Quality Systems Specialist - Health and Nutrition

Overview

MAKE AN IMPACT. CHANGE LIVES. END POVERTY.

Company Overview

At Orange County Head Start, we believe every child deserves the chance to shine. We are 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 are 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 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.

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

Under the general supervision of the Program Compliance and Improvement Manager, this role 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. The position supports high-quality, compliant health and nutrition services and fosters a culture of continuous program improvement to support the well-being of children and families.

The Specialist acts as a guide and partner, providing feedback and tools to maintain program integrity and a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment for every child.

• 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 includes reviews of data and reports within the agency’s management software to confirm that documentation reflects high-quality services.
  
  Emphasis is on continuous quality improvement and recognizing staff achievements.
• Maintain expert-level knowledge of HSPPS, CACFP, Title 5, Title 22, the Head Start Act, and other relevant regulations.
• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of OCHS and partner agency policies and procedures relevant to monitoring Health and Nutrition Services.
• Serve as a resource for staff navigating regulations and act as a bridge for internal OCHS and partner-specific Service Area Plans, Policies, and Procedures (SAPPPs).
• Participate in health and safety site assessments, working with site teams to ensure hazard-free and welcoming environments.
• Data Management & Strategic Reporting
• Complete, manage, and maintain all data entry, tracking, and documentation systems to ensure monitoring results are accurate, timely, and accessible for high-level analysis. Use data to support informed decision-making, guide continuous quality improvement, identify professional development needs, and inform data-driven strategic planning across the program.
• Provide support translating monitoring findings into formal reports; provide strategic input on SAPPPs to close compliance gaps.
• Maintain a consistent feedback loop with leadership, providing regular updates on monitoring trends and potential risks.

• Build trust-based relationships with OCHS and partner agency staff to facilitate a transparent, supportive 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.

• Stay ahead of regulatory changes at the federal, state, and local…