Nutritionist Specialist- Public Health - WIC (Denton)

Nutritionist Specialist

This posting may close at any time once a sufficient number of applications have been received. The Nutritionist Specialist performs professional educational work, counseling clients of the Women, Infants, and Children's program. Work involves providing formal and informal instruction in proper nutritional habits and obtaining information from WIC program clients to determine nutritional status of clients and their children, including obtaining blood samples. Employee is also responsible for serving as a consultant to the other Public Health Department programs and conferring with various community health professionals and related groups to promote proper nutritional habits among women, including breastfeeding.

Examples of duties include determining eligibility for WIC program participation based on established program guidelines, teaching nutrition education classes and breastfeeding classes as set forth in the State approved plans; facilitating discussions on nutrition topics, working with mother/baby dyads having breastfeeding problems in order to help resolve them or reach the mother's goal, working with babies having problems with formula intolerance in order to find the best formula for their particular situation while staying in compliance with WIC policy, providing WIC clients with information and referrals in order to follow up on their health goals and risk factors identified by WIC during the eligibility screening, carrying out activities outlined in local agency and state plans including but not limited to, annual Nutrition Education Plan and Breastfeeding Plan, coordinating breastfeeding promotion and support efforts, planning and documenting breastfeeding training for staff according to State requirements; managing breast pumps for WIC, including ordering, tracking, cleaning, and repairing as necessary, counseling clients according to their concerns and needs; providing referrals as necessary, distributing EBT cards and shopping lists to participants, developing and leading nutrition, breastfeeding, and WIC outreach related projects, providing nutrition and health screenings for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children under five years old to determine eligibility for program; conducting lab work as necessary, serving as a consultant to other Public Health programs and conferring with various community health professionals and related groups to promote proper nutritional habits, performing clerical and administrative duties as necessary, including data entry and answering phone calls related to breastfeeding concerns, formula problems, or other nutrition related concerns, assigning and issuing food packages appropriate for the client's needs, regular and punctual attendance is required, performing other related duties as required.

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor's degree in a related field and a minimum one year of experience in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and related experience required. Registered Dietician preferred. Possession of a valid driver's license. Must be able to obtain a State of Texas driver's license within 90 days of employment. Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.

Denton County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible employees, retirees, and their families. These programs include group health plans for medical and dental coverage; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); life; disability, and long term care insurance; and flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care reimbursements. The County also provides retirement benefits. Full time employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS), and employees may also participate in a retirement savings program (Deferred Compensation). In addition to these "basic employee benefits" and retirement services, employees benefit from a variety of other programs including 12 paid holidays, Tuition Reimbursement, a Wellness Program, and more. Denton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, mental or physical disability, age, national origin or veteran status.