Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - Suffolk County, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension • New York, NY

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Bilingual WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a part of the Peer Counselor Team and operates under the NYS DOH WIC Loving Support model. This role involves performing optimally to meet program needs, with routine quality assessments conducted for continuous improvement. Coordination takes place at WIC centers, and the position requires collecting and managing participant data while ensuring confidentiality. This is a grant-funded position for a limited time through the WIC office and Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

Requirements

• Associate's degree and one-year volunteer or work-related experience or high school diploma or equivalency with 2 years of volunteer or work experience.
• Ability to communicate read and write in English and Spanish.
• Proficiency with windows-based software, including use of the internet and navigation with various browsers, and basic knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Publisher.
• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the position.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight travel.
• Ability to carry supplies and equipment.
• Experience with breastfeeding - at least one baby (does not have to be currently breastfeeding).
• Have good organizational skills, enabling her to manage her assigned caseload, keep track of her scheduled hours, meetings, and training, and meet necessary deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in adult and youth education or other relevant work experience
• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding and want to help other mothers enjoy a positive experience.
• Familiarity with the community in which the work will take place.
• Experience working with the target audience.
• Ability to present effective and relevant educational lessons to target audiences (one-on-one and group) and work with diverse audiences of all ages.
• Ability and willingness to collaborate with diverse audiences and maintain cultural sensitivity.
• Sound judgment and problem-solving skills, and the ability to keep information confidential.
• Ability to plan and organize personal work responsibilities according to priorities developed with the immediate supervisor.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling and support throughout the pregnancy and while breastfeeding, utilizing counseling skills acquired during training.
• Be a resource for participants and make connections with other community services.
• Prepare a participant for what to expect in the first few hours and days of breastfeeding.
• Be available to participants after delivery and when they return home.
• Maintain an acceptable working relationship with NYS DOH WIC.
• Coordinate and report with CCE Suffolk Supervisor for any employment issues, concerns, policies, and/or procedures which include payroll, time-off requests, time tracking, Workday, etc.
• Collect and Manage participant data ensuring confidentiality at all times.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree