Senior Nutrition Assistant (Bilingual English/Spanish)

Job Description

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program of the Department of Human Services is hiring a bilingual Senior Nutrition Assistant to provide critical WIC-related nutrition services and eligibility assessment to WIC program's clients and families in compliance with local, state and federal regulations. This position provides support to clients seeking services from USDA's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children with limited English proficiency.


To learn more, please visit: Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program - Official Website of Arlington County Virginia Government

Responsibilities

Specific duties include:

• Providing nutrition services, education and assessment to low-risk parents and children on a one-on-one basis or in a large group setting;
• Determining WIC program financial and residential eligibility and explaining WIC policies and procedures to clients;
• Assisting in assessing the nutritional risks of clients by obtaining anthropometric and hemoglobin values, and health and lifestyle histories;
• Referring clients to medical and social services;
• Developing individualized nutrition and breastfeeding care plans based on assessment of nutritional risks.
• Serving as the County's WIC Designated Breastfeeding Expert and Breastfeeding Coordinator to include counseling mothers and infants with complex breastfeeding situations;
• Participating in emergency preparedness and other community outreach activities;
• Providing literacy and language communication appropriate to meet the needs of a diverse population;
• Supporting and managing breastfeeding peer counselors to monitor caseloads and difficult cases as needed; and
• Providing other related support duties related to program administration.

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; and
• Ability to present to diverse audiences, specifically racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities

Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged and cared for in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the client experience including but not limited to: cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.

Qualifications

Minimums:

• High school diploma, GED Certificate, or equivalent;
• Considerable experience working with complex lactation challenges, providing training/adult education, and providing direct human services in a health care setting and experience providing WIC services to WIC eligible families; and
• Bilingual ability in both English and Spanish.

Licenses:

• Possession of State certification as WIC Competent Professional Authority (CPA) by the Virginia Department of Health WIC Program; and
• Certification that indicates completion of specialized training in lactation management and care, e.g. International Board of Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), or Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (CBS).

Substitution: College coursework may be substituted for up to one (1) year of experience.

Desirables: Preference may be given to candidates with one or more of the following:

• Working knowledge of specific health care facts as they relate to WIC;
• Interpersonal skills to provide routine information courteously;
• Problem solving skills to apply standard procedures to clearly defined problems;
• Ability to use computer programs and applications to complete work; and/or
• Considerable experience providing related human services in a health care setting.

Special Requirements

Drivers License: Applicant must possess, or obtain by the time of appointment, a valid driver's license or the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite.

Background Check: A pre-employment background check will be conducted on candidates selected for employment. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

The candidate selected will be required to complete a State of Virginia Central Registry check.

Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions.

Additional Information

Work Hours : Monday through Friday between the core hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• This is a year-round position.
• Primary work location is 2100 Washington Blvd. Some work may be done at various WIC Program satellite sites as needed.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours for other events, and meetings (locations may be throughout Arlington County).
• Public Health Division employees are considered essential personal.

Starting salary is commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected.

This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan.

For more information on Arlington County's generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.

Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.

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