Public Health Nutritionist II/III

Public Health Nutritionist

The Ventura County Public Health Department is an accredited public health organization that presents dynamic and exciting career opportunities. Here, you will have the opportunity to gain community nutrition intervention experiences and work with a team of qualified and compassionate individuals using evidence-based community interventions in an effort to improve the health of children in the County of Ventura. Under general supervision, you will oversee and provide nutrition and dietary education to individuals and groups, as well as conduct assessment and counseling to clients, including clients with complex medical conditions. You will also develop and implement nutrition education plans, counsel high risk participants, develop and teach education classes, train and supervise paraprofessional staff and work with multidisciplinary teams of medical professionals. Finally, you will provide nutrition expertise to the WIC Program, Healthy Children's Division, Community Health Nursing and other department staff, as well as supervise nutrition operations, provide breast feeding education and support, and perform related duties as assigned.

We are looking for compassionate and empathetic individuals to work with families and individuals from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. The ideal candidate can easily establish rapport with people, is willing to interact with families with infants, small children and/or young adults on a regular basis, engages in interdisciplinary collaboration with professionals across multiple fields, and is able to provide appropriate nutrition care to individuals with complex medical conditions. Additionally, bilingual skills in English and Spanish are strongly desirable.

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. In addition to the annual salary an employee within these positions may also be eligible for the following:

• Bilingual Incentive - depending upon operational needs and certification of skill
• Educational Incentive - Incumbents may also be eligible for an educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, or 5% for completion of a graduate degree for educational attainments not specifically required by the position
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan
• Health Plans - Full-time employees are afforded a flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increase spending power through reimbursement of pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses
• Pension Plan - Both the County and employees contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems, such as PERS
• Holidays - 13 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday

Public Health Nutritionist II and III are represented by the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU) and are not eligible for overtime compensation. If appointed at the lower level, incumbent may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with the business needs of the department.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-Term), Intermittent, and Extra-Help vacancies. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy that will work with the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, Healthy Children's Division (HCD) and Community Health Nursing (CHN).

Opening Date: 4/29/2026

Closing Date: Continuous (Previously 5/14/2026)

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following: Public Health Nutritionist II:

• Assesses, plans, evaluates, and monitors client's health status as it relates to nutrition
• Maintains timely and thorough documentation of nutrition assessments, interventions, care plans, and client status in accordance with organizational and regulatory standards
• Regularly travels throughout the county for home visits, medical therapy conferences, presentations, and meetings
• Engages in interdisciplinary collaboration with professionals across multiple fields
• Provides patient and family education to assist in the achievement of nutritional goals
• Provides breastfeeding support to clients
• Collaborates and partners with staff to support case management of clients
• Coordinates client care and supports program operations including coordinating with medical teams, determining eligibility, implementing program policies, approving dietary needs, and making referrals to community resources
• Develops and delivers training, education, and program materials, and participates in program development, studies, and surveys related to nutrition services
• Participates in program development, studies, and surveys related to nutrition services and topics, which may include nutritional status, dietary patterns and food needs of selected population groups
• Provides administrative and operational support including supervising staff, resolving conflicts, and performing special projects and related duties as assigned
• Performs other duties as assigned

Public Health Nutritionist III: In addition to the above duties, the Public Health Nutritionist III may perform the following:

• Assumes ultimate responsibility for all WIC services provided at assigned WIC site
• Hires, supervises, trains, and evaluates staff
• Collaborates with the state and external agency stakeholders to advance goals of the WIC program
• Supports grant activities that support the clients of specified programs

Education, Training and Experience:

• Public Health Nutritionist II: Possession of a bachelor's degree in nutrition and/or dietetics from an accredited college or university; Current registration as a Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; One (1) year of experience equivalent to a Public Health Nutritionist I with the County of Ventura
• Public Health Nutritionist III: Possession of a bachelor's degree in nutrition and/or dietetics from an accredited college or university; Current registration as a Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Two (2) years of experience equivalent to a Public Health Nutritionist I with the County of Ventura

Necessary Special Requirements: Continuing Education Units (CEU) in compliance with requirements of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics are mandatory conditions of employment; Must clear Live Scan prior to date of hire; Must possess and maintain a California Driver's License by first date of hire

Desired: Bilingual skill in English and Spanish

Supplemental Information: Work is primarily performed in an office, clinic, and/or field environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Thorough knowledge of: principles, techniques, and practices of public health nutrition, including nutrition assessment and dietary analysis; methods and techniques used in nutrition investigations and population-based dietary studies; community health systems, public health programs, and available community resources; chronic diseases and medical conditions commonly impacted by nutrition, and their dietary management; and standard office software, electronic medical records, and program data systems. Skilled in: utilizing electronic medical records and program databases for documentation and information retrieval; operating standard office equipment and technology. Ability to: assess, plan, and evaluate clients' nutritional status and develop appropriate care plans; analyze diets and nutritional data for adequacy and therapeutic value; interpret and apply program rules, policies, and eligibility requirements; provide effective nutrition counseling and education to individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds; establish rapport and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, and community partners; communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including conducting group presentations; analyze situations accurately and implement appropriate courses of action; maintain accurate records and ensure client confidentiality; travel independently to multiple work locations throughout the county to provide services, attend meetings, and conduct site-based activities.

In addition to the above KSAs, the Public Health Nutritionist III may require the following KSAs: Thorough knowledge of: principles and practices of supervision and program oversight. Ability to: supervise, train, and evaluate staff; oversee program operations and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements; collaborate with external stakeholders and support program and grant initiatives.