Public Health Nutritionist

Nutrition Services Temporary Position

Performs under the direct supervision of the Nutrition Coordinator, provides basic nutrition education to participants and their families, and certifies participants for specific public health program benefits. Performs a range of administrative functions required to ensure efficient program operation. This position is temporary and not eligible for any benefits.

Our core values—Resilience, Excellence, Accountability, Customer Service, and Honesty—are the foundation of our work and the standard by which we operate. As a member of our team, you are expected to demonstrate these values in every aspect of your role. This means delivering high-quality work, taking responsibility for your actions, providing exceptional service, and maintaining integrity in all interactions. Your commitment to these principles is essential to fostering a positive workplace culture and ensuring the success of our organization and the community we serve.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

This position will serve in the Nutrition Services Division of the Onslow County Health Department. Regular working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am until 5:00pm in person.

Position Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments, evaluate nutritional status, determine eligibility, prescribe food packages, and develop individualized care plans for WIC participants.
• Educate participants and families in individual and/or group settings on nutrition topics, including but not limited to growth and development, good eating habits, physical activity, breastfeeding support, and positive behavior changes.
• Create nutrition education and training plans, which include lesson plans, group classes, online modules, and associated materials for participants and staff.
• Communicate participants' nutrition status and additional information to healthcare providers as appropriate.
• Develop effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
• Attend community outreach events and provide in-service training to increase program awareness
• Perform various administrative duties related to public health nutrition programs.
• May oversee daily operations or a small or limited nutrition program.
• Maintains professional growth and development through the completion of required departmental competencies.
• Perform assigned functions as a Disaster Ready Team (DRT) member, as assigned
• Other related programmatic assignments as determined by management.

Core Competencies

Communication Skills

• Fosters communication. Building trust, engaging in active listening, conducting in-person and virtual meetings, considering language and accessibility needs, being clear and transparent
• Communicates information to influence behavior and improve health.
• Assess the literacy, communication needs, and preferences of internal and external audiences
• Seeks input from internal and external audiences, including populations served, coworkers, chambers of commerce, faith-based organizations, schools, social services organizations, health care providers, and community-based organizations

Data Analytics and Assessment Skills

• Analyzes health and nutrition histories based on lifecycle stage. Evaluates the impact of the parent/child feeding dynamic on nutritional status, growth, and development
• Uses critical thinking and knowledge of high-risk indicators to assess participants
• Uses appropriate participant-centered counseling techniques for high-risk participants to assist in setting specific behavioral goals, and actions to improve identified medical and nutritional risks
• Applies current evidence-based information to the education and counseling of children served by WIC feeding dynamics on nutritional status, growth, and development

Public Health Sciences Skills

• Applying, planning, managing, and evaluating techniques to public health nutrition programs and/or individual client needs and developing and documenting appropriate high risk care plans with high-risk participants
• Assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating activities, projects, and programs in order to meet defined public health measures.
• Identifies and recommends specific foods and formulas required as a result of medical diagnoses and chronic disease.
• Collaborates with the health care provider to coordinate the nutrition care of the high-risk participant
• Applying, planning, managing, and evaluating techniques to public health nutrition programs and/or individual client needs

Health Equity Skills

• Recognizes the diversity of individuals and populations and applies principles of ethics, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in designing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services.

Community Partnership Skills

• Initiate and sustain trusting relationships with individuals, families, and social networks, such as meeting individuals in inaccessible places, making multiple efforts to engage individuals and/or partnering with community-based agencies to increase awareness of services
• Building and leading teams and processes, collaborating with internal and external units to accomplish teamwork
• Facilitating and demonstrating teamwork and cooperation
• Applying conflict resolution skills by using an effective leadership style to inspire and motivate staff and strategic partners
• Reporting on team progress/partnerships to upper management as needed

Management and Finance Skills

• Ensure accountability for contract and program deliverables
• Managing workload effectively, following directions, and meeting program deadlines
• Operating clinics and programs with a high level of autonomy and independence
• Providing critical and relevant information to program management in a timely manner
• Demonstrate the ability to be adaptable and flexible while focusing on program quality of care and service.

Qualifications

Specialized knowledge and skill in comprehensive nutrition assessment and care planning, including problem diagnosis, counseling, and evaluation of clients from diverse backgrounds, ages, and with multiple and complex health and therapeutic nutritional needs. Knowledge of human behavior and techniques for effecting behavior change with considerable skill in counseling. Broad knowledge in health care ethics, documentation in the medical record, and quality assurance. Knowledge in the organization of community health and nutrition resources. Sophisticated knowledge of current scientific information regarding nutrition, diet, and health and the ability to relate this information to clients, professionals, and the public. Skill in conducting a nutrition education or community needs assessment. Fundamental knowledge of current principles and practices of public health and program coordination. Ability to interpret policy and protocols into operational procedures and work priorities. Skill in organizing and coordinating the work of others. Full range of skills in presenting ideas orally and in writing clearly and concisely.

Education, Experience, and Special Requirements

Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetics Registration; or Master's degree in Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition, or Nutrition; or graduation from a Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education- approved Didactic Program in Dietetics and two years nutrition experience; or Dietetic Technician, Registered with the Commission on Dietetics Registration with a Bachelor's degree in any subject area from an accredited four-year college or university and two years nutrition experience; or a Bachelor's of Science degree in Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition or Community Nutrition from an accredited four-year college or university and two years nutrition experience.

• Valid Driver's license.
• Must be able to access Camp Lejeune
• Bilingual English-Spanish is preferred.

Salary will be determined based on qualifications, internal equity, budget and market considerations. In order to be considered, final transcripts showing date degree was awarded and/or any required certificates or licenses must be uploaded with your application even if you are a current employee or we have received it with a previous application. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

Regular Onslow County employees have the ability to participate in a wide array of employee benefits including: Health Insurance Health Insurance is provided by Cigna and covers a wide variety of healthcare services. Dental Insurance Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental to full-time employees and covers a percentage of basic to major dental procedures, including orthodontia for children and adults. Vision Insurance Vision insurance is provided by MetLife to full-time employees and covers a variety of materials (contacts and glasses frames/lenses) and an annual eye exam. North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the retirement system and must contribute 6% of their gross salary each pay period. Once eligibility requirements are met, employees will be able to receive monthly payments for life based on their salary, age, and years of service credit. NC401k The County contributes 1% of employees' gross salary into the 4