The Support Services Specialist is responsible for overseeing and coordinating dietary and food service operations primarily on the afternoon and evening shifts to ensure high-quality patient, customer, and staff experiences. This position manages departmental support functions, including catering services, calendar coordination, documentation, project support, and food service delivery. The role serves as a key liaison between staff, patients, families, and other departments to promote effective communication, resolve service issues, and support operational efficiency.

Position Responsibilities

Support Services

• Coordinate and manage the department’s catering functions and calendar.

• Create, update and track hospital forms related to the Dietary department.

• Supervise the delivery of food services.

• Coordinate and provide services for patients.

• Ensure compliance of tasks, compliance goals, and patient/customer satisfaction expectations.

Communication and Collaboration

• Communicate with staff and other units/departments on a regular basis to promote effective and efficient operations and to address and resolve issues with patients, families and staff.

• Utilizes leadership, critical thinking skills, technical expertise, teamwork, and collaboration to achieve department objectives.

• Implement strategies to resolve service issues.

• Review, respond, and resolve requests and issues from staff and customers.

Programs, Policies, Practices that Enhance Patient/Staff Environment

• Sets up and manages meetings, compiles status reports, and coordinates project schedules as requested.

• Helps define project scope, requirements, and deliveries.

• Assists in developing, evaluating, and modifying departmental policies, manuals, procedures, and equipment.

• Inspects all work areas, storage, and serving areas; performs Quality Assurance and safety evaluations.

• Assures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations relative to food service operations and health standards.

Human Resources Management

• Provides oversight and direction to afternoon food service team members.

• Provide direction, assignments, feedback, coaching, and counseling to staff and key stakeholders to assure outcomes are achieved.

• May assist with hiring, developing, and managing the performance of staff.

• May provide functional and/or administrative supervision of staff. Financial Management

• Leads the cash handling program, including compliance, documentation, and staff training.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 1-year prior experience with foodservice and foodservice software systems.

• Prior experience with Microsoft Excel.

• Must be detail-oriented, organized, and able to work with a variety of computer software programs.

• Excellent written and verbal communication and strong interpersonal skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Prior supervisory or project experience, related to or not related to foodservice.

• Prior experience with CBORD food service software system.

• Experience with cash handling practices in a retail or regulatory setting.

Application Process: In order to be considered, applicants must upload a resume (under submission relevant materials). Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days.

Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and education verification. Please contact emilio-villagrana@uiowa.edu with any questions.