Nutrition Educator

Job Summary:

As a member of the Office of Family Nutrition Services WIC team, this position supports the delivery of WIC services to individuals, families, and communities. Responsibilities include scheduling appointments; determining eligibility for income, identity, and residency; conducting nutrition assessments; promoting healthy growth, nutrition, and breastfeeding; issuing food benefits; and referring participants to appropriate social and community resources. The position guides participants in developing individualized, participant-centered plans and collaborates with office, local, and regional staff to ensure high-quality service delivery. This position works under the direction and supervision of the Manager, with guidance from the Team Lead.

Functions:

· Provide WIC case management throughout the certification period, including eligibility determination, nutrition and breastfeeding assessment, education, and follow-up support.

· Verify and document eligibility using income, identity, residency, and adjunct program participation (SNAP, Medicaid, TANF).

· Conduct accurate nutrition, health, and growth assessments and deliver individualized, participant-centered counseling.

· Issue and educate participants on WIC benefits, including eWIC card use, approved foods and retailers, shopping practices, mobile app, and participant portal.

· Refer participants to breastfeeding specialists and appropriate community and social service resources.

· Maintain accurate documentation, manage assigned caseloads, review reports, address over-issuance, and support program integrity.

· Collaborate with office, regional staff, local agencies, and community partners to support outreach, SCOOP goals, and high-quality service delivery.

· Participate in outreach events, mobile WIC services (WOW van), trainings, meetings, and other assigned duties.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Nutritional Sciences, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition, Family and Consumer Sciences preferred but will also consider, Human Ecology, Community Health, Human Services, Behavioral Sciences (sociology, psychology, social work)

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Knowledge of: Nutrition and health practices; social and economic conditions as they apply to nutrition; nutrition education methods; intermediate level nutrition education and knowledge of women, infants, and children.

Skills and ability to: evaluate programs and ensure compliance; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; interpret policies and procedures; apply literacy and language skills to appropriately address the needs of diverse populations; effectively communicate to support the development of collaborative working relationships with applicants, participants, families, co-workers and community partners; demonstrate empathy, initiative, and professionalism; organize, plan ahead, and set goals and priorities; proficiently navigate Microsoft suites; work simultaneously within several computer programs; and work autonomously and cooperatively with team to help achieve strategic goals.

The SD Department of Health will provide necessary nutrition and breastfeeding training for required level of expertise, WIC-specific training to perform duties described, and will have initial and annual proficiency testing.

Must be able to work Monday through Friday between 8am and 5pm. Working hours may extend beyond 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and occasional Saturdays may be required. Regular travel to satellite sites including overnight stays may be required for service delivery, trainings, or meetings.

Department of Health Information:

The South Dakota Department of Health's programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live, work and play; provide education to help people make good health decisions; prepare for, respond to, and prevent public health threats; and support efforts to enhance quality and accessibility of healthcare. Our services touch the lives of every person in South Dakota. We recognize that employees are our most valuable resource, and we are committed to promoting a culture of excellence in the Department of Health. We trust our employees to be innovative, challenge existing processes, and make the best decisions. We are interested in employing a culturally diverse and skilled workforce that exhibits the values of leadership, accountability, communication, integrity, and teamwork. Public health is a diverse and growing field that offers many career options for people from a variety of educational backgrounds. Imagine yourself as part of a winning team that is making the lives of South Dakotans healthier and safer.