.
• Appropriate food safety certification or willingness to obtain certification as required.
Work Experience:
• Experience working with students with diverse learning needs, including students receiving special education services.
• Experience in nutrition education, food preparation, food service, health and wellness, or a related area preferred.
• Experience designing or facilitating hands-on, experiential learning opportunities preferred.
• Experience working collaboratively within a school, educational program, or community-based setting preferred.
Essential Job Functions: Skills:
• Design and deliver developmentally appropriate, hands-on nutrition and wellness instruction for students across a range of ages and abilities.
• Adapt instruction and learning experiences to meet diverse cognitive, emotional, physical, and communication needs.
• Facilitate interactive learning experiences including cooking, tasting, gardening, food preparation, and movement-based activities.
• Support student development of daily living and independence skills, including food preparation, safe food handling, kitchen safety, and clean-up routines.
• Develop programming that promotes healthy eating habits, physical activity, and understanding of food sources and food systems.
• Incorporate real-world applications that support student independence, life skills, and transition goals.
• Utilize creative tools and resources, including garden systems, hydroponics, flavor stations, and other experiential resources to enhance student engagement.
• Collaborate effectively with special education teachers, ancillary staff, administrators, and other educational professionals to align programming with student needs and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), when appropriate.
• Partner with VBISD programs and, when appropriate, local school districts to support food service enhancements, wellness activities, and related initiatives.
• Communicate effectively with staff to coordinate schedules, programming, materials, and student learning experiences.
• Manage a flexible daily schedule across multiple VBISD programs and locations, prioritizing services based on student and program needs.
• Organize, maintain, and safely use materials, supplies, food, equipment, and instructional resources needed for lessons and demonstrations.
• Make student-centered decisions.
• Adhere to federal, state and VBISD policies and procedures.
• Model VBISD guidelines: Respect, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence.
• Complete assigned responsibilities within agreed upon timelines.
• Seek ongoing improvement and accept feedback in a professional way.
• Perform additional tasks, responsibilities and duties as assigned by the Director or Superintendent.
• Valid driver's license required.
Physical Requirements:
• Ability to stand, bend, reach, and move up and down from the floor throughout the workday.
• Ability to actively participate with students in cooking, gardening, movement, and other hands-on learning experiences.
• Ability to travel across the county and between VBISD programs and potential district sites.
• Ability to work in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments, including classrooms, kitchens, gardens, and other instructional spaces.
• Ability to safely handle and operate materials, supplies, food preparation equipment, and instructional tools.
• Ability to lift and carry materials and supplies associated with food preparation, gardening, and instructional activities.
• Ability to lift up 35-40 pounds.
WORK SCHEDULE
• 183 days per year.
• 7.0 hours per day.
• Additional summer hours may be available based on program needs and must be pre-approved.
Terms of Employment: As per master agreement and provisions established by the Van Buren Board of Education. This posting and our online application can be found at www.vbisd.org under Employment. If you do not have access to a computer with internet access, you may use a computer at VBISD by calling 269-539-5218. The position is open until filled. In-house staff must fill out the online internal application.