Wic Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Supervisor

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Health & Human Services Agency. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancy is with the Health & Human Services Agency located in Tulare County. The anticipated life of the list is six months.

Plan, assign, and supervise the work of Breastfeeding Peer Counselors; conduct group and individual conferences with staff to provide direction and interpret and explain rules, regulations, and policies; review the quality and quantity of work performed by unit workers and develop, implement, and monitor plans to maintain and improve unit performance; prepare employee performance evaluations, counsel employees, provide support and assist in correcting substandard performance; initial and ongoing training of the BFPC; maintain continuous quality improvement plan; conducting breastfeeding assessments either in person or over the phone or over telehealth or videoconferencing.; education and providing participants with solutions to problems such as insufficient weight gain, cleft palate and prematurity in infants; providing participants in the WIC program with up-to-date information regarding breastfeeding and performing related duties as required; traveling to peer counseling sites to meet with WIC participants and provide Peer Counselor support, as needed; assist in overseeing the respective WIC site, facilities, and operations; make responsible decisions according to established policies and procedures; function in a team with minimal supervision while remaining flexible and adaptable to various situations is required; organize work and perform it in a neat, thorough, and effective manner, handling multiple projects and deadlines as required; establishment of community partnerships to increase awareness and improve communication to promote a breastfeeding-friendly culture in their community; completion of the California Department of Public Health WIC Division (CDPH/WIC) required reports and assessments; ensuring the availability of services outside of normal work hours; mentoring BFPCs and other WIC staff; assisting with monthly BFPC meetings and breastfeeding in-service trainings; greet the applicant/participant either in person or on the telephone; accept information required for certification or assessment; maintain an electronic family/individual record through the WIC Web Information System Exchange (WISE) information system and a paper file and the Peer Counseling Data Base applications; interview applicants/participants and determine their certification or re-certification eligibility to include category screening and certification documentation; provide help to breastfeeding mothers, assess for issues that can impact breastfeeding success, learn to describe problems and symptoms, learn and apply Baby Behavior, learner centered teaching and other WIC techniques as needed; make referrals, issue the food packages and benefits, and schedule appointments; protect, promote, and support breastfeeding, regularly; enters, maintains participant data and ensures proper use of all WIC information system applications; ensures outreach activities are implemented; develop a care plan and conduct follow-up visits; assessments which include monitoring weight and health of the baby to ensure that both parent and child are healthy, documents assessments and notes case progress in breastfeeding database; provides breastfeeding education, both one-on-one and in group settings, to discuss the advantages of breastfeeding, educate parents on medical or other problems that might be encountered during breastfeeding, and explain the nutritional needs of nursing persons and babies; conducts outreach activities as needed to increase public awareness and to gain community support for the breastfeeding program; present to groups and individuals to provide program information and promote the benefits of breastfeeding; serve as a technical resource to WIC staff and health care providers within Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program's 'designated area; participates in trainings and monthly meetings for the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program; assists the Lactation Coordinator in developing and delivering trainings to Peer Counselors and CQI; keeps informed of current issues and trends in the field; when necessary, refers parents to qualified medical professionals; avoids the display or distribution of materials which promote human milk substitutes; support co-workers who are breastfeeding; know how and when to issue a breast pump.

Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Supervisor (IBCLC Credentialed)

Provide technical breastfeeding expertise to BFPCs in a timely manner; provide breastfeeding counseling to high-risk BFPC Program Participants who have been referred by the BFPC; conduct assessments of parents and infants at high-risk for breastfeeding complications and provides counseling to WIC clients either in person, at sites or over the phone; determine physical or other impediments to successful breastfeeding; Essential job duties may be assigned that are not listed above but are relative to this job classification. (Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.

Education: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.

Experience: One (1) year of experience in interviewing, individual/group nutrition education, or consumer education equivalent to that of a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.

Knowledge of: Basic computer data-entry; Baby Behavior, learner centered teaching and other WIC techniques; supervisory and interpersonal skills.

IBCLC Credentialed Knowledge of: Human lactation and breastfeeding; nutritional needs of infants and nursing women; common breastfeeding problems; community resources available to assist and provide treatment to breastfeeding women; counseling techniques; educational methods appropriate for participants; methods of assessing problems and providing breastfeeding support.

Skill/Ability to: Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers; operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment; training and facilitating workshops with groups and individuals; quickly build and maintain rapport with WIC participants and team members of differing backgrounds; work as an effective member of a team; strong customer service skills; basic computer skills and able to learn and understand the WIC WISE Program and the Peer Counseling Data Base; display professionalism in speech, manner and dress; advanced problem-solving skills; ability to make independent decisions that align with the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program; attention to detail and follow-through on work assignments; able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously; ability to work outside normal business hours as assigned.

License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license and Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), Certified Lactation Educator (CLE)/Certified Lactation Educator Counselor (CLEC)

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Skill/Ability to: Bilingual, Spanish/English preferred; one (1) year of supervisory experience

License or Certificate: International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

Conditions of Employment

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER