OPS FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER - 64908097

Florida; Punta Gorda (FL); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

Florida Department of Health in Port Charlotte, FL is seeking an OPS Family Support Worker to serve as the breastfeeding peer counselor for the WIC program. The role requires personal breastfeeding experience and involves counseling pregnant and postpartum women by phone and in person, with some on-call duties during evenings and weekends.

The position is 24 hours per week with a flexible schedule. Applicants must be able to travel to WIC satellite clinics, complete required records in FL-WiSE,

Qualifications

• Must have personal breastfeeding experience.
• Valid Florida driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Must be willing to work at other WIC satellite clinics as needed.
• Work experience in a WIC office is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Counsel and support WIC clients by telephone and in person.
• Be available after hours and weekends for client support.
• Document client information in FL-WiSE and program forms.
• Coordinate with IBCLC and nutrition staff for referrals.

Skills

Personal breastfeeding experience

Verbal & written communication

Office procedures knowledge

Data collection methods knowledge

Tools

Personal computer

Job description

Requisition No: 883606

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: OPS FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER - 64908097

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 64908097

Salary: $18.40 per Hour

Posting Closing Date: 10/08/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Your Specific Responsibilities

This position is based at Port Charlotte and reports to the Public Health Nutrition Program Director/Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Coordinator. This position assumes the role of the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) breastfeeding peer counselor and must have personal breastfeeding experience. The incumbent is expected to work 24 hours per week. The schedule is flexible.

• Promotes breastfeeding as the preferred method of infant feeding by counseling WIC pregnant and postpartum women through telephone and in-person interactions. Is willing to be on-call for clients during office hours and weekends, up to 9:00 PM. Accurately screens and assesses client’s breastfeeding status and needs, reviews demographic and nutrition/medical data, and accurately documents in client’s record on FL-WiSE and/or on program approved contact forms. Works within scope of practice of providing basic breastfeeding information to WIC clients while maintaining client privacy and confidentiality. Provides appropriate referrals to International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), local agency and community breastfeeding experts, WIC Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC) and nutritionists, other health care professionals, and/or social services agencies.
• Assists WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through prenatal support classes, special projects, and outreach breastfeeding events. Attends additional breastfeeding training classes, supervised activities, State meetings, and in-services to increase skills and knowledge. Works with community hospitals to visit with WIC clients who have recently delivered and need breastfeeding support.
• Accurately completes and submits all administrative records, including, but not limited to mandatory training, EARs, timesheets, leave requests, travel, and monthly reports in a timely manner according to Health Department policies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Personal breastfeeding experience
• Knowledge of Statutes and Rules and Regulations that pertain to the WIC program
• Knowledge of principles, practices & office procedures
• Knowledge of correct spelling, punctuation & grammar usage
• Knowledge of standard business formats & styles for letters & business forms
• Knowledge of prenatal, breastfeeding, postpartum, infant and children nutrition
• Knowledge of breastfeeding benefits and ability to promote and educate on it
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection
• Knowledge of the principles & techniques of records management
• Knowledge of planning principles & techniques
• Skill in operating a personal computer
• Ability to provide breastfeeding support for individuals and groups
• Ability to operate general office equipment
• Ability to train others and deal effectively with a variety of people
• Ability to follow office procedures and practices
• Ability to organize and maintain filing systems
• Ability to handle telephone calls in a courteous and effective manner
• Ability to plan, organize & coordinate work assignments & communicate effectively verbally & in writing
• Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationships with others
• Ability to understand, interpret & apply applicable rules, regulations, polices & procedures
• Ability to prioritize individual workload, prepare reports & maintain records
• Ability to frequently bend, kneel, reach, and sit or stand for long periods of time
• Ability to frequently use telephone, computer, copier and small hand tools, i.e. Stapler, scissors, etc.
• Ability to work with occasional loud noises
• Ability to follow instructions
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as needed
• Ability to review data for accuracy & completeness
• Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision
• Ability to work indoors with occasional temperature changes

Qualifications

• Incumbent must possess a valid Florida driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.
• Must be available by phone for clients after normal business hours and on weekends
• Personal breastfeeding experience is required.
• Must be willing to work at other WIC satellite clinics as needed.
• Work experience in a WIC office is preferred.
• Fluent in Spanish and/or Haitian Creole is preferred.

Mission

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work

Port Charlotte, FL

Benefits

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements. Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com .

Please Be Advised

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process. This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov. If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending on the date of your retirement. The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility. Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days. All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered. The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.