WIC Nutritionist (DOH/PHD/WIC #11641)

Salary: $27.37 - $41.06 hourly / $56,931 - $85,396 annually. This position is classified as Pay Band C7.

About the role

The New Mexico WIC Program, within the Department of Health Food and Nutrition Bureau, safeguards the health of nutritionally at-risk low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, children, and seniors. This role screens applicants to determine eligibility by assessing income, residency, and nutritional risk at the Edgewood WIC Office. You will prescribe food packages, provide group and one-on-one nutrition education (including breastfeeding promotion and support), and create individual care plans for low-risk participants. Additionally, you will refer participants to other health and social services and ensure appropriate follow-up.

Responsibilities

• Assess and document participants' nutrition risks, prescribe food packages, and determine eligibility.
• Provide one-on-one and group nutrition education, including breastfeeding promotion and support.
• Assess participants' needs for breast pumps and other breastfeeding education.
• Obtain and assess hemoglobin and anthropometric measurements for each participant.
• Deliver quality client services using Participant Centered Education (PCE) constructs as required by the USDA.
• Assist families in developing healthy eating goals and provide ongoing nutrition education.
• Refer participants to health and social services and perform follow-up.
• Perform clerical duties such as filing, typing, data entry, word processing, operating office equipment, and managing electronic card inventory, archiving, vendor monitoring, and supply/pharmacy orders.
• Maintain participant and agency confidentiality while ensuring quality and customer service satisfaction.
• Assist the Nutrition Supervisor in increasing community awareness of the Public Health Division and NM WIC Program through outreach, health fairs, and developing nutrition education bulletin boards.
• Demonstrate support for WIC’s mission, vision, and philosophy while working with culturally diverse populations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a social, community, health, education, or nutritional field and two (2) years of relevant experience.
• Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License.
• Must possess or obtain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico within six (6) months of hire.

Ideal Candidate

• Fluent in both English and Spanish.
• Experience entering and retrieving data from multiple information systems, including the New Mexico Women, Infants & Children Program Automated Data System.
• Experience providing or coordinating direct nutrition services, including nutritional screening, assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation based on program guidelines.
• Experience collaborating and coordinating with community organizations.
• Experience assisting in food and nutrition programs to meet nutritional requirements.
• Experience counseling individuals and groups on nutrition, healthy eating habits, and nutrition monitoring.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to visual/video display terminals (VDT) and extensive 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, moderate office noise, heat, cold, and smells.
• May require responding to Public Health emergencies during non-traditional work hours.
• Some travel with occasional overnight stays may be required.

Pay

$27.37 - $41.06 hourly / $56,931 - $85,396 annually.