Nutrition Educator 2(Nutrition Educator)

State of Louisiana; Lake Charles (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana Department of Health is seeking a Nutrition Educator 2 to support WIC operations and provide nutrition education to women, infants, and children across Louisiana.

The role involves fieldwork, education sessions, and data recording in LAWIN, with statewide duties and travel as needed to support Public Health initiatives.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in nutritional education or counseling, food service, or administrative services.
• Six semester hours in food and/or nutrition services.
• One year of vocational or technical school training in a dietetic assistant curriculum.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct nutrition education and outreach for WIC participants and caregivers.
• Plans and conducts nutrition education lessons, demonstrations, and cooking classes focused on WIC foods.
• Educates participants on WIC program policies, rights and responsibilities, and benefits usage.
• Maintains nutrition education records in the LAWIN system.
• Supports outreach by distributing materials and referring participants to community programs.

Skills

Nutrition education

Public health outreach

WIC program knowledge

Community outreach

Education

Six semester hours in nutrition

Dietetic assistant vocational/technical training

Job description

The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.

Learn more about Louisiana Department of Health

Join the Office of Public Health team as a Nutrition Educator 2 and make a meaningful impact on families and communities across Louisiana! In this rewarding role, you will support Parish Health Unit and Mobile WIC operations by providing nutrition education and promoting healthy lifestyles for women, infants, and children throughout the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children program. If you are passionate about public health, community outreach, and helping others thrive, we encourage you to apply and be part of a team dedicated to improving lives every day.

This position requires routine statewide duties, including fieldwork, inspections, investigations, or direct services that extend beyond the employee’s domicile parish. These statewide responsibilities are an inherent and ongoing part of the job and may require frequent travel.

Experience and Qualifications:

• One year of experience in nutritional education or counseling, food service, or administrative services; OR
• Six semester hours in food and/or nutrition services; OR
• One year of vocational or technical school training in a dietetic assistant curriculum.
• Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

During a disaster situation, must report as assigned to a Medical Needs Shelter (MNS) or to the Health Unit. When assigned to the MNS, the incumbent is to report to the designated shelter. Performs duties assigned by the appropriate Incident Command Staff (ICS).

Provides direct general nutrition education and outreach for pregnant women, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants, and children in the WIC program either on an individual basis or in a group. Education is provided as referred by Public Health Nutritionists, Health Educators or Public Health Nurses during the certification/recertification process.

• Provides nutrition education to WIC participants and caregivers on age-appropriate nutrition, feeding practices, breastfeeding benefits, healthy lifestyles, and proper formula preparation, food safety, sanitation, and food storage.
• Plans and conducts nutrition education lessons, demonstrations, taste testings, and cooking classes focused on WIC-approved foods and nutrients while documenting services in the LAWIN Management Information System.
• Educates participants on WIC program policies, participant rights and responsibilities, approved foods, and the proper use of WIC benefits during shopping.
• Assists with medical data collection and maintains accurate participant and nutrition education records to support WIC program operations.
• Supports outreach and community engagement efforts by maintaining nutrition education materials, distributing promotional resources, preparing activity reports, and referring participants to community health and social service programs as needed.

Performs anthropometric measurements of WIC participants accurately and in compliance with all applicable policies and protocols. Assists with general WIC program administration as needed.

• Collects blood samples from WIC participants to test hemoglobin values in compliance with WIC policies and procedures.
• Schedules participant appointments, follows up on missed appointments, and assists with maintaining continuity of WIC services through client transfer coordination.
• Performs WIC income screenings, updates participant information in the LAWIN system, assesses voter registration status, and assists with voter registration activities as needed.
• Supports clinic operations by assisting Competent Professional Authorities (CPA) and other clinic staff with daily program activities and participant services.
• Assists with participant education and program support activities, including conducting educational shopping trips, participating in meetings and special projects, and helping train new employees and dietetic students.

Position-Specific Details:

Location: Office of Public Health / Center for Community and Preventative Health / Calcasieu Parish

Appointment Type: This position will be filled as aJob appointment (temporary appointment that may last up to 48 months)

Cost Center: 3262107600

Position Number(s): 50695150

This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.

LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.

LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.