Nutritionist - Public Health

Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health•Dartmouth, NS

19h•CA$40 - CA$51•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Manager, Healthy Communities, the Nutritionist works in collaboration with the Healthy Communities Team to address local population health needs and to take action to improve population health and reduce health inequities. The Nutritionist is the lead on healthy eating and food security initiatives, and also participates in other health promotion work as needed. They work with community partners across multiple levels to take action and advance policy and system change to create supportive social, economic, and physical environments that protect and promote health. They work directly with key partners (school communities, child care facilities, municipalities) to provide tangible nutrition support to implement provincial nutrition policies and standards. The Nutritionist, using evidence informed strategies, seeks and advocates for policy and system change, with emphasis on creating supportive food environments, through community engagement, coalition building, and partnership development. They continually assess understanding of the community’s health through ongoing and informal means (gather local intelligence, seek out experiences and stories). The Nutritionist uses persuasive communication techniques and strong facilitation skills to bring others along in the work to create system/culture change. Evidence is translated on an ongoing basis throughout the planning cycle (assessment, development, implementation and evaluation) to build understanding and to motivate and inspire action among colleagues and with community partners.

Requirements

Bachelor degree in Human Nutrition plus 5 years community-based/Public Health experience OR Masters’ degree (plus undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition) in Community Nutrition/Public Health/Health Promotion plus 2 years community-based/Public Health experience
Must be licensed with (and a member in good standing) the Nova Scotia College of Dietitians and Nutritionists and hold PDt (Professional Dietitian) or RD (Registered Dietitian) designation
Experience in planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of nutrition and food security related programs, policies, services, and initiatives
Demonstrated knowledge translation and communication skills, including written and verbal
Demonstrated success in building strategic partnerships, networks, coalitions, and collaborative working relationships with a variety of internal and external partners to support healthy communities work
Understanding of a population based approach
Understanding of health equity and the impacts on health
Demonstrated planning, organizational, and time management skills.
Ability to deal with competing priorities
Demonstrated advocacy skills.
Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting with a strong focus on citizen/community
Demonstrated accountability and responsibility
Demonstrated judgment, decision making, and problem-solving skills
Demonstrated leadership abilities.
Proficiency in a variety of computer software programs & technologies
Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle is needed

Nice To Haves

Competencies in other languages an asset

Responsibilities

Lead on healthy eating and food security initiatives.
Participate in other health promotion work as needed.
Work with community partners across multiple levels to take action and advance policy and system change.
Create supportive social, economic, and physical environments that protect and promote health.
Provide tangible nutrition support to implement provincial nutrition policies and standards.
Seek and advocate for policy and system change, with emphasis on creating supportive food environments, through community engagement, coalition building, and partnership development.
Continually assess understanding of the community’s health through ongoing and informal means.
Use persuasive communication techniques and strong facilitation skills to bring others along in the work to create system/culture change.
Translate evidence on an ongoing basis throughout the planning cycle (assessment, development, implementation and evaluation) to build understanding and to motivate and inspire action among colleagues and with community partners.