Canton Public Health WIC Peer Helper (Part-Time)

City of Canton; Canton (OH); On-site; USD 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Canton is seeking a WIC Peer Helper to provide breastfeeding information and encouragement to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers within the WIC program. The role includes offering breastfeeding referrals, in-clinic or telephonic support, and participating in outreach events.

Under supervision, you will support education, maintain records, and ensure confidentiality. Flexible hours may apply, and travel within the state is possible as part of outreach.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required or equivalent.
• Must be a current or former WIC participant or eligible for WIC services.
• Has breastfed an infant exclusively or substantially for at least six months.
• Has reliable transportation with a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Provide breastfeeding education and support in clinic or by telephone.
• Make referrals to the WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator when appropriate.
• Maintain accurate documentation and use the WIC Computer System.

Skills

Communication skills

Customer service

Bilingual

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

WIC Computer System

Job description

Minimum Salary: $16.05/hour

This is an open examination. To be eligible for the position under this examination, all applicants must be U.S. citizens or have a permanent resident card. Applicants must be a high school graduate or possess a G.E.D., be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver's license.

Position Summary:

A WIC Peer Helper is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Peer Helpers also provide appropriate breastfeeding referrals for issues beyond their scope of practice.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

70%- Breastfeeding Education and Support: Under the supervision of the Breastfeeding Coordinator, will use excellent customer service and communication skills in ongoing contact with breastfeeding and pregnant WIC participants in the clinic setting, on the telephone (in clinic or at home as required), or during breastfeeding classes, support groups, or outreach events. All Staff must adhere to the confidentiality requirements of the WIC Program. Additional responsibilities include: Assist the Breastfeeding Coordinator with various breastfeeding duties; serve as a breastfeeding resource person to WIC Staff; assist with clinic and health fair displays/bulletin boards; with permission issue and teach participants about the use of breast pumps; perform other duties as assigned.

15%- Referrals: Peer Helpers must make referrals to the WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator or other designated Health Professional when appropriate.

15%- Administrative: Maintain accurate and thorough documentation; schedule client contacts in an organized, consistent manner; maintain filing systems; use various computer applications including Agency email accounts and the WIC Computer System(s).

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Be available for flexible work hours that may include some after-hours breastfeeding support from home.
• Participate in State WIC Peer Helper Conference Calls.
• Organize and participate in WIC Breastfeeding Outreach in the Community.
• Participate in Agency and State WIC Meetings.
• Complete a minimum of 6 hours continuing education per year in the field of lactation.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Has breastfed an infant exclusively or substantially for at least six months.
• Has been a former or current WIC participant or eligible for WIC services.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Has reliable transportation with a valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Is enthusiastic about breastfeeding and wants to help other mothers enjoy a positive experience.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, non-verbal, written).
• Previous work experience.
• Up-to-date computer system skills & social media knowledge.
• Bilingual/cultural awareness.

Minimum Credentials: N/A

Key Competencies:

The following Council on Linkages Core Competencies (Adopted June 2014) for this position include:

• Communication Skills: 3A2, 3A7 · Cultural Competency Skills: 4A1, 4A2,4A5
• Community Dimensions of Practice Skills: 5A1, 5A7
• Financial Planning and Management Skills: 7A3, 7A11
• Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills: 8A1, 8A6, 8A7, 8A9

Canton City Health District has adopted Organizational Competencies that all employees are expected to achieve, of which the following are for this position:

• Customer Focus: 1A1, 1A2, 1A3, 1A4, 1A5
• Accountability: 2A1, 2A2, 2A3, 2A4, 2A5, 2A6, 2A7, 2A8
• Equity, Ethics and Fairness: 3A1, 3A2, 3A3, 3A4, 3A5
• Continuous Quality Improvement: 4A1, 4A2, 4A3, 4A4, 4A5, 4A6
• Occupational Health and Safety: 5A1, 5A2, 5A3, 5A4, 5A5, 5A6
• Emergency Preparedness: 6A1, 6A2, 6A3

Work Environment:

• General office setting in a health department facility. WIC clinic is fast-paced and typically noisy due to high volume of clients. Work performed in this position may be subject to challenging interactions with community members. Some in-state travel required.
• Reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA Compliance will be made available to those who need it to achieve the above descriptions.

SHOULD TEN OR FEWER QUALIFIED APPLICATIONS BE RECEIVED, NAMES WILL BE PLACED ON AN ELIGIBILITY LIST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR APPLICATION FILING DATE. SHOULD MORE THAN TEN QUALIFIED APPLICANTS REGISTER FOR THIS EXAMINATION, THOSE APPLICANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE FORMAT, LOCATION, DATE, AND TIME OF THE EXAMINATION.

Repeating an Exam: Per OAC Rule 123: 1-9-01, an applicant who has competed in a civil service examination cannot repeat that examination or take an examination for the same classification within FOUR MONTHS from the date of original examination, unless an alternative form of examination is given, or unless other standards are specific in the examination announcement.

RATING: Your name will be placed on a list of eligible candidates upon receiving a passing score. Once the list has been established, your name will remain on the list for a period of one (1) year.

DISCLAIMER: All applicants should receive an email from [e-mail] confirming that their application was received. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact Civil Service at [e-mail] to confirm that your application went through. Once Civil Service processes applications, you will be emailed again within 5 business days. Should you not receive an email, please call our office at 330-489-3360.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO VETERANS

As provided in ORC 124.23C, any person who has completed service in the uniformed services, who have been honorably discharged from the uniformed services or transferred to the reserve with evidence of satisfactory service, and who is an Ohio resident and any member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the Ohio National Guard, who has completed more than 180 days of active duty service pursuant to an executive order of the President of the United States or an act of Congress of the United States may file with the director a certificate of service or honorable discharge (DD-214 – Long version), and upon this filing, the person shall receive an additional credit of twenty percent (20%) of the person’s total grade given in the examination in which the person receives a passing grade.A member in good standing of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the Ohio National Guard, who successfully completes the members initial entry-level training shall receive a credit of fifteen percent (15%) of the person’s total grade given in the examination in which the person receives a passing grade.

NOTICE OF DRUG TESTING REQUIREMENT

Pursuant to Civil Service Rules applicants are hereby advised that the position of employment being examined for MAY subject to a drug test. Accordingly, eligibility is not considered final until drug testing has been successfully completed with a negative result.

NOTICE OF BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

Be advised that candidates MAY be subjected to a confidential background investigation, including, but not limited to, a criminal record check and driving record check.

ADA COMPLIANCE

Reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA Compliance will be made available upon request to those qualified applicants in need of it, in order to achieve the essential job functions as described above.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for appointment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, political affiliation, age, type of disability, or any other non-merit factor.

BY ORDER OF THE CANTON CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

Anna M. Moeglin, Interim Director