Nutrition Educator - 64004129

Requisition No: 800066 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: NUTRITION EDUCATOR - 64004129

Position Number: 64004129 

Salary:  $36,000 - $40,000 annually 

Posting Closing Date: 01/18/2024 

**Career Service**

External Advertisement

When completing the online application, all gaps of employment or education greater than 90 days starting from high school must be explained (approximate date, month and year) identifying company name or if unemployed.  Incomplete applications/resumes will not be considered. 

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Citrus County.  If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place.  Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida.  We hope you decide to join our team!  Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is a Nutrition Educator professional position in the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and reports directly to the WIC Director.  Primary duties are to provide nutrition assessment including the gathering of anthropometric and hematological data, and provide nutrition and breastfeeding counseling to clients; assistance and guidance to the clerical and technical support staff of the WIC program and other providers involved in the care and on the provision of services to WIC clients.  The incumbent will assist in the development of Citrus County WIC nutrition education materials for client distribution.  Duties may be performed at the main clinic site or any of the WIC satellite clinics. The person in this position must demonstrate good communication skills, professional ability and a high degree of expertise in the educational and training processes. Will be tasked to support and promote excellent Customer Service. Compliance with all standards associated with this position is required, along with adherence to security, integrity, and confidentiality regulations, policies and procedures related to information under the direct control of this position.  The incumbent in this position is responsible for the integrity and confidentiality of data sets under his/her control.

Certifies participants for WIC in accordance with federal requirements and Florida Department of Health WIC policies and guidelines.  Accurately determines a nutritional/health risk for certification through individual nutrition assessments and evaluations of health data obtained.  Provides appropriate WIC food packages to clients based on individually assessed information and current rules in place.    Documents all utilizing the SOAP method of Problem Oriented Recording in Florida WISE.  Provides professional nutrition counseling and follow up to clients in accordance with established care plan, nutrition education and breastfeeding promotion requirements in DHM 150-24.

Provides breastfeeding support, equipment, and information.  Promotes breastfeeding as the normal and preferred method of infant feeding in WIC clinics, support groups, breastfeeding classes, and other locations as necessary. Provides basic breastfeeding information and assists in teaching clients the use of breastfeeding equipment, ie. electric and manual pumps.

Responsible to work in a laboratory to obtain anthropometric and hematological data. Performs and records accurate measurements (heights/lengths and weights) as needed for certification or follow-up.  Uses CDC approved equipment correctly. Will obtain hemoglobin's as needed. Check client's immunization status in FL Shots and accurately inputs client information into the FL WiSE system. Provides nutrition assessment and appropriate nutrition counseling to high risk clients as well as low risk clients.  Participates in VENA (Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment) principles that include critical thinking, open-ended questions, readiness for change and client-centered goal setting.

Completes all required reports, documentation requirements, requests and assignments correctly and within needed time frames.  Functions as a team leader for other positions in the absence of supervisors.  Will be cross trained and will be expected to foster teamwork and assist staff when clinic staffing is short.  Attends meetings and participates in Citrus CHD committees as needed.  Adheres to Citrus County Health Department Confidentiality and Security policies and procedures. Attends Annual Confidentiality and Security Training's and updates.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the current science and practice of food and nutrition, dietetics or food service. Knowledge of normal nutrition principles and food needs throughout life cycle. Knowledge of meal planning, food budgeting and purchasing. Ability to provide nutrition education to others in groups or individual instruction. Ability to determine nutritional needs and develop nutrition education plans for individual who are low, high or medical high nutritional risk. Ability to educate individuals and families about food and nutritional needs. Ability to participate in education or in-service training programs through teaching classes, demonstrating food practices, giving talks, and developing or selecting educational materials. Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to maintain records, communicate, maintain effective working relations and good rapport. Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Dietetics, Nutritional Science, or Food Science.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Lecanto - Citrus County

Inverness - Citrus County

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.