Degreed Nutritionist I (DN)

Send college transcripts to jobs@fresnoeoc.org. Unofficial transcripts are ok. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

None.

SUMMARY 

Conducts a variety of direct and support services for WIC Program participants including, but not limited to: nutrition and health assessment, eligibility determination (certification), prescription of appropriate food packages and benefit issuance for participants, and individual and group education on a variety of general nutrition topics mostly related to nutrition in pregnancy, post-partum, infancy, and early childhood.

The Degreed Nutritionist I provides basic and high-risk nutrition assessment, counseling and support to WIC participants following state and agency protocols.

Assist in the fulfillment of the Agency’s vision, “A strong Fresno County where people have resources to shape their future free from poverty.”

 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Abides by, embraces and integrates established Core Values into everyday interactions within the work environment including interaction with co-workers and WIC participants as defined within the Employee Standards of Excellence.

Provides outstanding customer service in everyday interactions. Greets participants in a cordial manner.

Determines WIC program eligibility through use of WIC Web Information System Exchange (WISE).

 Conducts health and nutrition assessments, screenings and data collections as required.

Provides nutrition education to WIC participants in group and individual settings, in-person, over the phone, and by video conference. Uses adult learning theories, participant-centered education, and anticipatory guidance. Provides high-risk counseling per protocol and under supervision of a Registered Dietitian.

Creates individual nutrition education care plans and follow-up plans for participants, including those at high risk, and electronically document summaries of appointments in WIC WISE. 

Prescribes appropriate WIC food packages to participants. Processes therapeutic medical formula requests under supervision of a Registered Dietitian.

 Promotes breastfeeding practices in all interactions.

 Provides education and distribution of electric breast pumps.  

 Provides breastfeeding promotion and services to local healthcare providers per Memorandums of Understanding.

 If certified as Lactation Counselor or Educator, provides thorough and advanced breastfeeding support as needed, including but not limited to direct hands on breastfeeding support. Follows State WIC Policy and Procedure Manual #600-10, Supporting Fully Breastfeeding for the First 30 Days. Functions as breastfeeding resource at site for other staff and peer counselors.  Maintains breastfeeding supplies at site. 

 Works at and engages in outreach activities and media events with the goal of increasing positive awareness of WIC Program with a goal of at least one event per year.

 Refers participants to Breastfeeding Peer Counselors (BPC), health and community services as needed.

 Maintains satisfactory scores on file audits and counseling in accordance with protocol.

 Ensures confidentiality of participants, clients, and programs, information, including employees, co-workers, the agency and other related information.

 Complies with all program, agency, state, and federal policies, procedures, protocols, and regulations.

 Interprets as needed.

 Engages actively in staff meetings and represents program in a positive and professional manner.

 Communicates in a professional and effective manner; develop and maintains effective working relationships with clinic staff and others.

 Supports WIC Program Administration by assisting with workgroups, outreach, and other assignments.

 Travels on short notice between work locations within program service area, and occasionally travels outside of Fresno County to attend conferences, participates in workshops, and conducts presentations.

Travels for agency business using reliable transportation.

 Maintains regular attendance and punctuality.

 Works evenings and weekends as required.

 Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To execute this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree with completion of academic requirements in the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) approved by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). 

Required Certification:

Provide transcripts that demonstrate completion of DPD or the specific required courses: 

• Basic Human Nutrition or Life Cycle Nutrition
• Maternal, Child & Infant Nutrition or Pediatric Nutrition
• Diet Therapy, Clinical Nutrition or Disease and Medical Nutrition Therapy
• Community Nutrition
• Food Selection/Preparation
• Psychology/Comparable Course

EXPERIENCE:

• One year of experience in a WIC Program or other public health program preferred.
• Minimum of one-year experience using mainframe data entry software preferred. 
• International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), or Certified Lactation Educator Counselor (CLEC), Certified Lactation Educator (CLE), or Certified Lactation Educator Specialist (CLES) preferred.  

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, related business software and general computer skills.

Proficient in variety of electronic communication, including but not limited to, two-way texting (via computer software), emailing, instant messaging, operating multiple phone line system, and video conferencing. 

Effective presentation, written and verbal communication skills. Ability to understand and apply written and oral instructions and guidelines.

 Bilingual in English and Spanish or other secondary languages may be required based on locations and needs of clients. 

 Ability to understand and apply written and oral instructions and guidelines.

 Willing to work non-traditional hours and days to meet the needs of this position.

 Ability to work well with youth/teens, multicultural groups, and with contracted service providers and representatives of partnering agencies.

 Ability to multi-task.

 Maintain valid California driver's license and the minimum auto insurance as required by state law, or reliable transportation. For those driving agency vehicles, must maintain insurability under agency policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and pathogens. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but the employee may occasionally be exposed to loud noises. 

Note:  The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required.  Also, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of Fresno EOC.

NEW: 1/1/2026