Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Norfolk Health Department seeks a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor to promote breastfeeding among WIC participants, healthcare workers, and the community. The role includes attending trainings and operating within the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum to support participants.

Responsibilities include multidisciplinary case conferencing, development of service plans, and representing the Local Agency on teams or coalitions where needed.

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of lactation and breastfeeding practices.
• Ability to instruct in group and individual settings.
• Good communication and referral skills.
• Personal breastfeeding experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Promote breastfeeding among WIC participants and the community.
• Attend breastfeeding promotion and support trainings when possible.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences to develop service plans.

Skills

Breastfeeding basics

Group instruction

Communication skills

Lactation support

Job description

Title: Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate II

Hiring Range: $15.50 -$18.50

Pay Band: 2

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: NORFOLK-HUNTERSVILLE

Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/norfolk/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Bold and catalytic, the Norfolk Department of Public Health is transforming the health landscape of our community through groundbreaking initiatives and strategic partnerships. We are committed to fostering a culture of radical collaboration, excellence, inclusivity, and resilience. We believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are dedicated to providing a supportive and dynamic work environment where your skills and passion can make a catalytic impact. If you are ready to contribute to meaningful change and be part of a forward-thinking organization, NDPH is the place for you!

Wage Employment are subject to the following conditions:

• Wage employees serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing authority.
• Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.
• Wage employees are not covered by the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act.
• Wage employees are paid only for the hours they actually work.
• Virginia state law currently requires that agencies not permit wage employees to work in excess of 29 hours per week on average over the course of a year. Wage employees may not work for VDH beyond 1,500 hours during the period of May 1 – April 30 of the following year (the Standard Measurement Period).
• Once a wage employee works the maximum of 1,500 hours during the Standard Measurement Period, the employee may be rehired as a wage employee of VDH only after the next Standard Measurement Period has begun.
• Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.

Job Duties

Norfolk Health Department is seeking to fill a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor who will promote breastfeeding among WIC participants, health care workers and the community. They will attend local, regional, or state breastfeeding promotion and support training when possible. They will operate within the BFPC scope of practice as defined in the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum. Participates in multidisciplinary team case conferencing to develop and implement WIC participant service plans. May represent Local Agency and WIC on interdisciplinary workgroups, taskforces, or coalitions.

This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the federal WIC Client Services grant for a one-year period ending September 30 continually. The availability of funding is scheduled for review annually and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrate a Working Knowledge of:
• Basic human lactation.
• Breastfeeding practices
• Various positioning techniques.
• Basic breastfeeding management.
• Manual expression of breast milk.
• Collection and storage of human milk.
• Good communication skills.

Demonstrated Ability to:

• Instruct in a group and individual setting
• Recognize problems related to breastfeeding and make appropriate referrals/interventions.
• Personal breastfeeding experience required

Additional Considerations

• Previously a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor preferred
• Current or former WIC participants preferred

Special Instructions

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get the AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Contact Information

Name: Ciara Everett

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]