WIC Nutritionist (DOH/PHD/WIC #11754)

New Mexico Department of Health; Carlsbad (NM); On-site; USD 38,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Department of Health is seeking a Nutritionist for the WIC program in Carlsbad. The role screens applicants for eligibility, performs nutrition risk assessments, prescribes food packages, and delivers education to pregnant, breastfeeding, and young children.

Responsibilities include group and individual nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion, and developing care plans for high‑risk participants. Traveling to clinics and collaboration with partners are typical duties.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a health, social, education, or nutrition field with two years related experience.
• Six years total education/experience may substitute for the required education and experience.
• Valid driver's license and Defensive Driving Course within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake/certification and assess income, residency, and nutrition risk.
• Provide and prescribe food packages; deliver nutrition education (group and one-on-one).
• Promote breastfeeding and develop individual care plans for high‑risk participants.
• Refer participants to other health and social services and follow up on referrals.
• Document nutrition services provided and maintain accurate participant records.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in health/nutrition/education field

Tools

WIC computer system

MyWIC apps

Job description

Posting Details

INTERVIEWS ARE ANTICIPATED TO BE CONDUCTED WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF CLOSING DATE.

Salary

$27.37 - $41.06 Hourly

$56,931 - $85,396 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C7

Why does the job exist?

To screen applicants to determine eligibility by assessing income, residency and nutritional risk. Prescribes food packages. Provides group and one-on-one nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support that is responsive to the identified needs/interests of each participant. Identifies the need for individual care plans and implements them for high-risk participants. Refers participants to other health and social services and provides appropriate follow-up to referrals. Documents nutrition services provided, including referral and follow-up to referrals.

How does it get done?

Supports program operations by meeting caseload goals in performing clinic duties, traveling to clinics to perform services, outreach to health fairs and other programs to increase caseload, and provide customer service to applicants/participants.

• May provide intake/certification process of an applicant/participant including observation from, health assessment, breastfeeding women/infant evaluations, breastfeeding women/infant/child midpoint assessments; anthropometrics (heights, weights, hemoglobin), and immunization status by asking applicant/participant.
• Facilitate Nutrition Education classes using "Facilitators of Change" - Participant Centered Services (PCS) design
• May provide clinical nutrition assessments and/or prescribe food packages
• Provides group and one-on-one nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support that is responsive to the identified needs/interest of each participant
• Identifies the need for individual care plans and implements them for high-risk participants
• Refers participants to other health and social services and provides appropriate follow-up to referrals
• Documents nutrition services provided, including referral and follow-up to referrals

Who are the customers?

Qualified Pregnant, Breastfeeding and Post-partum women, infants and children - up to the age of five (5) years

Ideal Candidate

The ability to communicate in both English and Spanish is highly valued; commitment to New Mexico WIC Mission to improve the health of eligible women, infants and children; strong communication skills - written and verbal - to educate participants and collaborate with colleagues and community partners; Cultural competence is crucial to understand the diverse cultures of a varied population; organizational skills needed to efficiently manage participant files, documents and clinic schedules; problem-solving skills to identify nutritional issues and develop effective strategies to help participants adopt healthy habits and healthy behaviors; proficient technical skills using WIC specific computer system and MyWIC apps; and a willingness to stay updated on nutrition research and incorporate new knowledge into daily practice

Minimum Qualification

Bachelor's degree in a social, community, health, education, or nutritional field and two (2) years of experience as it pertains to the essential duties and responsibilities of the classification. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.

Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to visual/video display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Extended periods of driving and the ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds may be required. Potential exposure to communicable diseases and moderate office noise, heat, cold, and smells. Incumbent may be required to respond to Public Health emergencies during non-traditional work hours. Some travel with occasional overnight stay may be required.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.