Dietetic Specialist (Bilingual - Spanish) (Project)

Dietetic Specialist (Bilingual – Spanish) (Project)

Public Health of Madison and Dane County's (PHMDC), Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) unit, in Madison, Wisconsin, is recruiting for a full-time (1.0 FTE) Dietetic Specialist (Bilingual – Spanish) (Project) position. Candidates will be tested in Spanish and English during the recruitment process. Employees who work in bilingual designated positions receive an additional $2.00 per hour (not reflected in the above hourly rate). The Eligibility List created may be used to fill future vacancies over the next six (6) months. Note to applicants – for the 2026 budget year, there is a 1% reduction in wages (which is already reflected in the hourly wage above), an additional 21 holiday hours, and continued earning of longevity and merit steps.

Commitment to Equity & Inclusion

As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

Definition and Examples of Duties

Works individually and in collaboration with other PHMDC staff to provide administrative, clinical, nutrition, and breastfeeding support to the PHMDC Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program. Work includes nutrition screening, counseling and education of low-nutritional risk participants of the WIC Program in compliance with program requirements. Completes nutrition assessments using accurate and appropriate anthropometric, hematological, medical/predisposing factors and dietary assessment data. Provides accurate and appropriate nutrition and breastfeeding information through use of effective client/family-centered motivational interviewing and counseling techniques. Identifies and incorporates cultural, social, behavioral and other factors of significance in developing nutrition care plans appropriate to individual client needs. Makes appropriate referrals to health, social services and other community agencies. Completes required documentation in WIC database. Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, quality improvement, safety, environmental and infection control standards. Performs a variety of office duties.

Education, Experience and Special Requirements

An Associate's Degree in a Dietetic Technician program OR a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition or Dietetics. Preference will be given to individuals with at least one (1) year of experience in a public health or community nutrition program setting.

If an applicant has an Associate's Degree as a Dietetic Technician, they must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) within the first six (6) months of employment AND must maintain the Registered Dietetic Technician credential throughout the time of employment.

Must have a valid driver's license, or access to reliable personal transportation, or equivalent. Must obtain required immunizations within six (6) months of hire and remain current with required immunizations. Availability to work regular evening hours to staff clinics that meet the needs of program participants. Flexibility to work during public health emergencies requiring availability 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. Also refer to the "Physical and Environmental Work Requirements" section below.

Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job's responsibilities. Wisconsin's Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 – 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position's responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant's criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.). Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

For Bilingual Positions:

1. Provide services in both English and the required foreign language (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, Hmong, etc.).
2. Applicants being considered for bilingual positions will be tested during the recruitment process prior to employment. This will primarily consist of passing an oral language proficiency assessment from English to foreign language and foreign language to English, but may require additional language testing, such as written translation, if it is an essential function of the job.

*If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications/examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position's bilingual designation.

Physical and Environmental Work Requirements: Work occurs at the PHMDC clinic on South Park Street, clinic on E. Washington, and at a variety of public health offices and community-based settings. Ability to travel between locations is required. During the course of the day, work could involve starting at one location and then traveling to other locations. Conferences or seminars may require travel outside of Dane County. Work involves walking, sitting, standing, bending, twisting, turning, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, grasping, reaching and driving. Ability to lift, move and transport a variety of work related materials up to 25 pounds. Ability to sit for prolonged periods. Phone and computer use. Manual dexterity using fine and gross motor skills. Good vision and hearing with corrective devices, as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the principles, practices and theory of public health nutrition, especially in the areas of maternal, infant and child nutrition. Knowledge of human nutrition and its application in chronic disease prevention. Knowledge of community nutrition programs and related health and social agency functions. Knowledge and skill related to interviewing and counseling clients on nutrition and breastfeeding. Ability to learn and use relevant computer programs. Skill in interacting sensitively and effectively with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages and lifestyle preferences. Skill in understanding and applying oral, written or demonstrated instructions. Ability to work well with people and to maintain constructive relationships in dealing with the public and colleagues. Ability to maintain client confidentiality. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to perform anthropometric and hematological measurements. Ability to maintain adequate attendance. Physical strength and dexterity necessary to set up nutrition clinics, as well as transport equipment and supplies.