What are the responsibilities and job description for the WIC Certifier position at Benton County?
EXCITING JOB OPPORTUNITY!
JOIN OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT TEAM!
The Benton County Public Health Department is seeking candidates and accepting applications for a Full-Time WIC CERTIFIER position within their Healthy Families Unit.
* Recruitment will remain open until the position is filled. * Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with the first review of applications starting on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18th, 2025.
NOTE: Remember to upload and attach with your application a copy of your College Transcript, Licensure(s), and Certificate(s).
This position's 2025 hiring wage range is $25.00 - $26.86 per hour, based on preferred qualifications and experience, with a career potential of up to $34.31 per hour.
Position Summary
The WIC Certifier plays a vital role in the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition program, a federally funded nutrition assistance program focused on improving the health and nutrition of low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five. The WIC Certifier will be responsible for providing nutrition assessments, nutrition education and counseling, breastfeeding promotion, and referrals to community resources to the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program participants in Benton County.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Functions
A. Determines program eligibility of WIC participants.
A.1. Completes certification appointments.
A.2. Interviews and assesses nutrition risk.
A.3. Obtain height, weight, and hemoglobin for each participant.
B. Issue food and formula benefit vouchers for WIC participants.
C. Provides nutrition education to participants based on diet assessments; develops and documents Individual Nutrition Care Plans.
D. Provide education, encouragement, and support on breastfeeding to participants and the community.
E. Completes participant transfers from other counties or state WIC programs.
F. Assists with Benton County's car seat program and provides instruction at car seat clinics.
G. Provides outreach education on the Child and Teen Check-up program to medical assistance recipients ages birth to 21 years.
H. Assists in the lead screening program by collecting blood samples and completing paperwork.
I. Maintains participant’s charts and computer files.
J. Provides phone contacts to participants providing information, education, appointment scheduling, and resource referrals.
Additional Functions
A. Responsible for own professional growth and development by pursuing education, participating in professional committees and work groups, and contributing to a work environment where continual improvements in practice are pursued.
B. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.
QualificationsEssential Functions
A. Determines program eligibility of WIC participants.
A.1. Completes certification appointments.
A.2. Interviews and assesses nutrition risk.
A.3. Obtain height, weight, and hemoglobin for each participant.
B. Issue food and formula benefit vouchers for WIC participants.
C. Provides nutrition education to participants based on diet assessments; develops and documents Individual Nutrition Care Plans.
D. Provide education, encouragement, and support on breastfeeding to participants and the community.
E. Completes participant transfers from other counties or state WIC programs.
F. Assists with Benton County's car seat program and provides instruction at car seat clinics.
G. Provides outreach education on the Child and Teen Check-up program to medical assistance recipients ages birth to 21 years.
H. Assists in the lead screening program by collecting blood samples and completing paperwork.
I. Maintains participant’s charts and computer files.
J. Provides phone contacts to participants providing information, education, appointment scheduling, and resource referrals.
Additional Functions
A. Responsible for own professional growth and development by pursuing education, participating in professional committees and work groups, and contributing to a work environment where continual improvements in practice are pursued.
B. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.
Minimum Qualifications
A. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) credential preferred OR Nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered (NDTRs) – registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR); OR
B. Bachelor's Degree, or higher, in Food and Nutrition; Dietetics; Nutritional Sciences; Community Nutrition; Clinical Nutrition; Nursing; Community Health or Public Health education with applicable course work in nutrition or Home Economics field with applicable course work in nutrition; AND
C. Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive in the state of Minnesota.
D. Must successfully complete a background check.
E. Obtain and maintain certifications and licensures.
E.1. Within Six months of hire.
E.1.1. Complete WIC CPA’s.
E.1.2. Complete 10 hours of continuing education annually.
F. Fit Testing upon hire or annually or (as needed Just in Time).
Preferred Qualifications
A. One year of job-related experience working with the WIC Program or in a community health setting.
B. Experience in health promotion and prevention with knowledge of maternal and child nutrition, breastfeeding support, and public health principles.
C. Passion for promoting health equity and improving the well-being of underrepresented communities.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
A. Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of the profession’s functions including physical assessment and counseling.
B. Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, regulations, programs, and services relating to WIC and public health nursing.
C. Knowledge of medical and nutrition terminology.
D. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with diverse populations.
E. The ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, and have strong positive public relations skills.
F. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, demonstrating a commitment to providing quality care to program participants.
G. The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
H. Ability to administer operating rules and procedures under management guidance.
I. Ability to use considerable analytical ability to select, evaluate, and interpret data from several sources; interpretation of guidelines, policies, and procedures is required.
J. Ability to maintain communication with outside and inside contacts on matters requiring detailed or technical responses/explanations.
K. Ability to work extended, evening, and weekend hours as needed.
L. Ability to travel in with your daily work assignment.
M. Ability to travel within Minnesota, including extended overnight stays.
N. Must comply with organizational and departmental policies.
O. Performs physical/mental demands of the work environment requirements for this position.
P. Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours, and outside regular hours, as necessary.
Q. Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and citizen customers.
R. Must comply with data practices policies and standards relative to private data. Any access to private data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that is necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data is being accessed, employee should take reasonable measures to ensure the private data is not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is finished the private data must be properly stored according to county policies and the Minnesota Statutes.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions
A. Work is performed in the office and the community. Options for telework (when not required to be in the office or in the community) may be permitted at the discretion of the Department Head.
B. Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-20 pounds).
C. Headaches, eyestrain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and related occupational hazards associated with computer work reflect the most common potential for injury.
D. This position is occasionally exposed to mental effort and stress.
E. This position occasionally performs work under moderate attention to detail and deadlines.
Hours of Work
A. Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Equipment Utilized
A. Office equipment, medical equipment, computer hardware and software, and automobiles.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The County Board, County Administrator, or appropriate Elected Official retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.
Benton County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
Salary : $52,000 - $71,365
