Supervising Public Health Nutritionist

Supervising Public Health Nutritionist

The Health Department's Public Health Bureau is seeking to fill vacant Supervising Public Health Nutritionist for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. The WIC Program provides breastfeeding support, nutrition and health education to families to improve eating and physical activity behaviors and provides electronic benefits for specific foods important for good health. The Supervising Public Health Nutritionist is responsible for supervising paraprofessional and professional staff at multiple worksites. This position provides training and guidance to staff, reviews and approves educational and program materials, presentations, supports budget development, grant requests and implementation of State and Federal regulations. The Supervising Public Health Nutritionist will work closely with the Health Program Coordinator/Local Agency WIC Director and Public Health Program Manager to support community coalition efforts, grant reporting, and project evaluation requirements. The Health Department may offer up to $10,000 signing bonus to candidates hired into regular full-time positions for this classification from this recruitment. The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis County-wide.

Examples of Duties

• Supervises professional and paraprofessional staff in the delivery of technical, educational and advisory nutritional services; assigns, reviews and coordinates the work of staff, including monitoring for timely completion and conformance to specific directions and overall work standards.
• Plans and coordinates the operation of outlying WIC clinics; establishes clinic schedules and staff assignments, recommends policy and procedure relative facilities.
• Keeps current on nutritional research; interprets to professional and paraprofessional staff, its applications to the WIC program; attends meetings and/or conferences.
• Keeps a variety of records; prepares verbal, written and statistical reports and correspondence.
• Assists the Public Health Programs Manager in the administration of the Woman, Infant, Children (WIC) Supplemental Food Program by developing, implementing local guidelines, to meet client needs and program goals.
• Trains staff on education, counseling and evaluation techniques related to nutrition and health education; and on policy and procedures relative to technical program operations.
• Develops and conducts educational programs in nutrition, health and consumerism for professional and paraprofessional staff; coordinates the development of classroom curriculum and classroom schedules; coordinates utilization of the interagency specialty education consultants.
• Provides consultation to physicians, public health nurses and health agency personnel regarding nutritional requirements and problems of the public and individual clients; serves as subject matter resources to other WIC staff in relation to policies, procedures and by providing professional or specialized knowledge and recommending solutions to complex problems.
• Represents WIC in the development, evaluation and implementation of interagency programs, policies and procedures related to agencies for which they serve as liaison.
• Assists with the collection and analysis of statistical and survey data dealing with the program assessment and patient flow.
• Designs meal plans to meet individual dietary requirements of high-risk clients. Provides individual therapeutic diet counseling and conducts group sessions for high-risk clients and/their families.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of human nutrition principles and their relationship to health and disease.
• Working knowledge of community health organization and resources.
• Skill and ability to plan, direct and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply government regulations as they apply to nutrition programs.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate nutrition programs.
• Ability to communicate verbally to present nutritional information in training sessions and provide information before large groups.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret nutritional and patient flow information.
• Ability to write to prepare clear and concise reports and correspondence.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted through the course of the work.
• Ability to work with a minimum of supervision.

Characteristics of the Successful Candidate

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong team leader
• Collaboration and utilization of a team approach
• Sensitivity, both culturally and linguistically
• Effective verbal and written communication skills

Examples of Experience/Education/Training

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Experience: Two years of experience comparable to the class of Public Health Nutritionist II with Monterey County to include the provision of varied nutritional services to the public of which at least one year should have included lead responsibilities.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English and Spanish is desirable for this position. Bilingual (English/Spanish) candidates must complete and receive a passing score on the bilingual oral and written exam upon hire in order to receive the bilingual pay stipend.
• Experience in lactation counseling is desirable, particularly with an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), or Certified Lactation Educator (CLE) designation.

Conditions of Employment:

• Possession of current registration as a Dietitian, credentialed by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record or ability to provide suitable transportation approved by the appointing authority.
• Successfully complete a background check to include fingerprinting.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.