HD Dietetic and Nutrition Specialist I

Division: Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Working Title: WIC Nutritionist

Direct Supervisor: Round Rock WIC Team Lead

This position performs routine-level nutrition services work. Work involves determining applicant eligibility, certifying nutrition risk conditions, prescribing supplemental foods, providing nutrition education including high-risk counseling if appropriate, breastfeeding education and support, and making referrals for recipients of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position is grant-funded with an end date of July 30, 2026.

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. Job descriptions list the specific tasks to be accomplished by the position the employee is filling at WCCHD. The WCCHD Employee Responsibilities are a set of general expectations for employees about how they should work with each other and the public we serve. Each employee must sign and acknowledge that they have been informed, understand, and agree to abide by these expectations. Violation of these responsibilities may lead to implementation of WCCHD’s disciplinary procedures.

Analytical/Assessment

• Determines program eligibility for program applicants in compliance with state, local, and federal guidelines and policies.
• Reads immunization records and refers participants to WCCHD immunization clinic or client’s provider as needed.
• Assists WIC Team Leads and WIC Director in the completion and evaluation of self-audits, client surveys, and other surveys and reports as required by the WIC Program.
• Assures client shopping list is printed correctly and provides a copy to the client.
• Changes appointment date/time in the TXIN system as needed to assure accuracy of appointments scheduled.
• Enters midpoint screening date into the TXIN system, as it is due, prior to issuing WIC benefits.
  
  

Policy Development/Program Planning

• Participate in QI activities to support a culture of Quality Improvement within the program and division.
• Assists in planning and conducting of classes and provides nutrition information and technical support to staff as needed and according to approved NE Plan.
• Develops high-risk counseling guidelines as needed and in conjunction with WIC Director if RD, or assists with development of nutrition education lessons and materials.
• Assures that appropriate forms, materials, and supplies are available at site in adequate supplies to conduct WIC clinic activities.
• Plans, implements, monitors, and evaluates program services in collaboration with WIC Director and other WIC Program staff.
• Completes all required trainings when needed and keeps documentation, to include uploading certificates of completion, up to date in TRAIN.
• Prepares physical facility for WIC clinic and sets up lab supplies and equipment.
• Sets up hemoglobinometer according to manufacturer’s instructions. Notifies Team Lead or designee if there is a problem with the machine.
• Performs blood tests on women, children, and infants nine months and older at certification to determine hemoglobin levels following Guidelines for Nutrition Assessment and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Cleans and organizes physical facility and workspace after clinic. Puts away supplies and equipment. Cleans and disinfects scale, client waiting areas, toys and work area at the end of each day.
• Completes WIC reporting and other administrative duties as requested by WIC Director, Assistant WIC Director, and/or Team Lead.
  
  

Communication and Cultural Competency

• Maintains current knowledge of WCCHD and community resources and make appropriate client referrals. Facilitates reciprocal referrals.
• Works as part of a team with other WIC and WCCHD staff in response to client needs and as an advocate for clients/patients within the public health care system.
• Provides concise, relevant, and sound individual nutrition counseling.
• Explains correct food benefits usage to clients, including PIN requirement, shopping list, first and last dates to spend, security and care of WIC. EBT card, allowable foods, importance of presenting WIC EBT card at each clinic visit, and procedure for reporting a lost WIC EBT card.
• Conducts group nutrition education classes using approved lesson plans as outlined in the current Nutrition Education Plan.
• Conducts high-risk counseling as needed, if RD, or assists RD with high-risk counseling when appropriate.
• Provides direct client nutrition services to other Health District clients and/or consultation to nursing staff.
• Promotes breastfeeding to all pregnant WIC participants; maintains knowledge of guidelines set forth in current Breastfeeding Plan.
• Maintains knowledge of WIC breastfeeding peer counselor program and breastfeeding resources; makes appropriate referrals.
• Participates in community outreach activities (must participate in at least 1 every 6 months unless otherwise directed).
  
  

Leadership and Systems Thinking

• Acts as a Certifying Authority by certifying nutrition risk conditions and prescribing supplemental foods primarily at headquarter site, but works at other sites when staffing dictates or as requested by the WIC Director.
• Maintains a basic working knowledge of all aspects of WIC Customer Service Representative (CSR) job description (i.e., perform client information entry into TXIN, check WIC EBT Card inventory, make appointments, issue food benefits, weigh/measure participants, perform finger sticks for hemoglobin checks etc.) in the absence of or to assist CSR when needed.
• Maintains thorough working knowledge of state and local WIC policies and procedures and WCCHD policies and business practices
• Maintains thorough working knowledge of TXIN system.
• Assists WIC Director, Assistant WIC Director, and or other Health District staff with the orientation of new staff, students, and volunteers.
• Assists the WCS program as a preceptor and provides training and oversight for new WCS candidates.
  
  

Other

• Maintains organized and orderly work areas.
• Performs related work as assigned.
• May participate on a WCCHD committee or task force.
• In the event of a public health emergency, employees may be called upon to support WCCHD’s response in ways that are outside the usual scope of their job responsibilities. This may involve working hours that are outside the employee’s usual work hours. Employees will not be required to perform duties that are outside of their competence or professional licensure.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in dietetics, food and nutrition, food systems management, food science, or a related field is required.
• Registration as a Dietitian by the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, is preferred.
• Licensure as a Dietitian by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians is preferred.
• Previous experience as a WIC Certifying Authority (CA) is preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is Preferred.
• CPR certified or willingness to obtain certification if not.
• Valid Texas driver’s license and access to reliable transportation to all assigned work locations.
• Selected candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment skills assessment as part of the hiring process, prior to receiving a contingent offer.
• Selected candidates in the Clinical Services Division, Environmental Health Division, and WIC Division, will receive a conditional offer of employment contingent upon the candidate passing a pre-employment-controlled substances screening test. The candidate must be tested and receive a negative result before starting to work.
• All selected candidates are required to pass a background check as a condition of employment.
  
  

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with our without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed without posing a direct threat to health or safety of themselves or others.

• Knowledge of public health essential services.
• Knowledge of state, local, and federal WIC policies.
• Knowledge of current nutrition recommendations for women, infants, and children.
• Ability to work in a collaborative manner; skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships.
• Ability to establish goals and objectives, policies and procedures.
• Ability to prioritize activities and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to provide technical assistance to others.
• Ability to communicate fluently in English.
• Ability to communicate with Spanish-speaking clientele with or without the use of an interpreter.
• Ability to apply rapport building, critical thinking, and goal-setting skills with clients to achieve positive health outcomes.
• Ability to weigh, measure, and obtain finger stick blood samples from women and children.
• Ability to interpret identification, income, and residency information.
• Ability to interpret immunization records.
• Ability to maintain current driver’s license, auto liability insurance, reliable transportation.
• Skill in using a computer, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Professional.
  
  

Environmental Factors: Works mostly in a well-lighted, air-conditioned office. May work in various WCCHD offices around the county and in a variety of community locations. Occasional work activities may be outdoors and, therefore, employee will be exposed to heat and cold. May have extensive contact with the public. May have contact with persons who may be infected with contagious diseases. Certain immunizations and/or TB skin test may be required. Tobacco/vapor-free workplace.

Direct Supervisor of: 0

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Location and Hours: 355 Texas Ave. Round Rock, TX 78664; general hours 8:00 am – 5:30 pm Mon. – Thurs., 8:00am- 12:00pm Fri. Position not eligible for flexible schedule or telecommuting. This position may be subject to travel. Work may require occasional early morning, evening, weekend, and/or holiday hours. Extended hours may be required in the event of a public health emergency.

Job Performance Evaluation: The employee will be evaluated at least annually, but more often if warranted.