Requisition No : 830396

Agency : Department of Health

Working Title : OPS FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER - 64914086

Pay Plan : Temp

Position Number : 64914086

Salary : $18.00 - $20.00 per hour

Posting Closing Date : 06 / 23 / 2024

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64914086 OPS Family Support Worker

Job posting category : Open Competitive

This OPS Family Support Worker will represent the Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.

This position is anticipated to work 16-20 hours per week. This Breastfeeding Peer Counselor position counsels WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers on breastfeeding related issues.

Works as a paraprofessional counseling WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mother on breastfeeding related issues in the clinic and by telephone or in an alternate location determined by the local WIC agency.

Available to WIC clients outside of normal work hours to answer breastfeeding related phone calls. Receives a list of WIC clients and routinely makes contacts with all clients assigned.

• Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to WIC mothers to help them to successfully establish breastfeeding, overcome barriers to breastfeeding and prevent and handle common breastfeeding problems or concerns.
• Refers clients with special breastfeeding problems and / or concerns to the Designated Breastfeeding Expert. Assists with the facilitation of breastfeeding classes, support groups or special projects.
• Recognizes paraprofessional limitations and makes appropriate referrals to other health care providers (breastfeeding, nutrition, nursing, medical).
• Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC clients, maintaining confidentiality.
• Works closely with local WIC agency and Healthy Start. Reads books / materials on breastfeeding that are provided. Assists in providing breastfeeding supplies and / or resources to WIC breastfeeding mothers.
• Understands WIC eligibility criteria and programmatic requirements in order to answer basic questions about WIC and make appropriate referrals.
• Attends monthly meetings to review ongoing client caseloads.
• Travel within the county is required and will be reimbursed according to the state policy.
• Attends breastfeeding updates, workshops, and conferences as required per Supervisor.
• Attends & participates in staff / development, training, in-services & regularly scheduled departmental staff meetings.

Prepares & submits weekly EARs reports, biweekly timesheets & travel reimbursement, according to established format & procedures.

All timesheets, EARs, mandatory trainings, and travel documents are completed and submitted accurately and by the established deadline without supervision.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Knowledge of basic breastfeeding practices.
• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding and have a desire and ability to assist mothers from low-income communities.
• Has breastfed at least one baby with minimal or no supplementation for at least 6 months within the last 10 years or is a current breastfeeding mother and wants to help other mothers enjoy a positive breastfeeding experience.
• Knowledge of and ability to promote breastfeeding benefits.
• Knowledge of principles, practices & procedures.
• Knowledge of correct spelling, punctuation & grammar usage.
• Knowledge of standard business formats & styles for letters & business forms.
• Skill in typing and operating a personal computer.
• Skill in professional telephone etiquette.
• Ability to handle telephone calls in a courteous & effective manner.
• Ability to speak, read, write & communicate effectively.
• Ability to follow office procedures & practices.
• Ability to plan, organize & coordinate work assignments & communicate effectively verbally & in writing.
• Ability to establish & maintain effective working relationship with others.
• Ability to record information accurately, file, and maintain records.
• Ability to plan, organize, manage time, meet deadlines, and work independently.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in the workplace.
• Ability to speak the English and Spanish language fluently

Qualifications :

Incumbent must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.

Incumbent must possess a valid Florida driver’s license and have a motor vehicle to carry out these duties.

This incumbent in this position must have experience with breastfeeding.

The breastfeeding peer counselor is recruited and hired from within the WIC target population and functions in a "peer" capacity.

Must be available outside of normal clinic hours - evenings on weekdays and on weekends.

The incumbent must have the ability to speak the English and Spanish language fluently.

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 :

Arcadia, FL 34266

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida :

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available :

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements. Consult with People First and / or the serving HR office)
• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• 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.

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.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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.

Last updated : 2024-06-10