Public Health Nutritionist I

About the role

The primary focus for a Public Health Nutritionist is providing nutritional counseling and breastfeeding support to individuals enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program. A successful candidate uses motivational interviewing techniques during in-person and virtual appointments in a culturally competent manner and enjoys working with prenatal and postpartum individuals and children under the age of five.

Additional job expectations include working with nutritionally high-risk clients to develop follow-up plans, community outreach, education, and partnership with others involved with maternal and child health populations. We are looking for an innovative thinker with good assessment skills who can help us improve our services to clients.

As part of our team of nutritionists, this position performs outcomes-based planning, assesses the effectiveness of nutrition interventions through our Nutrition Services Plan, and participates in continuous improvement projects. This is accomplished through the development and implementation of nutrition education activities, follow-up on reports for client outreach and retention, and participation on teams and committees.

We value employees who embrace change and enjoy participating in a variety of activities in collaboration with other staff to meet our public health mission. All staff members are trained to respond to public health emergencies that affect the health of the community.

The Vermont Department of Health is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the department's diversity and commitment to foster an environment of mutual respect, acceptance, and equal opportunity.

Responsibilities

• Provide nutritional counseling and breastfeeding support to WIC participants
• Use motivational interviewing techniques in a culturally competent manner during in-person and virtual appointments
• Work with nutritionally high-risk clients to develop and implement follow-up plans
• Conduct community outreach and education related to maternal and child health
• Partner with stakeholders involved with maternal and child health populations
• Perform outcomes-based planning and assess the effectiveness of nutrition interventions
• Participate in continuous improvement projects through nutrition education activities
• Follow up on reports for client outreach and retention
• Participate on teams and committees to improve public health nutrition services
• Respond to public health emergencies that affect community health

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in nutrition, nutritional sciences, community nutrition, clinical nutrition, dietetics, or public health nutrition
• Applicants in the final semester of a bachelor’s or higher degree program in one of the listed fields may apply; graduation must occur prior to the start date

Preferred Qualifications

• Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (R.D./R.D.N)
• At least one year of experience providing nutrition education (volunteer, internship, or undergraduate experience will be considered)
• Demonstrated ability to implement public health interventions
• Content expertise in nutrition related to women, infants, and children
• Comfort using behavior change theory to inform work
• Comfort using Motivational Interviewing when providing nutrition counseling
• Desire and willingness to learn new things
• Effective communication and strong teamwork skills
• Comfort adapting to change in the dynamic field of public health

Schedule

This position is scheduled Monday–Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasional evenings, weekends, and travel to offsite events and WIC activities will be required.

A hybrid in-office/telework schedule is eligible, with possible teleworking up to 2 days per week. Upon hire, employees work with their supervisor to create a schedule that aligns with the business needs of the unit.