WIC Educator

El Paso County•El Paso, CO

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position works with clients participating in Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program to provide supplemental food benefits, breastfeeding support, and community referrals. Collects and evaluates client demographics, including anthropometric data for the laboratory and nutritional data, analyzes and assesses participants' anthropometric and nutritional status and risks according to WIC protocol. Has one-on-one discussions about nutrition and breastfeeding with clients; provides community referrals to a variety of partner services and organizations. Employment is subject to the terms, conditions, and policies detailed in the Personnel Policies Manual (PPM). This position requires regular in-person presence as an essential job function. This position may be dependent on variable funding sources, including categorical grants.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent education.
Two years of experience in community health, public health, social services, education, customer service in a human services or client-support setting, or related experience.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Ability to acquire WIC State level 1, 2, and 3 certifications within program timelines.
Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.
Public Health employees are responsible for providing proof of vaccinations and/or tuberculosis testing as applicable to the specific position and must provide proof of completion of required vaccinations/testing or proof of initiation within sixty days of hire date.

Nice To Haves

Spanish bilingual skills are preferred for this position.
A background in nutrition or childhood education is a strong plus.
Associate’s degree in a related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.
Bachelor’s degree in a related field may substitute for two years of the required experience.
Three or more years of related experience.

Responsibilities

Maintains a caseload of clients participating in the WIC program.
Counsels WIC clients regarding program options; utilizes a variety of skills and strategies, including active listening, goal setting, and care plan development; and provides clients with nutrition and breastfeeding education.
Determines client eligibility; tailors food packages; issues benefits to be redeemed at grocery stores (vendors).
Assesses anthropometric data; examines graphs and interprets results; analyzes and assesses responses to the Nutrition Interview; determines nutritional status; screens applicants and clients for various risk behaviors and situations including drugs, alcohol, diseases, child abuse, dental and health status, immunizations, and prenatal care.
Responds to telephone and in-person inquiries, provides information based on considerable knowledge of County programs and activities, and/or refers callers to appropriate personnel, as necessary; routes messages for program personnel, as necessary; responds to inquiries and requests from clients and other division/department employees.
Utilizes WIC-specific computerized data entry equipment for benefit issuance and various word processing/file maintenance programs to enter, store and/or retrieve information as requested or otherwise necessary; summarizes data in preparation of standardized reports.
Schedules appointments utilizing computerized scheduling program; maintains individual educator appointment profiles; tracks patients to ensure adherence to scheduled appointments and to monitor high risk patients.
Adheres to program caseload expectations.
Refers clients to various support agencies, such as social services, food banks and mental health organizations.
Makes appropriate referrals to Leadership per High-Risk Triage tool protocol.
Determines client voter registration status; assists those who need to register.
May participates in WIC outreach activities and client special events including WIC appointments at partner locations.
May perform all aspects of offsite WIC appointments independently when needed.
Provides professional and sensitive customer service to clients and public of diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
Assists with training and mentoring personnel as directed.
May assist with the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) program and related activities.
May facilitate breastfeeding support groups.
Participates in departmental emergency planning and response activities.
Promotes public health within the community.
Takes personal responsibility to provide exceptional customer service in order to promote and maintain a positive Public Health image, constructive working environment, and foster pride and professionalism in the workplace and community.
Performs other duties as required.