NUTRITION EDUCATOR - 64002617

Requisition No: 825255 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: NUTRITION EDUCATOR - 64002617

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64002617 

Salary:  $37,000 - $45,000 

Posting Closing Date: 12/23/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Open Competitive

Position: Nutrition Educator 64002617

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The incumbent, a Nutrition Educator, is an employee of the Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County, representing the agency and its mission and values.  The incumbent is part of the organization and is expected to promote cooperation, courtesy, and teamwork in a diverse environment.  The position is under the direct supervision of the Senior Public Health Nutritionist Supervisor. The Nutrition Educator position will work directly with Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clients in Desoto County.

• Completes nutrition assessments for low-risk and high-risk (excluding medically high-risk) Women, Infant and Children (WIC) clients to provide client-centered nutrition services. Documents nutrition care plan and identified nutrition risks using a standardized process. Provides Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment (VENA) based nutrition assessment and counseling utilizing appropriate educational materials. Assess client’s readiness to change and help client choose appropriate goal(s). Maintain documentation of participant goal setting. Establishes appropriate number of subsequent individual nutrition education contacts. Evaluates and revises nutrition care plan as needed. Ensures that appropriate notes/alerts are placed and that high-risk follow-ups are scheduled and completed when required. Completes nutrition education newsletter contacts for other family members as needed. Client services are provided efficiently and with regard to the timely flow of the clinic.
• Documents each contact in Florida’s WIC Information System (WiSE) and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) System (FL WiSE) in accordance with DHM 150-24 and FL WiSE User Manual. Assigns correct food packages according to client’s needs according to WIC policies and procedures in accordance with DHM 150-24. Issues EBT benefits and schedules future appointments as needed. 
• Promotes breastfeeding to WIC clients.  Ensures that the benefits of breastfeeding are discussed with prenatal clients and that they are provided with the appropriate educational materials, referred to the breastfeeding peer counselor and that this is documented in the nutrition education note or care plan. Ensure that breastfeeding moms and babies receive timely certification, breastfeeding assessment and education and are yielded to the Designated Breastfeeding Expert (DBE) when the client is medically high risk or have breastfeeding complications beyond the scope of practice of a Nutrition Educator. 
• Coordinates nutrition education services for assigned clients and makes referrals for appropriate services. Refers WIC participants to other Department of Health services, social service agencies, and community agencies.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of principles and techniques of effective communication.
• Knowledge of anthropometric measurements, hemoglobin finger sticks, analyzers and readings for infants, children and adults.
• Knowledge of basic breastfeeding and nutrition concepts to assist low-risk and high-risk clients.
• Knowledge of the methods of compiling, organizing, and analyzing data.
• Knowledge of general office procedures.
• Knowledge of basic breastfeeding practices.
• Knowledge of local breastfeeding resources.

Skills:

• Skill in Microsoft Office Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).and computer navigation.
• Skill in obtaining the needed information to make a decision which benefits the client and WIC.
• Skill in analyzing and explaining regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in basic counseling techniques.

Abilities:

• Ability to accurately perform data entry/
• Ability to perform anthropometric (height and weight) and hemoglobin finger sticks/analyzer readings with accuracy for infants, children, and women.
• Ability to perform basic or complex nutrition guidance for low- risk or high-risk clients.
• Ability to communicate effectively using various communication channels to provide education/training to audiences of varying literacy and comprehension levels.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to learn and navigate FL WiSE computer application.
• Ability to accurately prepare and maintain records, files, and reports.
• Ability to learn and remain in compliance with all Florida Department of Health policies and internal operating procedures, Florida Statutes, and WIC Procedure Manual DHM 150-24, while completing job duties.
• Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion. 
• Ability to reach, pull, and lift a minimum of 25 pounds.

Qualifications:

Incumbent must possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nutrition sciences, clinical nutrition or dietetics and a valid Florida Driver License or the ability to obtain one prior to hire.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Arcadia, FL

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.