Director of CACFP

The Director of CACFP supports center-based, Out-of-School Time, and Family Child Care programs by guaranteeing federally compliant nutrition programs. This role contributes to TCG’s mission by providing free, nutritious meals to all children in our care on a daily basis. This is a full-time, exempt position with a hybrid work schedule that reports directly to the Chief Administrative Officer.

About The Community Group (TCG) 

The Community Group (TCG) is a private non-profit organization, based in Lawrence, MA whose mission is to create, manage, and nurture high-quality programs focused on education and related services that support families. TCG was founded in 1970 as the Community Day Care Center of Lawrence, a preschool with an enrollment of 20 children, since inception we have grown to an agency that manages: a successful charter public school, education and care programs dedicated to the healthy development of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, a robust out-of-school time enrichment program, resources that facilitate access to early education and care for families, including a Child Care Resource and Referral program, and a training and workforce development program to help shape the next generation of educators. 

About the Program / Department 

The CACFP provides valuable nutrition and administrative services to all of TCG’s childcare programs, including three free meals per day for each child at several childcare locations. The nutritional services team consists of several Business Office shared services staff who work collaboratively to meet the compliance requirements of this Federal Nutrition Program and conduct the daily operations of meal procurement and service. This role will play a critical part in ensuring compliance and coordinating resources across several programs including but not limited to: childcare centers/sites, contracted Family Child Care providers, finance, billing, program support, and other shared services departments. This position will also regularly interact and collaborate with contracted food vendor(s) and the state administrator of United States Department of Agriculture’s (USAD) CACFP Program, the Massachusetts Department of Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE). 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Compliance: Ensure meal services meet USDA federal nutrition standards. Oversee annual internal and external program reviews. Ensure satisfactory meeting of federal regulatory guidelines. Oversee annual Board of Health inspections; obtain annual food and milk permits. 

• Administration: Manage program records, budgets, and reporting. Explore and implement software and systems to organize program records and reports. Operationalize compliance guidelines so as not to interfere with the quality of childcare.  

• Monitoring: Conduct audits of staff and program documentation. 

• Training: Conduct staff development on food safety and nutritional standards. Outline annual training calendars as mandated by the Federal Nutrition Service (FNS). Obtain and maintain all required certifications.  

• Uphold a passionate belief in The Community Group's mission, values, and educational model. 

• Must have prior experience with and deep knowledge of USDA’s CACFP and regulations; general food service experience without specific USDA experience will not be considered 

• Must obtain and maintain various required certifications as required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (the state administrator of the federal nutrition programs) and by the USDA. 

• Strong organizational and communications skills; willingness to work with and through colleagues with no direct management relationship. 

• Strong research and outreach skills; willingness to confer with state and federal authorities for interpretation of guidelines. 

• Bachelor’s degree, preferred. 

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates strongly preferred. 

• Ability to successfully complete all required background checks, including a CORI check and any additional clearances required for the role. 

Work Environment - Physical Requirements: 

This position operates in a hybrid work environment, requiring both remote work and onsite presence at TCG’s main Business Office and other program sites, as needed. The role requires occasional travel within Lawrence to meet with programs and providers and observe operations and may involve occasional statewide travel for training and conferences. A valid driver’s license or reliable transportation is required. 

Physical demands include the ability to sit or stand for extended periods, move throughout office or program environments (which may include stairs or uneven surfaces), and communicate effectively in person, by phone, and electronically. The role may occasionally require lifting up to 10 pounds (such as files, laptops, or other office materials). This position may require occasional hours outside of a standard work schedule. 

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. 

Compensation Statement 

At The Community Group, we are committed to equitable and transparent compensation practices that reflect our values and mission. The posted salary range represents our good-faith estimate of pay for this position at the time of posting. Placement within this range will be determined using fair, non-discriminatory factors, including skills, experience, and competencies. Our compensation practices are regularly reviewed to ensure fairness, consistency, and compliance with the Massachusetts Pay Transparency Act. 

EEO Statement / Commitment to Diversity 

The Community Group is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity. 

E-Verify Notice 

The Community Group participates in the E-Verify program to determine the immigration and work-eligibility status of prospective employees. Please refer to the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Right to Work documents for more information.