WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

San Diego State University; Encinitas (CA); On-site; USD 9,900 - 10,000; Part time

Job summary

The SDSU Research Foundation invites applications for a part-time WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at the Vista WIC Office in Vista, CA. The role supports new mothers by providing basic breastfeeding information, troubleshooting, and referrals; you may work outside usual hours when needed.

Responsibilities include contacting mothers by phone, counseling in-office, handling referrals, keeping records in WIC WISE, and collaborating with lactation staff.

Qualifications

• Preferred Qualifications: Bilingual English/Spanish or Arabic depending on location.

Responsibilities

• Contacting pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by phone at specified intervals.
• Counseling her caseload of participants when they are in the office.
• Responding to internal referrals received from WIC site staff.
• Referring to the lactation specialist for breastfeeding issues outside her scope of practice.
• Keeping accurate records of all contacts made using the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Database and WIC WISE as appropriate.
• Attending initial breastfeeding training to become a peer counselor, and ongoing lactation training.
• Attending WIC staff meetings and completing required WIC trainings.
• Comply with state and local agency breastfeeding policies and competencies.
• Has breastfed at least one baby.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish/Arabic

Job description

Job Details

• This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place after September 28, 2026.
• The pay rate for this position is $19 - $20 per hour, 10 hours per week.
• This is a part time position located at our Vista WIC Office, 1031 South Santa Fe Ave, Suite F, Vista, CA 92083.

The SDSU Research Foundation Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is the largest WIC agency in San Diego County, with approximately 75 employees providing a variety of nutrition services to over 26,000 participants monthly. The WIC program is a safety net program that aims to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care for residents of San Diego County.

Under the direction of the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Supervisor, the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor will provide basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, helping them overcome barriers and get a good start with breastfeeding. They may be available outside of usual working hours to mothers who are having breastfeeding problems. PC staff work together with other WIC employees in their efforts to improve breastfeeding rates in the target community.

Breastfeeding Counseling and Education 95%

• Contacting pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by phone at specified intervals
• Counseling her caseload of participants when they are in the office
• Responding to internal referrals received from WIC site staff
• Referring to the lactation specialist for breastfeeding issues outside her scope of practice
• Keeping accurate records of all contacts made using the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Database and WIC WISE as appropriate

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned 5%

• Attending initial breastfeeding training to become a peer counselor, as well as ongoing lactation training
• Attending WIC staff meetings and completing required WIC trainings
• Comply with state and local agency breastfeeding policies and competencies
• Has breastfed at least one baby

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual English/Spanish or Arabic depending on location

Additional Applicant Information

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.