Quality Systems Specialist - Santa Ana, CA,

Quality Systems Specialist - Health and Nutrition · MAKE AN IMPACT. CHANGE LIVES. END POVERTY. · Company Overview · At Orange County Head Start, we believe every child deserves the chance to shine. That's why we're on a mission to level the playing field for children and families ...

Job description

Quality Systems Specialist - Health and Nutrition

MAKE AN IMPACT. CHANGE LIVES. END POVERTY.

Company Overview

At Orange County Head Start, we believe every child deserves the chance to shine. That's why we're on a mission to level the playing field for children and families in poverty. We partner with families to provide high-quality education and support through our Head Start and Early Head Start programs.  We're looking for passionate individuals who share our commitment to helping children reach their full potential. Be part of a team making a daily impact in children's lives. Work in a purpose-driven environment where your passion meets opportunity. Help children overcome challenges and unlock their potential. As part of our team, you'll play a vital role in shaping young lives.  Do you have the purpose and passion to make a real difference?  Join us and help children unleash their potential, while you unleash your own
 
This job description indicates the major duties required, but does not include all the duties and qualifications required.

Job Title: Quality Systems Specialist - Health and Nutrition

Administrative: 0%

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Department: Quality Systems

Programmatic: 100%

Employment Contract: No

Reports To: Program Compliance and Improvement Manager

Pay Grade: 8

Work Location: Main Office

Job Purpose Summary

Under the general supervision of the Program Compliance and Improvement Manager, ensures compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirements, and all other applicable regulations for OCHS and partner agencies. This position plays a critical role in ensuring that OCHS and its partner agencies provide high-quality, compliant health and nutrition services. This role is not just about checking boxes; it is about fostering a culture of continuous program improvement to support the well-being of the children and families we serve. This role serves as a champion for program excellence, ensuring that health and nutrition services not only meet mandates but also provide the highest level of care for children and families. The Specialist acts as a guide and partner, providing the feedback and tools necessary to maintain program integrity and ensure a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment for every child.

Quality Systems Specialist - Nutrition and Health Essential Job Duties

Compliance & Monitoring

1. Implement and execute a comprehensive monitoring framework for Head Start and Early Head Start Health and Nutrition services. This includes conducting on-site quality reviews and collaborative observations across all OCHS direct-service and partner-operated sites to ensure full compliance with program standards. The framework also includes thorough reviews of data and reports within the agency's management software system to confirm that documentation accurately reflects the high-quality services being delivered. Throughout the process, the approach emphasizes continuous quality improvement while recognizing and celebrating staff achievements.
2. Maintain expert-level knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), CACFP, Title 5, Title 22, the Head Start Act, and other relevant regulations.
3. Maintain comprehensive knowledge of OCHS and partner agency policies and procedures relevant to monitoring Health and Nutrition Services.
4. Serve as a helpful resource for staff in navigating and implementing complex regulations and acting as a bridge for internal OCHS and partner-specific Service Area Plans, Policies, and Procedures (SAPPPs), helping staff successfully translate these standards into daily practice.
5. participate in health and safety site assessments, working collectively with site teams to ensure physical environments remain hazard-free and welcoming.

2. Data Management & Strategic Reporting

1. Complete, manage, and maintain all data entry, tracking, and documentation systems to ensure monitoring results are accurate, timely, and accessible for high-level analysis. Leverage these data to support informed decision-making by guiding continuous quality improvement efforts, identifying professional development needs, and informing data-driven strategic planning across the program.
2. Provide support with translating monitoring findings into formal reports; provide strategic input on Service Area Plans, Policies, and Procedures (SAPPPs) to close compliance gaps.
3. Maintain a consistent feedback loop with leadership, providing regular updates on monitoring trends and potential risks.

3. Relationship Management & Culture Building

• Build trust-based relationships with OCHS and partner agency staff to facilitate a transparent, supportive, and effective monitoring process.
• Act as an ambassador for a "positive monitoring culture," shifting the perception of audits from "policing" to "partnership for improvement."
• Collaborate with the Quality Systems team and other agency departments and staff on special projects, agency events, and multidisciplinary committees.

4. Research & Continuous Learning

1. Stay ahead of the curve by researching changes in federal, state, and local regulations, ensuring the agency is prepared for upcoming shifts in Head Start Monitoring Protocols.

Other Essential Job Duties

1. Must have an interest in children and their development.
2. Mandated reporter under California's Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA).
3. Must abide by all agency policies, including agency's Standards of Conduct, fraud and confidentiality policies. Must not discuss the affairs of the staff, children, or Head Start families. Will only discuss agency business on a need-to-know basis.
4. Must be professional at all times and be neat and clean in personal appearance.
5. Responsible for establishing good working relations with parents, staff, professionals, and the general public.
6. Ability to take directives.
7. Serve as a member of your assigned work site team:

• Participate in staff meetings.
• Participate in the annual Community Assessment, Self-Assessment, and Program Information Report (PIR).
• Assist in the recruitment of children and volunteers.
• Assist in obtaining non-federal matching funds (in-kind).
• Cover job duties of absent staff as assigned by immediate supervisor or administration.
• Perform extra assignments in other areas and related task assignments in the work area.
• Provide support and resources to other employees.
• Maintain timelines and due dates of job-related activities via individual Google Calendar.
• Create and maintain visual work instructions, position and work site-related.

1. Regular, consistent attendance.
2. Domestic travel required.
3. Must be able to travel to assigned work location(s). This is not a work from home position.
4. Must keep the work area neat and clean.
5. Lift 10-30 lbs. regularly, up to 50 lbs. occasionally.
6. Perform other job-related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or administration.

Non-Essential Job Duties

1. Perform similar and incidental duties as assigned or required.

Job Qualifications

1. Education: Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, Nutrition, Public Health, or related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
2. Experience: Minimum of 5 years of related experience, preferably in Head Start or other educational, health, or social services organization; experience with monitoring programs for compliance.
3. Knowledge: Working knowledge of the HSPPS, CACFP, and other applicable laws, policies, and principles relating to the implementation of Head Start programs.
4. Language Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills.  Must be able to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
5. Math Skills: Basic math skills; ability to calculate figures and amounts, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages.
6. Other Skills:  Intermediate computer skills including the ability to use word processing, spreadsheet software packages, and email; must be able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks to meet stringent deadlines.
7. Reasoning Abilities: Ability to relate positively and effectively with staff at all levels of the agency and partner agencies.
8. Other Abilities: Ability to work in a team-oriented environment; build collaborative work relationships and work effectively with others; analytical ability with great attention to detail.
9. Other Requirements: Must have a valid California driver's license and proof of insurance for driving to centers, meetings, and training venues and successfully comply with OCHS's requirements relative to fingerprinting and criminal background checks.

Reporting Relationships

1. Reports to the Program Improvement and Compliance Manager.
2. Has no direct reports.

Major Business/Professional Contacts

1. Frequent contact with OCHS managers and staff as part of the ongoing monitoring process; contact with partner agency staff.

Working and Environmental Conditions

1. Typically functions in an office setting with frequent travel to centers and partner agency sites.

Physical Demands

1. Typically requires sitting for long periods of time for computer data entry and report writing.

 

I have read the duties set forth in the above job description and understand that the failure to fulfill such duties may result in my termination of employment with this agency. I understand that Orange County Head Start, Inc. is an "at will' employer. I hereby agree that I will be on call for work according to California Law requirements during any program layoff.

Signature: _________________________________________ Date: _______________

Print Name: _______________________________________
 
MAKE AN IMPACT. CHANGE LIVES. END POVERTY.