Training and Hiring Requirements

Farm To School Sub-Grant Application Requirements And How To Handle Supply Chain Challenges.

New Director Requirements

Directors, hired on or after July 1, 2015, are required to meet minimum education and work experience standards. Directors hired prior to July 1, 2015 are grandfathered in.

Review the School Nutrition Directors Hiring Standards

Annual Training Requirements

The USDA established minimum annual training requirements for school nutrition professionals who manage and operate the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

Training Resources & Tools:

Professional Development

All training must be tracked on a training tracker with the key area and learning objective codes.

Food Service Directors: 12 hours
Managers: 10 hours
Full-Time Staff (> 20 hours per week): 6 hours
Part-Time Staff (< 20 hours per week): 4 hours

Training Tracker Tools are available from CDE and USDA.

Track Your Progress

Child Nutrition Program Hiring Tools

Filling open jobs is easier when you use the right tools to attract good candidates. Use the materials below to reach more people and promote your open positions! The toolkit includes short videos, flyers, posters, social media posts and key messages to help spread the word.

Recruitment Videos:

Share this recruitment video through social channels including your district or school’s website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and LinkedIn.

Recruitment Flyer

Include flyers in take-home folders and add content to school newsletters. Ask allied local groups (e.g., chambers of commerce, municipal/county governments, PTAs, recreation districts) to share the information on their channels including newsletters, facilities, and mailers. Post flyers at neighborhood gathering places, including recreation centers and libraries.

Download Recruitment Flyer: English, Spanish

Recruitment Posters

Post in prominent areas of school buildings, especially around back-to-school and parent-teacher conferences.

Download Recruitment Poster: English, Spanish

Nutrition Recruitment Social Media Posts

Promote open positions on your district or school’s website, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Social Media Post 1

Download Social Media Post 1: English, Spanish

Like any successful team, every position matters. You’re a key part of a successful, thriving school community that helps students thrive. Apply now to join our team! Visit [insert website] to view open positions.

Social Media Post 2

Download Social Media Post 2: English, Spanish

School nutrition professionals serve nutritious meals, often using fresh, local ingredients. Be part of a team that feeds young people and supports the local economy. Apply now to join our team! Visit [insert website] to view open positions.

Social Media Post 3

Download Social Media Post 3: English, Spanish

When you become a school nutrition professional, you join a good food movement that supports the health and lifelong success of your community’s next generations. Apply now to join our team! Visit [insert website] to view open positions.

Social Media Post 4

Download Social Media Post 4: English, Spanish

When you choose a career in school nutrition, you’re making a difference every day. You’re a key member of the school community, surrounded by others who share your commitment to giving students a great start. Apply now to join our team! Visit [insert website] to view open positions.

Recruitment Messaging & Tactics

For parents emphasize:

How they will be part of the school community supporting students like their own child.
Work schedules that align with the school calendar and school day.
Opportunity to earn money without significant education or certification requirements.
Role in supporting a motivating mission to help young people eat better and thrive.

For young adults emphasize:

Opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a rewarding career.
Potential to learn on-the-job skills to help them advance in the profession.
Role in supporting a motivating mission to help students eat better and thrive.

For second-act adults emphasize:

Opportunity to be part of an energizing and fun school community.
Role in supporting a motivating mission to help students eat better and thrive.
Social aspects of interacting with students and rewards of making a difference in their lives.

Additional Tactics to Spread the Word

Send press releases to local media outlets/community newspapers to highlight the need and opportunities for school nutrition workers. Releases should include messages for candidates from the three personas outlined above. Highlight local nutrition service professionals who can speak to the benefits of the career.
Consider paying to boost social posts to increase reach and improve targeting to key demographics who fit the profiles of potential candidates.
Post openings on job sites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, and Handshake (for new college graduates).

Sample Newsletter Article

Your next nutrition professional may already be part of the school district community. This is a job that may appeal to parents, grandparents and alumni who feel a connection. Parents also may appreciate the predictable hours that align with their children’s school schedule. That makes school and district newsletters a great way to spread the news of job opportunities.

Fuel the future as a school nutrition professional in our district

School meals are evolving and so is the school nutrition profession. Our district has openings for people who want to support the health and success of our students by providing the tasty and nutritious meals that fuel learning. Predictable schedules that align with the school day and calendar make this a great opportunity for those who are already connected to our district and want to make a difference close to home. There are a range of positions in nutrition services for those with a range of experience levels. All of the opportunities allow you to advance your career as you grow your skills, from food preparation to menu planning to budgeting. Whether you’re starting your career or looking for a second act, you may find a great fit. If you’re inspired by our mission of supporting students, check out the latest openings for these rewarding career opportunities. [insert link to openings].

Volunteers and Interns:

Volunteers and interns can be extremely helpful in filling gaps while recruiting for open positions. Review your district's policies on volunteers before hiring and follow the steps below:

Create a school nutrition volunteer guide to specify standards for your program. The Lunch Box created a Sample Volunteer Guide to start.
Invite college volunteers or other community members into the kitchen if there is not a strong parent/guardian presence available.
Leverage dietetic internship rotations.
- At the district level, dietetic interns can support planning special dietary menus, conduct outreach and marketing efforts, and plan special events. At meal sites, interns can help plan, prepare and serve meals.
- View the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' internship program directory

Additional Tools:

USDA Overcoming Staffing Shortages in School Food Service webinar and Powerpoint slides
Become a Colorado Employment First workfare site to provide SNAP recipients an opportunity to obtain work experience. View more information about Colorado Employment First.

Greeley-Evans School District 6 hires student workers. View a recent student worker job posting.

St. Vrain Valley School District highlights school nutrition benefits with testimonials on an easily navigated website. View St. Vrain Valley Nutrition opportunities.

Additional Training and Hiring Resources

Questions? Identify Your Program Point of Contact

Training and Hiring: Formal Procurement Checklist