State Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator (Nutritionist)-61007206

State of South Carolina • Lexington County, SC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Serves as the State Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator, managing the breastfeeding peer counselor program on a state agency level under the supervision of the Nutrition Service Unit Manager. Plans and oversees breastfeeding peer counseling program activities. Responsible for training of Women, Infants and Children (WIC) breastfeeding coordinators and peer counselors and overall program planning and management of the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program. Routinely reports on the program to the State Breastfeeding Coordinator. Assesses and analyzes existing quantitative and qualitative data. Assists in establishing local agency and statewide program goals and objectives. Reviews state and federal regulations/legislative requirements and assists in establishing local agency and statewide peer counseling program protocols and policies. Determines breastfeeding peer counselor staffing needs. Assures the recruitment and of peer counselors are in alignment with the program policies and standards. Arranges Continuing Education Unit (CEU) for breastfeeding peer counselors and peer counselor supervisors. Evaluates the program, including conducting spot checks and implementing and monitoring quality assurance projects. Provides consultation and technical assistance to local regions, and community agencies. Conducts quarterly meetings with breastfeeding peer counselors, supervisors and/or lactation support staff. Works with local breastfeeding coordinators to assess for ongoing improvements to the program and collaborative training needs and opportunities. Mentors new breastfeeding peer counselors and peer counselor supervisors providing routine follow-up, evaluation, and guidance. Reviews and monitors compliance. Assists in developing a State agency peers counseling budget and allocating funding for local agency peer counseling program activities. Serves as the subject matter expert for the SCWIC breastfeeding peer counselor modules and TeleWIC platform. Serves as backup subject matter expert for the overall breastfeeding module and TeleWIC platform for clinical staff. Assists and tests with enhancement of SCWIC module and TeleWIC platform. Assists the Management Evaluation Team with peer counselor audits and evaluates results. Updates the SC State Plan Manual as needed. Collaborates with other bureaus within the agency and outside agencies as it relates to breastfeeding promotion and support. Assists with Outreach for Breastfeeding Month. Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned, including required travel if requested, and responds as directed during emergencies which may occur outside normal work hours, and travel if requested.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, public health, family and consumer sciences, health education or related degree with emphasis on nutrition.
• Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
• Proficient in the SCWIC Breastfeeding Module platform, including system navigation.
• Have a recognized breastfeeding credential such as Certified Lactation Counselor ( CLC), Certified Lactation Specialist ( CLS) and/or Internal Board-Certified Lactation Consultant ( IBCLC).
• Has experience as a Nutritionist in the WIC program.

Responsibilities

• Manages the breastfeeding peer counselor program on a state agency level.
• Plans and oversees breastfeeding peer counseling program activities.
• Responsible for training of WIC breastfeeding coordinators and peer counselors.
• Oversees program planning and management of the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program.
• Reports on the program to the State Breastfeeding Coordinator.
• Assesses and analyzes existing quantitative and qualitative data.
• Assists in establishing local agency and statewide program goals and objectives.
• Reviews state and federal regulations/legislative requirements and assists in establishing local agency and statewide peer counseling program protocols and policies.
• Determines breastfeeding peer counselor staffing needs.
• Assures the recruitment of peer counselors are in alignment with program policies and standards.
• Arranges Continuing Education Unit (CEU) for breastfeeding peer counselors and peer counselor supervisors.
• Evaluates the program, including conducting spot checks and implementing and monitoring quality assurance projects.
• Provides consultation and technical assistance to local regions, and community agencies.
• Conducts quarterly meetings with breastfeeding peer counselors, supervisors and/or lactation support staff.
• Works with local breastfeeding coordinators to assess for ongoing improvements to the program and collaborative training needs and opportunities.
• Mentors new breastfeeding peer counselors and peer counselor supervisors providing routine follow-up, evaluation, and guidance.
• Reviews and monitors compliance.
• Assists in developing a State agency peers counseling budget and allocating funding for local agency peer counseling program activities.
• Serves as the subject matter expert for the SCWIC breastfeeding peer counselor modules and TeleWIC platform.
• Serves as backup subject matter expert for the overall breastfeeding module and TeleWIC platform for clinical staff.
• Assists and tests with enhancement of SCWIC module and TeleWIC platform.
• Assists the Management Evaluation Team with peer counselor audits and evaluates results.
• Updates the SC State Plan Manual as needed.
• Collaborates with other bureaus within the agency and outside agencies as it relates to breastfeeding promotion and support.
• Assists with Outreach for Breastfeeding Month.
• Performs other related duties and special projects as assigned.
• Responds as directed during emergencies which may occur outside normal work hours.
• Travel if requested.

Benefits

• 15 days Annual (Vacation) Leave per year
• 15 days Sick Leave per year
• 13 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children.
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices: State Retirement Plan (SCRS) or State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP)

What This Job Offers

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