WIC Program Manager - Public Health

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 43,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is seeking an experienced WIC Program Manager to oversee the statewide WIC program operations in Lincoln, NE. You will provide strategic direction, ensure compliance with federal regulations, and lead a team delivering nutrition services to eligible families.

The role requires leading budgeting, reporting, and program evaluation activities, managing a $36 million budget, and coordinating with USDA to align federal requirements with state goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, business, public administration, social/behavioral sciences, education, health sciences, or law with at least one year of related experience.
• Experience in planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluating, marketing a program or service and supervising staff.

Responsibilities

• Direct overall State WIC Program operations and set the statewide vision for the DHHS WIC team.
• Develop partnership with USDA and serve as the program contact with the federal agency.
• Coordinate and manage a statewide budget of about $36 million; establish, control and monitor funds.
• Complete monthly financial and participation reporting, annual closeout and required federally reporting.
• Hire, train, supervise and manage WIC program staff and contract personnel.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Staff supervision

Communication skills

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in public health or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Google Workspace

Job description

Job Posting

JR2026-00028712 WIC Program Manager - Public Health (Open)

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency

Health & Human Services - Agency 25

Location:

Lincoln, NE

Hiring Rate

$31.186

Job Posting

JR2026-00028712 WIC Program Manager - Public Health (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On

(If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

Job Description

DHHS Nebraska is seeking an experienced leader to oversee the statewide operations of the State WIC Program and provide strategic direction and vision for the DHHS WIC team. The WIC Program Manager leads and oversees the implementation of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), ensuring compliance with federal regulations and the effective delivery of nutrition services to eligible families. Applying public health best practices to strategic planning, goal setting, and program evaluation, will ensure continuous improvement in service delivery. This role involves managing a substantial budget of approximately $36 million, including federal and grant funds, and ensuring timely financial and participation reporting. If you are a proven leader with expertise in public health program management and federal partnership coordination, we invite you to join our team and help implement the Public Health’s Teams Vision: A Healthy and Safe Nebraska – Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day!

Job Duties

• Direct overall State WIC Program operations, articulating the vision and strategic direction for the statewide program and the DHHS WIC team.
• Develop a working partnership with USDA staff and serve as the program contact with the federal agency.
• Coordinate and manage the statewide financial needs of the program. Establish, control, and monitor a large program budget of approximately $36 million.
• Complete monthly financial and participation reporting, annual closeout and additional federally required reporting.
• Regularly review state program funding needs, participate in federal reallocations; review, analyze and approve program expenditures.
• Manage organizational and financial relationships with 14 WIC subrecipients.
• Ensure the completion of the annual WIC state plan.
• Hire, train, supervise and manage state agency WIC program staff and contract personnel.
• Ensure program integrity through the completion of program monitoring, compliance and enforcement of program sanctions, rules and fair hearing process.
• Participate in individual or multi-state coalitions and partnerships to procure systems and contractors needed for required data collection and program services.
• Respond to requests from the Department, the public, APA and Public Records Unit.

Pay rate

$31.186 hourly. $32.746 hourly upon successful completion of original probation.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, social/behavioral sciences, education, health sciences, public health, education, law or related field and one year experience in program planning, implementation, budgeting, monitoring, evaluating, marketing a program or service and supervising/managing staff. Related coursework, training and/or education may substitute for the Bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in nutrition or public health field
• 2-5 years’ experience managing programs or large projects
• 2-5 years of supervisory experience

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of principles and practice of public health and public health nutrition programs
• Knowledge of federal and state law and policy related to public health and nutrition, including legislative and administrative processes
• Ability to plan and coordinate nutrition services in state government and private sector programs, provide anticipatory management to programs, and guide staff.
• Knowledge and skills in program administration, resource utilization, principles of the management process,
• Knowledge and skills in public health planning, strategic planning, program implementation and evaluation and data collection.
• Knowledge and skills in financial management, grants management and budgetary procedures.
• Knowledge and skills in public relations, building partnerships and customer service
• Skills including leadership, negotiation, building consensus
• Skills in supervising and motivating employees, and assigning work to program managers and program staff and change management.
• Skill in federal grant writing and management.
• Strong computer skills, particularly Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Google,
• Knowledge and experience evaluating programs and program outcomes, according to standards and best practices, including the ability to gather, analyze and interpret data and apply results for policy and program management recommendations and decisions.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

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Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation. Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.