Nutrition Technician

Washington County's Public Health Division is seeking a Nutrition Technician to join our Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. We are looking for candidates who are bilingual in Spanish/English!

WIC is a program focused on nutrition education, breastfeeding support, health and diet screening, growth monitoring, and program referrals for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to 5 years of age. WIC serves families from many different cultural and ethnic traditions, languages, backgrounds and abilities. It is designed to promote positive health outcomes, strengthen life course nutrition and health, and reduce health disparities in the populations served.

Washington County is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve. In that spirit, we encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and experience to apply.

About the position:
In this position, you will be responsible for participant enrollment, orientation, benefit issuance, and participant files maintenance. You will also identify and make nutrition and other health-related referrals, perform participant risk assessments, and provide nutrition education in individual and group settings. Additionally, you will provide participant-centered nutrition and breastfeeding information, education, and counseling to WIC participants as well as assess participant nutrition status and eligibility for the WIC Supplemental Food Program. Moreover, you will get to travel to several clinic locations in Washington County, as needed.

Bilingual Positions:
Designated bilingual positions require that the incumbent have knowledge of the Spanish language, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Skill in writing Spanish accurately; ability to speak Spanish fluently; and ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing are required. If you possess these skills, you are encouraged to apply. An additional $75/per pay period for bilingual skills will be paid to qualified employees. Pay periods are every two weeks.

What we are looking for:

• Experience in screening, counseling, and providing information or education to WIC participants.
• Training or experience in the WIC Program regulations for eligibility, food benefits, and education.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and represent Black, Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC) communities and/or a self-identified individual currently or formerly accessing WIC services.
• Education or experience in the principles of public health, maternal and child nutrition education, and breastfeeding education.
• Training and experience with participant centered counseling and assessment techniques for culturally diverse participants.
• Knowledge and understanding of the origins and results of the disparities experienced by individuals and families related to racism and socio-economic injustices.
• Direct breastfeeding experience or formal lactation education is highly desired.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may come from a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role, even if you believe you do not meet all the hiring criteria described above.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly. To review this classification, please use this link: Nutrition Technician.

Education and Experience:

• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent; AND Two (2) years of work experience in the health care, community health, or social services field; OR
• Two (2) years of college-level training in health occupations may substitute for one (1) year of work experience.

Additional Licenses, Certificates, Physical Abilities and Specialty Requirements:

• Must be prepared to respond to public health emergencies or exercises at any time, except while on scheduled vacation or other leave. Must successfully complete basic incident management courses and participate in emergency response trainings as requested.
• Must protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal law.
• Must adhere to Federal and State OSHA guidelines, including but not limited to timely completion of mandatory trainings.
• Must pass bilingual proficiency assessment.

Background Investigation:
Please be advised that this position is required to pass a criminal background check post offer.

Please be clear and specific in the applicable sections of the employment application about how your background is relevant. This information must also be consistent with your supplemental question responses. Please note: Answers to the supplemental questions are typically evaluated separately from your application.

Washington County is committed to using a Merit-based System in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Our commitment to you:

Washington County values a culture of equity, diverse perspectives, and life experiences. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration and work-life harmony. We offer job stability, a comprehensive benefits package, and an opportunity to serve and support our diverse community. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity and an inclusive workforce. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

1. Apply today! Instead of submitting a resume, we ask that you complete and submit an online application, which will be used to screen for minimum qualifications (MQs) and to determine starting pay in accordance with the provision of the Oregon Equal Pay Law.
2. MQ Review: Human Resources will screen applications for MQs beginning the week after the posting closes.
3. Subject Matter Expert Review: Your responses to the supplemental questions may be evaluated and scored by a panel of subject matter experts. Your total score for this examination will affect your placement on the eligible list (a list of candidates eligible for interviews).
4. Panel Interview(s): The top 6 - 8 candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview.

Please note: candidates that are successful in the evaluation process may have their applications referred for additional vacancies in the same classification, or job family.

Status of Your Application:
You will be advised by e-mail of your status at each step in the application process, from initial application to final employment disposition. Please note that Washington County communicates with all candidates via email. If you "opt out" or "unsubscribe" from email notifications from NEOGOV it will impact our ability to communicate with you about job postings.

Veterans' Preference
If you are a Veteran and would like to be considered for a Veterans' preference for this recruitment, please review instructions using this link: Veterans' Preference Points.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act
Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-846-8606, or e-mail: Careers@washingtoncountyor.gov at least 48 hours before any step in the recruitment and selection process for which you feel you need accommodation.

Questions (?) Regarding This Recruitment
Laura Aranda, Talent Acquisition Business Partner
Laura_Aranda@washingtoncountyor.gov

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