Registered Dietitian/Community Health Worker

About DCHD:

Mission: To protect and promote healthier lifestyles through prevention and education.

As a certified health department, the Douglas County Health Department is responsible for several programs as well as many other public health services. Programs are grouped into divisions relating to either nursing, environmental health or health education. All programs have an educational component. The goal of this department is to increase the awareness and number of persons reached in this educational process.

Benefits:

• 13-15 Paid Holidays
• Vacation
• 3 days of Personal Time
• Accrual of 1 sick day per month (rollover)
• Employer paid employee health insurance premium
• Dental/Vision
• Life Insurance
• Tuition Assistance and Loan Repayment
• Flexible Schedules

Job Summary:

The Registered Dietitian (RD)/ Community Health Worker (CHW) supports individuals and families in accessing and utilizing SNAP benefits while promoting nutrition education and health lifestyle choices. This role combines direct community outreach, benefits navigation, and medical nutrition expertise to improve food security and overall health outcomes within the community.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• SNAP Outreach and Enrollment Support
  • Assist individuals with SNAP applications, recertifications, and troubleshooting barriers to access.
  • Provide one-on-one guidance on eligibility, documentation, and benefit usage.
  • Conduct outreach to underserved and eligible populations to increase SNAP participation.
• Nutrition Education & Counseling
  • Provide individualized and group nutrition education based on evidence-based practices.
  • Develop and deliver nutrition education programs tailored to SNAP participants.
  • Promote healthy food choices on a limited budget, including meal planning and food preparation.
  • Support chronic disease prevention and management through nutrition interventions.
• Community Engagement
  • Build relationships with community partners, food pantries, healthcare providers, and social service agencies.
  • Represent the organization at community events, health fairs, and outreach activities.
  • Identify community needs and barriers related to food access and nutrition.
• Care Coordination
  • Connect clients with additional resources.
  • Collaborate with internal teams and external parters to ensure support.
  • Follow up with clients to monitor progress and provide continued support.
• Compliance & Reporting
  • Ensure all activities align with the SNAP Connect grant requirements.
  • Track metrics, outcomes, and participant engagement.
  • Assist with reporting data and program outcomes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Regular predictable attendance is required.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, public speaking, and organizational skills.
• Consistently professional appearance and attitude.
• Experience with public health programs and working with underserved or vulnerable populations is preferred.
• Bilingual preferred but not required.

Education and Experience:

• Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credential.
• Certified Community Health Worker (CHW) or willingness to obtain a certification.
• Knowledge of SNAP benefits, eligibility processes, or willingness to learn.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions.

• DCHD is a smoke-free and drug-free workplace in compliance with federal guidelines.
• Frequently sitting, standing, moving.
• Exposure to environment outside of office for outreach events.

The Douglas County Health Department is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We embrace and encourage our employees' differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.

Our employment practices are rooted in our dedication to equal opportunity for all individuals. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

All employment decisions at the Douglas County Health Department are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to the above-listed characteristics. We provide a work environment free of harassment and retaliation and ensure compliance with all applicable laws that protect the rights of applicants and employees. Our policies reflect and affirm the department's commitment to the principles of fair employment and the elimination of all discriminatory practices.

If you require assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources Department at 217-253-4137 X 1207.