Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Salary: $16.25 Hourly
Location : St. Clair County Health Department 3415 28th Street Port Huron, MI 48060
Job Type: CASUAL
Job Number: 23-259
Department: Public Health
Opening Date: 12/14/2023
Closing Date: 1/2/2024 11:59 PM Eastern
REQUISITION #: 23-259
HOURS: Casual
OTHER INFORMATION: Open to St. Clair County Employees and the Public
POSITION SUMMARY
Under the supervision of the WIC Program Supervisor, this paraprofessional support person will provide basic breastfeeding education and encouragement to pregnant and breastfeeding women enrolled in the WIC Program, at various St Clair County locations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Counsels and educates pregnant and breastfeeding women enrolled in the WIC Program by telephone or in person, from the WIC clinic.
• Maintains a caseload of clients who request breastfeeding information and assistance, and makes routine periodic contacts.
• Provides close contact and follow-up to mothers during the early post-partum period.
• Provides pregnant and breastfeeding women with advice on the normal course of breastfeeding.
• Yields complex breastfeeding issues or problems which are beyond the scope of the Peer Counselor's knowledge or skills to the WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator, or alternate breastfeeding professional or health care provider.
• Assists in teaching breastfeeding classes or support groups to WIC clients.
• Teaches use, cleaning and assembly of breast pumps; expression and storage of human milk; and participates in the breast pump loan and issuance program in the WIC program.
• Enters client contact data and education in the MI-WIC system; may schedule appointments and issue benefits when appropriate.
• Maintains and submits activity records and logs of phone calls and client contacts.
• Participates in WIC staff meetings and communicates information to WIC staff as needed.
• Participates in breastfeeding training, workshops and conferences as required and thereafter as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Work is performed under the direction of the applicable division head with direct supervision by the WIC Nursing Supervisor.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
N/A
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, EDUCATION:

• Breastfed at least one baby.
• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding and possess a genuine interest in helping others learn about breastfeeding.
• Writing, reading, mathematical principles; proficient computer skills-Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook; exercise sound judgment and decision making in accordance with policies and procedures; ability to research and problem solve independently; knowledge of County operations and functions; ability to prioritize and time manage; handle stressful situations, provide effective and friendly customer service; support the County's mission and values; ability to think critically where necessary.
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with management, co-workers and clients; obtain and communicate accurate information; apply common sense understanding to complex instructions and respond accordingly; communicate complex ideas through graphs, charts, presentations, reports or other professional correspondence.

ESSENTIAL ABILITIES FOR ALL ST. CLAIR COUNTY JOB CLASSIFICATIONS:

• Ability to demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Ability to read, write & communicate in English; follow written and verbal instruction and understand basic mathematics and figure checking.
• Ability to interpret and apply procedures, rules, technical information, instructions, manuals to complete tasks accurately and on schedule.
• Ability to learn from directions, observations, and mistakes; and apply procedures using good judgement.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain sensitive and confidential information.
• Ability to work independently or part of a team; ability to interact appropriately with others such as County officials, employees, vendors and the general public.
• Ability to work under supervision, receiving instructions/feedback, coaching/counseling and/or action/discipline.
• Adaptability to change in the work environment, managing competing demands and ability to deal with frequent changes, delays or unexpected events.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services including customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction
• Proficient skills using Microsoft Office programs including, but not limited to: Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook as required. Proficiency may be tested.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Prior to starting employment, the candidate must complete a satisfactory background check. The background check is understood to encompass all forms of pre-employment screening, including but not limited to: drug screen, physical, criminal background, driving record, sex offender registry, education, training and licensing verification, employment history, credit check, and professional and personal references.
• Possess a valid State of Michigan Operator's License and maintain eligibility to drive as per the County's vehicle policy throughout employment in this position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodations. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Speak to others to convey information effectively.
• Read, interpret and understand procedures, rules, technical information, instructions and manuals.
• Hear and understand information presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Specific vision requirement includes close vision, distance vision, color and depth perception.
• Use hands to operate a computer, handle materials and operate equipment.
• Push or pull carts, reach with hands and arms forward, above and below shoulder level.
• Lift, move or carry objects, equipment and supplies weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Sit, bend, stoop, crouch, crawl and kneel in an ergonomically correct manner.
• Stand and walk, climb stairs.
• Normal office hours are from 10:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Tuesday - Friday.
• Generally works in a normal office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate with many interruptions.

Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job requirements or duties performed. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: It is the policy of St. Clair County not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability that does not prevent performing essential job functions or because he or she is a protected veteran.
St. Clair County offers a robust benefits package. Benefits can be found