Nutrition Program Coordinator

Job Announcement

The Fairfax County Health Department is a progressive public health leader serving 1.2 million residents from diverse ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds. With more than 100 years of leadership in the field, we are committed to promoting population health, protecting public health and the environment, and ensuring residents' equitable access to health services and information.

Responsible for long range planning and coordination of the Women, Infants and Children's (WIC) Program and nutrition services throughout the county, including program development, implementation, and evaluation to assure cost efficiency, high quality positive outcomes, and conformance with local/state/federal guidelines. Prepares program goals, objectives and service standards. Evaluates effectiveness of WIC and Nutrition service programs according to established service standards. Develops, directs and monitors the WIC budget and makes purchases based on WIC program and USDA guidelines. Coordinates with the Virginia Department of Health to ensure program compliance and implementation. Collaborates with other community organizations to provide nutrition services to at risk populations. This position is funded by the WIC grant and reports directly to the Assistant Director of Health Services.

Illustrative Duties

Implements, monitors and evaluates program measures to assure cost efficiency, quality positive outcomes and conformance with local/state/federal guidelines;
Develops WIC service standards based on studies including patient flow analyses, time and effort studies, cost per participant studies and scheduling standard studies;
Establishes policies and procedures to enhance effectiveness and efficiency of the WIC operation;
Monitors, audits, and evaluates the effectiveness of the WIC program;
Prepares and submits plans for program expansion and enhancement;
Ensures program is compliant with federal, state and local regulations;
Manages subordinate staff of nutritionists;
Directs or assists with hiring, staffing and supervision of all clinic sites within the division;
Designs and implements staff development programs;
Coordinates with universities and other agencies to establish interagency contracts to train dietetic interns;
Coordinates with the Virginia Department of Health to ensure program compliance and implementation;
Prepares WIC program budget;
Authorizes purchases within USDA guidelines;
Reviews and authorizes program expenditures;
Represents the agency at regional, state and national meetings and conferences;
Makes presentations to professionals in the field and to the general public.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of nutrition;
Knowledge of federal and state regulations governing the WIC program;
Knowledge of the budget process;
Knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques;
Ability to assess and evaluate the nutritional needs of clients and client groups;
Ability to plan for needed or mandated changes in size and composition of program staff;
Ability to assess strengths and development needs of workforce;
Ability to plan for needed or mandated changes in size and composition of workforce;
Ability to prepare and monitor budget;
Ability to measure and monitor program performance to make necessary improvements;
Ability to develop nutrition care plans;
Ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of health care professionals;
Demonstrated ability with general computer skills and operating systems;
Ability to communicate well both in writing and orally;
Ability to organize and apply available resources to accomplish goals;

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”) Master's degree in Nutrition or Public Health; plus four years of experience as a nutritionist, including at least two years in a supervisory role.

• Registered Dietitian by the American Dietetics Association and/or MS in Public Health Administration or Nutrition.
• Driver's License
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - CPR (Required within 60 days)
• AED (Required within 60 days)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a Child Protective Services Registry, a sanction screening, and a driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Previous WIC experience preferred and proven experience in overseeing the administrative aspects of a nutrition program, including fiscal management, program planning, staff supervision, program evaluation, outcome reporting, quality assurance and monitoring of adherence to program standards. Experience in budget oversight and grant management, to include strong working knowledge of federal, state and county financial reporting requirements for the WIC program. Preferred experience working with ethnically diverse populations in a public health/community health setting to include pregnant and post-partum women, lactation support, high-risk infants and children. Highly desirable to have experience in community partnership building and interdisciplinary collaboration. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Candidates who meet credentialing requirements to be a Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Previous experience as a WIC Nutritionist preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Employee is required to walk, stand, sit, bend, kneel, climb stairs and carry equipment up to 25 pounds in weight as required for the position. Uses hands to grasp, handle or feel. Visual acuity is required to read data on a computer monitor. Ability to operate keyboard driven equipment. Ability to drive a vehicle. Position frequently communicates and must be able to exchange accurate information with others verbally and in writing. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

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