Nutrition Assistant

Summary

Position Summary

The Nutrition Assistant (also called WIC Certifier) will provide services to clients participating in the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program, assess eligibility, and provide nutrition education to individuals and families - both through individual appointments in person and by phone and in a group or classroom setting. The Nutrition Assistant works with a team and closely with Registered Dietitians, Public Health Nurses, Social Workers, Community Health Workers and healthcare workers from community partners.

Background

Note: This posting will create a list of qualified candidates that may be considered for selection of additional vacancies of the same position type over the next 6 months.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Work Schedule

Workdays and hours can vary based on operational need, currently predominately 8 AM to 5 PM Monday - Friday, occasional weekend or evening hours may be required to meet business needs. Non-Exempt and subject to the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (overtime eligible).

Work Location

Based out of the Auburn Public Health Center, located at 901 Auburn Way N, Auburn, WA 98002 but may be asked to work at other Public Health Centers or community partner sites.

Job Duties

• Gather and assess information for determining health and nutrition risk factors, program eligibility, client education, and referrals.
• Provide group nutrition education and individual nutrition education, which includes breastfeeding support.
• Obtain and document anthropometric measurements for infants, children and adults, which may include obtaining blood samples for hemoglobin testing.
• Respond to telephone inquiries – screen, schedule, and interview diverse clients to determine the appointment type and appropriate provider.
• Document client information and services and manage appointment schedules in electronic record (Cascades) to support the WIC program.
• Provide direct customer service to a diverse clientele, providing WIC services, issuing and educating on the use of WIC benefits, determining appointment types needed.
• Conduct WIC outreach and program tasks, such as generating end-of-day reports and client letters and making referrals to other Public Health services.
• Participate in WIC-related committees, including breastfeeding promotion activities, clinic health and information fairs, and the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.
• Order and maintain program supplies and educational materials.
• Participate in quality assurance activities.
• Complete annual WIC training, and continuing nutrition and breastfeeding education requirements.
• Use Microsoft Outlook and other electronic communication tools to coordinate work and meet training requirements.
• May be required to lift and lower a child weighing up to 35 pounds onto a surface more than 4 feet high with or without accommodation.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum):

• Demonstrated proficiency in a variety of computer programs, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Suite – Teams, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to lift and lower a child weighing up to 35 pounds onto a surface more than 4 feet high with or without accommodation.
• Ability to complete the Washington State WIC paraprofessional competencies within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to obtain Washington State Medical Assistant-Registered or Phlebotomist certification within 30 days of hire in order to perform hemoglobin/hematocrit testing on WIC participants.
• Ability to obtain a Washington State food worker card.
• Must possess a current BLS for Healthcare Providers with AED certification before hire.
• Ability to apply nutrition and health promotion knowledge/practices in working with clients from diverse backgrounds to make positive changes in health behaviors.
• Working knowledge of basic nutrition theory and practice, medical terminology, asepsis practices, and universal precautions.
• Demonstrated ability to provide direct client services in a health care setting.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills related to basic cooking and food demonstration techniques.
• Ability to understand various perspectives and listen to others without conveying judgment.
• Excellent problem solving, priority setting, and organizational abilities.
• Commitment to equity and racial justice principles and demonstrated ability to serve clients with cultural humility.

• Bilingual in Spanish or other language spoken by most WIC participants
• Demonstrated working experience in the WIC program

Supplemental Information

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Who May Apply

This Career Service position is open to all qualified applicants.

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NEOGOV Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• A BLS Certification is not required for a complete application but is required prior to hire. If you have one, attaching a clear picture to your application will speed up the pre-hire process

Please note: Cover letters, Resumes, and additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
• If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact your recruiter listed on this job announcement.

Union Membership

Contact

For questions about the application process, contact the Recruiter.