PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION PROGRAM DIRECTOR - 64001571

Requisition No: 872725 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION PROGRAM DIRECTOR - 64001571

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64001571 

Salary:  $70,000-$72,000 

Posting Closing Date: 04/13/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPEN COMPETITIVE

*Anticipated Vacancy*

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is a professional position reporting to the Public Health Nutrition Program Manager in the Division of Community Health Promotion.  This position is 100% supported by the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) grant.

Supervises the work of the State Breastfeeding Coordinator and Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Coordinator and provides leadership, direction and support.  Performs all supervisory duties including, but not limited to, planning and directing staff’s work, hiring and selection, developing performance plans, conducting performance appraisals, approving leave, and taking disciplinary action as appropriate.

Provides quality assurance and quality improvement evaluation of the nutrition component of statewide WIC nutrition programs.  Performs on-site regulatory monitoring and technical assistance reviews of local WIC agencies in order to ensure compliance and quality in the areas of certification, nutrition risk assessment, nutrition education, breastfeeding and efficient clinic operations.  Prepares reports describing in detail results of monitoring and technical assistance visits to local agencies.  Assists local agencies in the development of plans of corrective action and ensures corrective action is implemented in areas determined to be deficient during on-site monitoring reviews.

Serves as the lead for nutrition‑related training, coordinating updates to existing training materials, developing new training resources as program needs evolve, and ensuring alignment with statewide standards and best practices. Coordinates new WIC Coordinator trainings.

Leads the statewide WIC Dietetic Internship by managing intern tracking systems, developing and maintaining program policies and internship agreements, and working in close partnership with the statewide Dietetic Internship leadership team to ensure program quality, consistency, and compliance with all state and federal guidelines, rules, and regulations.

Acts as the primary support and delegated authority for the nutrition consultant supervisor.  Provides high‑level operational coordination to ensure the seamless execution of nutrition program priorities. 

Initiates and carries out statistical analyses, formative, and summative evaluation models for WIC programs and activities.  Reviews and analyzes WIC data and other maternal and child health related data that impacts WIC policies and procedures. Evaluates requests for WIC data or studies to be conducted in WIC clinics or with WIC data, based on federal and state policies, and impact on WIC Clinics and Department Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval.   Coordinates responses with Nutrition Program Manager, Bureau Chief and division directives.  Coordinates USDA funded WIC studies with state and local agency WIC staff.

Prepares and compiles data for special reports and assignments.  Produces federally required reports and related portions of the State Plan and Procedure Manual.  Writes and reviews reports, correspondence and other written materials as required.  Responds to ZZZZ mailbox and other requests from the public.

Participates in the development of the Bureau’s long range plans and responses to Department indicators and serves as lead to report data.  Ensures promotion of and adherence to the goals and objectives of the Department and the Bureau.  Assists in the review and/or development of recommendations for state and federal legislation, legislative budget issues, and legislative reports including bill analysis or position papers.

Maintains and improves professional knowledge and skills through participation in staff meetings and through other staff development activities.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:  the principles of public health administration, planning and regulation; basic supervisory principles and practices; problem solving techniques; correct spelling, grammar and punctuation; and WIC Program regulations and policies.

Skill in:  The use of computers and standard software programs; public speaking and communicating nutrition and programmatic information at appropriate levels to different audiences.

Ability to:  understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures;  think critically;  compile, organize, analyze and evaluate data;  organize data into logical format for presentations, reports, and documents;  develop reports, manuals, policies and procedures;  review data for accuracy and completeness;  develop objectives, strategies, plans and effectively implement;  review and evaluate plans, processes and programs to identify improvements and adjustments needed to ensure program effectiveness and efficiency;  implement corrective actions and evaluate the results;  present negative findings in an effective manner;  conduct basic research;  utilize problem solving techniques;  provide consultation and expert advice;  guide, direct and supervise staff; plan, organize, prioritize and coordinate work assignments to ensure timely completion of quality, accurate work products;  communicate effectively, verbally and in writing;  establish and maintain effective working relationships;  and work independently.

Qualifications:

Required - Florida licensure as a Dietitian/Nutritionist required.  This position requires that the incumbent meets the requirements outlined in Chapter 468, Part X, Florida Statutes, or be eligible to practice dietetics in accordance with Chapter 64B8-40 to 45, Florida Administrative Code. Must be willing to physically come in the office to perform the duties & responsibilities of the position.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree with emphasis in food and nutrition, community nutrition, public health nutrition, nutrition education, human nutrition, nutrition science or equivalent is preferred.
• Registration as a dietitian as defined by the Commission on Dietetic Registration preferred. 
• Currently hold credentials as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) or Certified Lactation Educator (CLE) is preferred.

• Have at least five years’ work experience as a nutritionist in education, social service, maternal and child health, public health, nutrition, or dietetics is preferred.
• Have at least three years’ supervisory experience is preferred.
• Have at least three years’ experience conducting program monitoring/review is preferred.

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:

Tallahassee, Florida

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.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.

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.    

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.