WIC Educator

Ready to make a difference in the lives of families in our community? We're looking for a compassionate WIC Educator to join our Public Health Agency. You'll work directly with clients, providing nutrition and breastfeeding support, issuing benefits, and making community referrals. If you're detail-oriented, empathetic, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we want to hear from you! Join us in promoting healthy families and building a positive community. APPLY TODAY!!!

Works with clients participating in WIC 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.

• 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; 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 client for various risk behaviors and situations to include 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 Registered Dietitian 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.
• 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate, motivate and organize projects among a broad spectrum of personnel, frequently under deadline pressure.
• Skill in demonstrating a cooperative, professional attitude to cultivate relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Skill in prioritizing and organizing multiple tasks and the ability to complete projects in a timely manner.
• Ability to respond in a flexible manner and reprioritize work as situations change.
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgment by taking appropriate actions regarding questionable findings or concerns.
• Ability to identify problems and work creatively to resolve them, considering the impact of actions on Public Health.
• Ability to identify results of efforts and problems identified/potential problems and to develop and recommend corrective actions to supervisor.
• Knowledge and understanding of company policies and procedures.
• Ability to write and maintain accurate records and reports to meet management objectives.
• Ability to maintain the security of sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Skilled in training and presentation.
• Ability to perform under stress and time constraints. 
• Ability to maintain the security of sensitive and confidential information.
• Skill in using a computer and various software packages including Microsoft Office.
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance. 

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent education.
• Minimum two years of community health, public health, social services, education, or related experience.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.

Licenses/Certificates:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Ability to acquire WIC State level 1, 2 and 3 certifications within program timelines.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Must pass conditional post offer background investigation, motor vehicle record check, drug screen, and physical examination.

Work environment may be loud with potential exposure to infections, blood, and contagious diseases. Some travel may be required; work may be assigned in various locations. Must be able to safely lift and carry up to 35 pounds and bend at waist or knees to get down to child's level. 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.