Community Health Nutritionist

Community Health Nutritionist

Employer: Gila River Indian Community

Salary: $56,957.00 - $70,457.00 Annually

Location: 525 North Access Road, 85147, Sacaton, AZ

Job Type: Full-Time Regular

Department: GRIC - Tribal Health Department

Closing Date: Continuous

Distinguishing Features of the Class:

The Community Health Nutritionist is responsible for developing, coordinating, and evaluating a comprehensive approach and plan to nutritional issues and needs of the Community. This position works with community members, and institutions, on addressing major health issues on chronic illnesses facing the Community (e.g., diabetes, obesity, obesity related health issues, child nutrition and issues regarding nutrition in the community).

Essential Functions:

Develop and implement nutrition programs or intervention by identifying nutritional problems and needs, establishing short and long-term objectives, selecting priorities for nutritional services, determining and analyzing existing nutritional resources, and evaluating progress toward established goals and objectives on a regular basis; provide in-service education for staff members; orientate, train, and oversee nutritionists within the Community.

Provide direct nutritional services in schools to ensure adequate and proper nutrition policies are met as determined by the agencies; provide nutrition consultation and in-service nutrition education for professional and non-professional personnel. Act in an advocacy role in support of legislation for food and nutrition programs; help involve Community members in assuming responsibility for improving their nutritional health.

Establish and maintain cooperative relations with other programs, community entities, and institutions to determine needs assessment and program plans to assist in planning and implementing programs with a food and nutrition component; coordinate nutritional diabetes intervention services.

Provide leadership, coordination and oversight to department nutritionist and registered dieticians in resource utilization and planning to provide a continuous and consistent educational program adapted to the community culture and its expectations.

Seek and pursue grant-funding opportunities to expand and promote broad based intervention to prevent diabetes and other chronic illnesses; develop and/or use program evaluation tools to assess and report progress toward objectives as required.

Participate in health related meetings including health, advisory, and disciplinary groups; participate in workshops, conferences, professional organizations and other educational programs in the Community; review periodicals and technical literature and attend approved educational programs to stay abreast of latest developments in nutrition and dietetics.

Maintain required records and submit narrative/statistical reports as required by various funding agencies.

Maintain and complete the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country (GHWIC) grant deliverables and activities; Provide direct administrative and management oversight to include direct work plans, reporting, budget monitoring, and the integration of the Community Health Nutrition program into other programs of the Gila River Tribal Health Department.

Plan for and/or develop precepts for students that may be assigned for experience in public health nutrition.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skill and Ability:

Knowledge of nutrition and its application in the prevention and control of disease and chronic illnesses.

Knowledge of the Gila River Indian Community and its nutritional needs.

Knowledge of funding and budgeting processes used by the Gila River Indian Community.

Knowledge of grant funding, policies, and procedures.

Knowledge in use of research techniques to obtain data and prepare narrative/statistical reports.

Knowledge of management and administrative procedures.

Skilled in researching grants acquisitions and Microsoft applications.

Ability to analyze nutritional problems and make sound recommendations for prevention and control.

Ability to manage and maintain grant deliverables.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to various audiences within the Community and its federal and state partners.

Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare reports.

Ability to adjust in unique culture setting and flexibility in working with individuals of varied backgrounds and experiences.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, Community Officials and the public.

Ability to perform all physical requirements of the position; agree to maintain a Drug-free workplace.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health, Nutrition, Dietetics, Food & Nutrition, or a closely related field and three (3) years' experience in a public/private health agency, hospital, or clinic providing nutritional care, or nutritional education.

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health, Nutrition, Dietetics, Food & Nutrition, or closely related field is preferred.

Experience with rigorous research projects preferred.

Additional Requirement:

Registered Dietician or Certified Diabetes Educator preferred

Required to obtain a Tribal Operator's permit. Valid state driver's license with a current proof of driving record for the past 39 months will be required to qualify for a tribal driving permit. Proof of driving record must be submitted with application and must not be more than 60 days old from the date of submission of the application

Required to pass a background check and fingerprint clearance as a condition of employment and must continue to maintain throughout duration of employment.

Background checks are required for positions that involve regular contact with or control over Community Children in accordance with The Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, 25 U.S.C. Sections 3201 through 3210 and C.F.R. Part 63 and positions that have regular contact with the Elderly