WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Summary

This position is for current or past WIC parents that have successfully breast/chest fed one child exclusively for 6 months that is interested in receiving training to help other WIC clients to initiate and continue breast/chest feeding. Breastfeeding peer counselors provide recommendations and support in a socially and culturally appropriate way. They do this by offering evidence-based information and by addressing some of the common barriers to breast/chest feeding families. This candidate will work remotely and work with clients individually and in group settings virtually utilizing client-centered skills and following the USDA's Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Support Curriculum. This is a half-time 20 hours per week career service position.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Job Duties

• Promote breastfeeding as the optimal method of feeding among WIC participants.
• Provide basic breastfeeding information and encouragement, address concerns and establish rapport with assigned clients.
• Provide individual or group counseling for normal lactation management issues according to established protocols and approved resources.
• Address issues clients are most concerned about, help clients explore their barriers and visualized how breastfeeding can work for them.
• Promote breastfeeding as the optimal method of feeding among WIC participants, and as an important element in the health development of mother and baby;
• Provide basic breastfeeding information and encouragement, utilizing client-centered skills and following the USDA's Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Support Training;
• Establish rapport and address breastfeeding concerns and assigned clients;
• Provide individual or group counseling for normal lactation management issues according to established protocols and approved resources;
• Refer clients for more intensive breastfeeding assistance when indicated, per stablished protocols and approved resources;
• Address issues clients are most concern about;
• Help clients explore barriers to a successful breastfeeding experience;
• Assist clients in visualizing how breastfeeding can work for them;
• Maintain accurate records and chart notes of all client contacts;
• Follow agency procedures for making referrals and reporting child safety concerns.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Required:

• Current or past participation in the WIC program
• Previous personal breastfeeding experience of at least one infant exclusively for a minimum of six months
• Knowledge of basic breastfeeding methods and management of common problems
• Knowledge of basic breastfeeding physiology, anatomy, and counseling techniques
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality
• Ability to successfully demonstrate effective and professional cross-cultural communication skills in person and in writing
• Ability to adapt and adjust to needs of diverse clients
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Ability to use computer and software programs necessary to the position
• Experience working with diverse populations
• Valid Washington State Driver's License

• Completion of the USDA's Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Support Curriculum or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire
• Bilingual English and Spanish

Supplemental Information

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ , people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

• NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
• Resume

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements

• The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
• The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment.
• For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
• Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
• Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
• Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
• Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
• When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
• If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.

Work Schedule

Employees must reside in Washington state. The work associated with this position is performed by telecommuting. The hours are flexible Monday through Saturday, 8:00am to 6:30pm and may require work outside of regular business hours. This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and are overtime eligible.

Work Location

This position will be based out of Chinook, 401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104.

The work associated with this position will be performed through teleworking, and will report to office location and to meetings as needed. Travel to other work locations may be necessary. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. To support employees during this time King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Union Membership

This position is not represented by a Labor Union.

Contact

For questions about this recruitment, please contact Sarah Dunkinson (sdunkinson@kingcounty.gov).