Public Health Nutritionist

County of Santa Clara•San Jose, CA

11h

About The Position

Under general direction, independently assesses, plans, implements, and evaluates public health and health-promotion programs and services to meet the needs of Santa Clara County’s diverse population. The role develops and delivers nutrition services and education, conducts and reports research, provides consultation and leadership to agencies and community organizations, and supports access to health and related services. It also contributes to program evaluation, quality assurance, funding, budgeting, reporting, media activities, and training of students and dietetic interns.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Dietetics, or a related field.
Two years of experience as a Nutritionist in a public or private health agency, or as a Registered Dietitian at a hospital or clinic. One year of graduate study in Human Nutrition may substitute for one year of the required experience; a master’s degree in Public Health, Nutrition, or a related field may substitute for the two years of required experience.
Certification as a Registered Dietitian (RD) with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Valid California driver’s license at the time of appointment.
Knowledge of community needs assessment and epidemiology; core public health functions and essential services; program planning and evaluation; human nutrition and its relationship to health and disease prevention; social, cultural, and economic issues affecting Santa Clara County’s diverse population; educational methods and counseling techniques; applicable Federal, State, and County regulations and mandates; compliance requirements for diverse funding sources; and computer programs or software applications.
Ability to assess needs and design, implement, and evaluate nutrition programs and projects; perform Medical Nutrition Therapy; integrate nutrition into public health programs and services; plan, coordinate, and conduct community meetings and training; coordinate and deliver in-service training and presentations; collaborate with Public Health Department team members; identify and pursue funding and contribute to grant proposals and budgets; identify, review, develop, and evaluate nutrition education resources; communicate effectively orally and in writing; and provide work direction to staff as required.

Responsibilities

Assess community needs and plan, promote, implement, and evaluate nutrition programs and projects for health and disease prevention.
Provide nutrition expertise and advocacy to Federal, State, and local officials for policy development and program planning.
Develop and implement protocols for nutrition services serving low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women, infants, children, adolescents, children with special needs, people with HIV/AIDS, and clients with other chronic conditions.
Plan, coordinate, and deliver training, workshops, conferences, and educational opportunities for staff, health care providers, and the community.
Provide consultation and technical expertise and serve as a liaison to community organizations and programs in nutrition and health promotion.
Design, conduct, and evaluate research on nutrition and health status, dietary practices, nutritional needs, and food access among County residents.
Review and interpret statistical, epidemiological, and demographic data for public health nutrition applications.
Publish research findings and present them at professional meetings, including presentations and poster sessions.
Evaluate, procure, and develop nutrition and health education resources for the County’s diverse cultural and language needs.
Design and participate in public health program and project evaluation and quality assurance.
Design and participate in social marketing and community-wide promotional activities.
Provide leadership and direction to local and State agencies, coalitions, task forces, and advisory boards on public health issues.
Pursue funding for public health nutrition services and assist with program budgeting.
Prepare reports and maintain data sets to meet program and contract requirements.
Design, implement, and oversee media campaigns and respond to nutrition-related media inquiries as a representative of Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System.
Provide case management, therapeutic, and rehabilitation services to public health clients and program participants in accordance with protocols.
Help clients and families improve access to and connections with health care, social, and environmental services.
Provide nutrition consultation and expertise during interdisciplinary Public Health team inspections of County correctional facilities.
Design and coordinate fieldwork for university students and dietetic interns in public health nutrition.
Perform related work as required.