Nutrition Educator - WIC

Olmsted County has earned the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work - Southeast Minnesota designation.

Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences, community nutrition, clinical nutrition or dietetics.
OR
Bachelor’s degree Health or Family and Consumer Sciences with applicable coursework in nutrition. Documentation required for minimum coursework evaluation as required by Minnesota WIC Program requirements (Download PDF reader).
OR
Registered Nurse licensed by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and two (2) years of experience in maternal child health or nutrition program. OR Nutrition Dietetic Technician, Registered (NDTR) registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Regular and reliable attendance is a necessary component of job/position. Individuals required to use County vehicles and equipment must have a valid driver’s license and be free of any major traffic violations for the last three (3) years.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RDN) registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing for Registered Nurse.
• Ability to communicate fluently in Spanish or Somali in addition to English.

Nature of Work

THIS IS A PART-TIME, 0.90 FTE (36 HOURS PER WEEK) POSITION

Under supervision, provides public health nutrition services to individuals and families enrolled in WIC.  Determines eligibility of WIC applicants, conducts health screening and dietary assessment. Uses a variety of strategies, including nutrition counseling and breastfeeding support to effect behavior change to improve the health and nutritional status in the WIC population. Supports a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workplace.

Examples of Work

• Schedules client visits, screens calls, signs clients up for the WIC program and supplies information to clients by phone, email and text.
• Assess nutrition and conducts health screening including height, weight, and hemoglobin.
• Establishes financial, categorical and/or residential eligibility of clients for WIC program.
• In a team environment, provides nutrition education and breastfeeding support services to WIC clients using participant centered counseling. Applies evidence-based information and research to advance nutrition practices in WIC.
• Documents nutritional services provided according to established guidelines and adheres to federal/state program regulations.
• Identifies risk factors that trigger a high-risk care plan. Provides information to Nutrition Specialists and assists with the development of care plans for high-risk cases.
• Supports the department during emergency situations.
• Performs administrative support duties for the WIC program as assigned.
• Completes additional tasks as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Knowledge of normal and therapeutic nutrition throughout the life cycle and of current and emerging nutrition issues with the ability to apply information in a clinic setting.
• Knowledge of education techniques and principles of human motivation for change and ability to apply to work with clients.
• Knowledge of the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals http://www.phf.org/resourcestools/pages/core_public_health_competencies.aspx.
• Skill in providing excellent customer service
• Skill in the use of computers and technology
• Ability to work with a diverse population and work effectively with interpreters.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to establish and maintain professional working relationships with clients and other staff.
• Ability to plan work and exercise sound independent judgment.
• Ability to support quality improvement culture by continuously growing improvement knowledge, participating in improvement projects, and celebrating improvement work.
• Ability to identify and suggest opportunities to improve individual, group, program, and/or organizational performance.
• Ability to utilize computer systems to maintain documentation of services provided to clients.
• Ability to perform health and nutrition screening tests according to standard procedures including take height/weight measurements and assess measurements according to growth grids, standard weight charts; perform hemoglobin blood test; complete and evaluate a health history to aid in identifying risk factors; complete a dietary assessment.

Persons with disabilities: the above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.