Nutrition Assistant

County of Contra Costa; California (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Contra Costa Health Services seeks a Nutrition Assistant for the WIC program in Pittsburg, CA. This temporary role supports screening, education, and certification of participants, with travel to different sites within Contra Costa County as needed.

You will communicate nutrition information, assist with group sessions, and coordinate referrals to health providers. A qualifying education in nutrition or related field is required, with potential WIC certification training provided.

Qualifications

• Perform participant screenings, registration, and determine program eligibility in the WIC program.
• Certify and recertify participants using California’s WIC WISE system.
• Provide nutrition education and breastfeeding support; refer high‑risk participants.

Responsibilities

• Perform participant screenings, registration, determining program eligibility, verifying income and addresses, and documenting medical and nutrition data.
• Performing certification and recertification of participants using California’s WIC WISE System
• Assess the nutritional needs of WIC participants, providing nutrition education, and breastfeeding support, and referring high‑risk participants to the program’s public health nutritionists
• Providing group education on nutrition, breastfeeding, consumer education, and health-related topics
• Answering phones using phone etiquette
• Working with computers, data collection, and electronic client records
• Assisting in identifying and referring participants to health providers, public health nurses, and local community resources
• Supporting staff and community health professionals with nutrition and health information and referrals
• Providing orientation to participants regarding program services

Skills

Strong communicator

Customer oriented

Trustworthy

Team player

Knowledgeable

Education

AA/related field in nutrition

Tools

Epic

Microsoft Suite

WIC WISE

Job description

Why join the Contra Costa Health Services?

***This is for one (1) temporary position***

Bargaining Unit: Local 856 - Health Services Unit

The Contra Costa County Health Services Department is seeking to fill one (1) temporary Nutrition Assistant in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program located in Pittsburg, CA.

You may occasionally be required to travel to different sites within Contra Costa County.

Nutrition Assistants participate and assist in patient nutritional care services in an acute care hospital; relieve Registered Dietitians of certain routine aspects of the nutritional services program and may perform dietary-related tasks; determine, enroll, and recertify the WIC applicants program eligibility in Public Health, provide nutrition and breastfeeding education, develop care plans for low-risk participants, and provide group classes.

The WIC Program is a federally funded supplemental food and nutrition program for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children under age five who are at a nutritional risk.

The goal of the WIC Program is to provide women, infants, and children with healthy food, knowledge, and the opportunity to make healthy choices in an atmosphere of dignity and respect, thus enhancing the potential for all to enjoy a higher quality of life.

We are looking for someone who is:

• A strong communicator. You will be responsible for communicating (both written and verbally) relevant nutrition and breastfeeding information to WIC program participants.
• Customer Oriented. You will need to be respectful, empathetic, compassionate, and engaged when interacting with WIC participants and the WIC team.
• Trustworthy. You will be expected to display honesty, adhere to principles, and be personally accountable.
• A team player. You will be responsible for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals within the WIC Team.
• Knowledgeable. You will be responsible for providing virtual or in-person group education to WIC participants.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Performing participant screenings, registration, determining program eligibility, verifying income and addresses, and documenting medical and nutrition data.
• Performing certification and recertification of participants using California’s WIC WISE (Web Information System Exchange) System
• Assessing the nutritional needs of WIC participants, providing nutrition education, and breastfeeding support, and referring high-risk participants to the program’s public health nutritionists
• Providing group education on nutrition, breastfeeding, consumer education, and health-related topics
• Answering phones using phone etiquette
• Working with computers, data collection, and electronic client records
• Assisting in identifying and referring participants to health providers, public health nurses, and local community resources
• Supporting staff and community health professionals with nutrition and health information and referrals
• Providing orientation to participants regarding program services

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will be part of a dynamic team working to improve health outcomes and empower low-income families to make healthy choices and enjoy a higher quality of life.
• You will be able to support and mentor young families in your local community.
• You will work with a diverse population of staff and participants.
• You will have the opportunity to grow professionally through training, webinars, and conferences.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• The demands and needs of the program can change rapidly.
• Work can be time-sensitive and stressful at times.
• Clinic flow moves at a rapid pace as we serve a large population.

Competencies Required:

• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Group Facilitation: Enabling constructive and productive group interaction
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace

To read the complete job description, please visit the website: https://www.cccounty.us/hr.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.

Education:

Possession of either 1) an Associate of Arts degree from an accredited college or university with a major in food science, nutrition, home economics, dietetics, social work, public health or a closely related field, 2) completion of a dietetic technician program from an accredited college or university, 3) completion of a Didactic Program in Dietetics approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), or 4) WIC Nutrition Assistant (WNA) certification issued by a State WIC Program.

Note:

Incumbents that are assigned to the WIC program and do not possess the WNA certification must obtain it within nine (9) months of appointment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Possession of a Certified Lactation Educator certificate or similar
• Experience using Epic, Microsoft Suite, and WIC WISE computer programs
• Bilingual in Spanish

1. Application Filing and Evaluation:

All applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.

2. Training and Experience Evaluation:

At the time of filing, within the supplemental questionnaire, candidates will be required to complete a training and experience questionnaire. Candidates that clearly meet the minimum qualifications, as described above, will have their training and experience responses evaluated. The training and experience questionnaire is designed to measure candidate’s relevant education, training, and/or experience as it relates to the Nutrition Assistant classification. (Weighted 100%)

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment questions, please contact Health Services Personnel, Recruitment Team at [e-mail]. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at [phone].

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.