NUTRITION EDUCATOR

Nutrition EducatorThank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County. If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place. Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida. We hope you decide to join our team!Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.Your Specific Responsibilities:This position provides professional nutrition education and breastfeeding counseling and support to clients at any site or location in the geographic area covered by the Polk/Hardee WIC Program.WIC Program Duties:Completes the medical history, nutrition history, and breastfeeding assessment for WIC clients, except those determined to be at medical high risk.Develops, monitors, evaluates, and revises nutrition education plans for high and low risk WIC clients and provides/documents nutrition and breastfeeding counseling per program policies.Certifies eligible clients for participation in the WIC program by determining and assigning correct nutrition risk per program policies.Assigns/updates client food prescriptions according to program regulations.Reviews medical and health records for nutritionally relevant data and refers medical high risk clients to the Public Health Nutritionist for counseling.Completes inventories as assigned.Provides classes and group nutrition education per class lesson plans with appropriate documentation.Assists the Public Health Nutritionist Supervisor in the supervision of the clinic (including complaints) and clinic staff.Conducts quality improvement (QI) monitoring and reporting as directed by supervisor.Performance of other assigned duties as requested by supervisor.Completes administrative forms such as EARs, time sheets, and travel per department policies and required deadlines.Attends and participates in staff meetings, in-service trainings, and other staff development activities.Assists with outreach activities, health fairs and other community activities as needed.Completes all mandatory trainings within required time frames.Complies with all Department of Health and WIC security and confidentiality rules and regulations.This position may serve clients that speak only Spanish, Creole, or other languages. It may require performance of interpreter duties, if bilingual, or implementation of the Department's Limited English Proficiency Plan.Performs other duties as required, including performance of additional interpreter duties, consistent with skill level, and as needed.Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Knowledge of the current science and practice of food and nutrition, dietetics, or food serviceKnowledge of normal nutrition principles and food needs throughout the life cycleKnowledge of meal planning, food budgeting and purchasing.Ability to provide nutrition education to others in group or individual instruction.Ability to determine nutritional needs and develop nutrition education plans for individuals who are not at medically high nutritional riskAbility to participate in education or in-service training programs through teaching classes, demonstrating food practices, giving talks, and developing or selecting educational materials.Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.Qualifications:Minimum - Current Florida Driver's LicenseBachelor's degree (or master's degree or higher) from an accredited college or university with the major course of study in public health nutrition, nutrition, dietetics, food and nutrition, or food service management. As required by the Florida state WIC program.Where You Will Work: Lakeland, FLThe Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including: Annual and Sick Leave benefits; Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year; State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options; Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click ); Flexible Spending Accounts; Tuition waivers; And more! For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit