Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

the South Dakota State Government • Statewide, SD

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The South Dakota Department of Health, Division of Family and Community Health, is hiring a Registered Dietitian/Licensed Nutritionist (RD/LN) for the Office of Family Nutrition Services. The position supports the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Food Program in the western region of South Dakota and works under the supervision of the Dietitian Manager. The RD/LN delivers nutrition services to families and communities, including participant case management, approval of special formula requests, consultation with healthcare providers, and quality assurance reviews of high-risk nutrition cases.

The position includes travel to satellite sites for service delivery, meetings, trainings, and on-site visits to maintain caseloads; overnight stays may be required. Work hours extending beyond 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays may be required. The work arrangement combines in-person and remote work and may include providing virtual services from a state office location. Lifting may be required to perform anthropometric measurements of infants and children. Most positions at the Department may work remotely up to three days a week, subject to position-specific review.

Applicants must be licensed as a Nutritionist in South Dakota or eligible for licensure within one year of employment. A master's degree in a relevant nutrition or public health field is required. A dietetic internship or similar Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics approval is required, as is Registered Dietitian status through the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), either at hire or within 365 days of hire. Applicants must attach a resume and apply online; emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.

Requirements

• Must be licensed as a Nutritionist in South Dakota or eligible for licensure within one year of employment.
• Master's degree required in human nutrition, public health nutrition, clinical nutrition, nutrition education, community education, or foods and nutrition.
• Dietetic internship or similar Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics approval required.
• Must be a Registered Dietitian with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) or obtain registration within 365 days of hire.
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing skills, food and nutrition science principles and practices, breastfeeding education, and infant and child developmental milestones.
• Ability to provide nutrition and health information effectively one-to-one, in groups, virtually, by phone, text, and online; use Zoom, Teams, or telemedicine as applicable.
• Ability to communicate education at the client's level of understanding and apply federal and state regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Effective communication skills, including communicating with interpreters in person, by phone, or during virtual service delivery.
• Cultural competency when working with socioeconomically and culturally diverse populations.
• Ability to motivate participants to make decisions and set goals to improve nutritional status.
• Ability to work autonomously and in a team environment; recognize opportunities for outreach, marketing, and partnership building; and multitask, prioritize complex situations, and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Must attach a resume and apply online; emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
• Must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete Form I-9; the employer uses E-Verify.

Nice To Haves

• Dietetic internship or similar Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics approval is required; a master's degree in the listed fields is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Determine participant eligibility, including identity, income, residency, categorical eligibility, and nutritional risk.
• Provide participant case management and nutrition support and education.
• Conduct nutrition education and health assessments.
• Provide breastfeeding education and support.
• Approve special formula requests.
• Consult with healthcare providers and conduct quality assurance reviews for high-risk nutrition cases.
• Link clients to appropriate health and social resources and prioritize and facilitate referrals based on participant needs.
• Provide nutrition-related technical assistance to team members.
• Deliver nutrition education in community settings and through applicable service channels.
• Collaborate on nutrition, outreach, and breastfeeding goals for the population served.
• Provide maternal and child health services, including developmental screenings, infant safe sleep education, and promotion of immunizations, oral health, and other public health initiatives.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners and providers to enhance referrals and explore partnership opportunities.
• Travel to satellite sites and conduct on-site visits to maintain caseloads; attend meetings and trainings as needed.

Benefits

• $0 premium employee health insurance option.
• Eleven paid holidays.
• Vacation and sick leave accrual.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Other insurance options.
• Retirement benefits; this position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
• Veterans' Preference eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level