Next Level Nutrition Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Dakota County employs more than 2,000 skilled individuals whose talents and contributions make Dakota County a premier place to live and work. The work County government does is unique. Dakota County offers important careers – the kind of careers that make a difference in people's lives. You will not be just another employee; you'll be a valued employee making a difference in the lives of Dakota County residents every single day. Will you be the next person to join us at Dakota County?

The Nutrition Specialist determines participants' eligibility for the WIC program through a comprehensive assessment process. This position provides education and counseling to participants to improve their health and nutritional status for needs mutually identified; implement a care plan, refer clients to other community resources, and assess client progress toward goals.

This position is in-person at our Western and Northern Service Centers in Apple Valley and West St. Paul, MN. Work is performed Monday through Friday during regular business hours (8:00am-4:30pm), with occasional evening hours until 6:30pm. This position has a variable schedule working 1-2 days per week.

As an Intermittent Nutrition Specialist, you will:

• Complete certification appointments for WIC participants, in which you will assess eligibility, determine health and nutrition risk factors, and create nutrition intervention plans based on identified needs
• Document assessment, intervention plans, and outcomes in WIC Information System
• Conduct follow-up nutrition assessments with corresponding nutrition education, following the counseling style of Participant Centered Services
• Perform public health emergency response functions as trained and assigned within the department's emergency response plan
• Promote a diverse, inclusive, culturally competent, and respectful workplace
• Promote the department, division and county's mission and vision
• Promote a culture that values excellence, innovation, collaboration, and one that empowers individuals

Need to have qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree or higher in Nutrition, meeting state WIC standards
OR
• Associate's Degree in Dietetics Technology AND
• Must be registered at time of hire if you are a graduate of a Dietetic Technician program and maintain ongoing registration as Dietetic Technician by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)

Nice to have qualifications:

• Experience working for the WIC program
• Completed lactation education/training and/or experience working with lactating individuals
• Bilingual skills are desirable

This position requires occasional travel throughout Dakota County. The position requires computer skills and knowledge, including keyboarding, to perform job functions.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Determine client/family needs by completion of a comprehensive assessment of the family/client situation focusing on nutrition and related health needs using independent nutrition assessment skills and professional judgment.
2. Develop and implement a nutrition intervention plan and strategies to meet identified needs and address service gaps to produce effective client outcomes and facilitate behavior change.
3. Counsel, advise and educate clients on realistic and individualized options to improve their health and nutrition status through the use of participant centered services. In addition, utilize available community resources to address identified needs building on individual and family strengths.
4. Document assessment, intervention plans, and outcomes according to federal, state, and local program regulations, statutes, policies, guidelines, and practice standards; provide input for program quality improvement.
5. Collaborates on the care of high-risk cases by communication and consultation with the high-risk team to ensure sufficient information is provided, so an individualized nutrition care plan (INCP) is developed and implemented by high risk staff. (Note: High-risk staff develop and direct the INCP. Nutrition Specialist staff may see the client and identify a risk factor that triggers the INCP. Nutrition Specialist staff may also be involved in helping carry out the plan developed by the high-risk staff, if delegated to do so.)
6. Represents the agency in internal and external workgroups and advisory committees and provide consultation with county staff within scope of position to assure coordination of care and to support planning needs of other department services.
7. Ability to accurately perform and assess anthropometrics and hematological test as a part of nutrition practice when delivering client services.
8. Apply evidence-based information and research to advance individual and program level nutrition practices in WIC.
9. Performs public health emergency response functions as trained and assigned within the department's emergency response plan.
10. Performs other duties and tasks as assigned.

Essential job functions: Duties 1-6 are essential functions.

• Knowledge of human dietetics and nutrition principles in health and disease across the lifespan, especially in maternal/infant/child health and breast/chest feeding and their application to public health, public health nutrition, and other healthcare settings.
• Knowledge of effective client-centered education and counseling methods and concepts used to facilitate behavior change and skill building with WIC eligible population in public health settings.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations, statutes, policies, guidelines related to Dakota County, Public Health and public health nutrition and the ability to integrate them into practice.
• Knowledge of cultural patterns and practices of diverse populations, especially those that relate to health and nutrition of women, infants, and children.
• Knowledge of universal precautions and blood borne pathogens, and ability to implement them in public health practice settings.
• Knowledge of communities and their resources, and the ability to identify gaps in available resources and barriers to client access and referral.
• Ability to establish collaborative relationships with other health professionals and staff to deliver safe, effective nutrition services.
• Ability to refer clients and their families to other professional services when needs are beyond the scope of nutrition practice or can be better addressed in a collaborative environment.
• Considerable ability to use technology and software, data, and information systems to support client services and perform assigned duties within specified work standards.
• Ability to communicate effectively for client and program services in a variety of formats, including oral, written, visual, and electronic methods.
• Ability to work effectively in teams to meet the nutrition related health needs of WIC clients.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize responsibilities, and solve problems effectively.
• Ability to competently perform CPR.

Work environment: Work is performed in a County office building. Moving or transporting of items up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis is required. Exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as challenging and unpredictable clients and family members, noisy environments, workspace restricting movements, and possible exposure to communicable diseases occur in the WIC clinic area. Exposure to hazardous materials such as chemicals, blood, and other body fluids may occur. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to; computer, printer, calculator, telephone, copy and fax machines, Hemocue, adult and infant scales, recumbent and standing measuring boards.

Selection process: The examination/selection process for this classification will consist of a rating of your training and experience from the application materials submitted. The top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.