Nutrition Assistant I

County of Madera•Madera, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, screens, reviews, notifies, and communicates with applicants regarding Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program eligibility; schedules appointments and completes certification and recertification appointments for participation; assists in providing assessment, counseling, and nutrition needs and support activities as directed; documents nutrition service and education duties and activities; provides a range of customer service and office support functions; and performs related duties as assigned. Receives general supervision from assigned management or supervisory personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

Requirements

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.
Some responsible work experience in customer service or health education experience.
Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate California driver’s license.
Must possess, or have the ability to obtain, and maintain a valid WIC Nutrition Assistant certification within one (1) year of appointment.
Basic nutritional terminology.
Principles and application of nutrition and nutritional needs for various stages of life.
Basic nutrition assessment and education programs.
Public health program requirements.
Education techniques and skills utilized in individual and group settings.
Cultural food habits of populations in the County.
Available community agencies and resources.
Basic recordkeeping principles and practices.
Preparing and maintaining a variety of documentation.
Safety procedures and use of personal protective equipment.
Social determinants of health.
Impacts of socioeconomic and cultural differences in public health.
Principles of health equity as it applies to public health practice.
Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances relevant to the area(s) of responsibility.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Obtain and verify public health program eligibility.
Communicate principles of nutrition and nutritional needs for women, infants, and children.
Perform breastfeeding support and education services.
Communicate nutrition information effectively to groups and individuals in a variety of formats.
Follow and efficiently adapt to current and changing program policies, procedures, software, and forms.
Exhibit sensitivity to the needs of ethnic, minoritized, and low-income participants.
Maintain and prepare documentation and files including participant eligibility, assessments, and status.
Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, and procedural guidelines.
Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual translation skills

Responsibilities

Screens applicants, schedules appointments, and determines eligibility for program participation; notifies and communicates with participants regarding appointments and other required and requested information; completes certification and recertification appointments.
Conducts nutritional assessments for participants, including weighing and measuring women, infants, and children and using data to review growth status and patterns.
Advises and provides participants with information on nutritional needs and conducts nutritional education in group and individual settings following established rules, procedures, and guidelines as directed.
Assists and conducts nutritional counseling sessions and breastfeeding classes and support.
Interviews clients to determine nutritional risk and refers for further assessment to the Nutritionist, Breastfeeding Coordinator, other Public Health staff, and/or any other community programs and resources.
Issues program credits to eligible participants following established rules, regulations, and procedures; explains procedures for credits usage in stores to participants; refers reported grocer offenses and/or problems to management or supervisory staff.
Performs general office functions such as answering the telephone, greeting participants and visitors, and responding to inquiries.
Maintains a variety of files, records, documentation, appointment schedules, and program and site supplies; prepares written documentation and correspondence; completes data entry.
Documents nutrition education activities; contacts interpreter services for hearing-impaired clients; may be required to utilize bilingual translation skills.
Assists in the transport of equipment and files; travels to outlying sites and participates in program outreach activities as assigned.
Observes and complies with County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Performs related duties as assigned.