Dietitian / Nutritionist Consultant

Position Overview

Peers & Partners, Inc. is seeking an experienced and credentialed Dietitian / Nutritionist Consultant to provide specialized nutrition expertise in support of a potential federal contract with the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS).

The consultant will support the delivery, assessment, and improvement of nutrition services within Head Start and Early Head Start programs serving children from birth through age five, including infants, toddlers, preschool-aged children, and their families.

The position will focus on promoting child health and development, ensuring continuity of nutrition services during program transitions, and providing technical guidance on nutrition practices, meal planning, dietary accommodations, and applicable federal and state requirements.

The ideal candidate will have direct experience working with early childhood education programs, child nutrition services, or federally funded nutrition initiatives. Experience supporting Head Start, Early Head Start, or OHS-funded programs is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide nutrition consultation and technical assistance to Head Start and Early Head Start programs grant recipient transitions.
• Assess existing nutrition services, meal planning practices, food service operations, and related program policies to identify service gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Support compliance with applicable Head Start Program Performance Standards related to child nutrition, health, and family services.
• Provide guidance on age-appropriate nutrition for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children, including feeding practices and healthy growth and development.
• Review meal plans and menus to support nutritional adequacy, dietary variety, and applicable Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) requirements.
• Advise on food allergies, special dietary needs, medically prescribed dietary modifications, and appropriate coordination with healthcare providers.
• Support nutrition education initiatives for staff, parents, caregivers, and families.
• Assist programs in developing or strengthening nutrition policies, procedures, and quality improvement activities.
• Identify risks affecting the continuity of nutrition and meal services during program transitions and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with program administrators, health services teams, food service personnel, family services staff, and community partners.
• Provide training and technical assistance related to nutrition services, food safety, infant feeding, and healthy eating practices.
• Prepare written assessments, recommendations, technical guidance, and documentation to support program monitoring and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• A current Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN/RD) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration. A nutritionist may qualify instead with a degree in nutrition or a closely related field and qualifications appropriate to the assigned duties, as 45 CFR 1302.91(e)(8)(iii) allows.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in dietetics, nutrition, food and nutrition science, or a closely related field.
• Ability to hold or obtain the license or certification each state requires for nutrition services where services are provided (for example LD or LDN), and to keep it active and unrestricted throughout the engagement.
• Demonstrated professional experience in pediatric nutrition, maternal and child nutrition, community nutrition, or early childhood nutrition services.
• Experience working with or directly supporting early childhood education or childcare programs serving children from birth through age five, expectant mothers, and their families.
• Knowledge of infant and young child nutrition, breastfeeding support, developmental feeding practices, food allergies, and special dietary accommodations.
• Knowledge of CACFP and USDA meal pattern requirements, which Head Start meals must meet under 45 CFR 1302.44.
• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation practices in group care settings.
• Experience providing nutrition consultation, training, technical assistance, or program assessments.
• Strong analytical, communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working directly with Head Start, Early Head Start, or other OHS-funded programs.
• Working knowledge of the Head Start Program Performance Standards, including requirements related to:
  • nutrition services (1302.44)
  • child health status and care (1302.42)

• family support services for health, nutrition, and mental health (1302.46)
• the nutrition qualification requirement (1302.91(e)(8)(iii))

• Experience with CACFP administration, compliance reviews, menu planning, and monitoring.
• Experience supporting federally funded early childhood nutrition or public health programs.
• Experience developing nutrition policies, conducting program assessments, and supporting corrective action plans.
• Experience with WIC, maternal and child health programs, or community-based nutrition initiatives.
• Experience supporting nutrition services during organizational transitions or periods of program stabilization.
• Fluency in a language other than English, especially Spanish.

• Ability to provide consultation both on site and remotely.

Additional Information

This consulting opportunity is anticipated to support Peers. Engagements may involve virtual consultation, technical assistance, nutrition program assessments, and occasional travel to assigned program locations. Significant travel may be required.

Consultants will be expected to maintain applicable professional credentials and licensure and provide services within their authorized scope of practice.