Nutrition Counselor

Minimum Education

·       High School Diploma or GED High School Diploma or GED with 3 years experience in WIC or other public health setting (Required)  Or

·       Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Community Health, Dietetics, Health Sciences, or a related health field (Required)

Minimum Work Experience

·       2 years’ experience with High School Diploma or GED with 2-3 years of experience in WIC or other public health settings. (Preferred) Or

·       0 years’ experience with a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Community Health, Dietetics, Health Sciences, or a related health field. This educational background qualifies the individual to function as a CPPA, capable of delivering participant-centered education, assessing nutrition risks, and supporting individualized care (Preferred)

Required Skills/Knowledge

·       Demonstrated proficiency with business software (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite-Word, Excel, Outlook and/or PowerPoint preferred). Ability to learn and apply new technology and skills

·       Detail oriented, ability to multi-task, and excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

·       Excellent customer service, time management skills and ability to follow through

·       Ability to work well independently in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.

·       Complete WIC para-professional competency training with a passing grade upon hiring within 90 days

Required Licenses and Certifications

·       Must complete State Agency-required training with a passing grade on an administered exam upon completion of training. 90 Days (Required)

Functional Accountabilities

Eligibility Screening & Certification Support

·       Conduct preliminary screening of applicants to determine WIC eligibility (e.g., income, residency, categorical requirements).

• Gather and document anthropometric and health data (e.g., height, weight, hemoglobin) to assist in nutrition risk assessment.

Nutrition Risk Assessment & Documentation
 

• Identify and document low-risk nutrition concerns under supervision of a CPA.

• Accurately enter participant data into WIC MIS systems and maintain up-to-date records.

Nutrition & Breastfeeding Education
 

• Provide individualized and group education to low-risk participants on nutrition, healthy eating, and breastfeeding basics.

• Tailor educational messages using approved WIC materials and participant-centered counseling techniques (e.g., VENA approach).

Referrals & Care Coordination
 

• Refer participants to WIC nutritionists, breastfeeding staff, or other CPAs for high-risk concerns.

• Connect families to external health and social services as appropriate (e.g., Medicaid, SNAP, housing support).

Benefit Issuance & Follow-Up
 

• Issue WIC food benefits to participants using agency protocols.

• Schedule follow-up appointments and ensure participants receive continuous care.

Program Integrity & Compliance
 

• Uphold the highest standards of honesty and ethical conduct when reviewing participant documents and determining program eligibility.

• Ensure all documentation, including participant notes, eligibility assessments, and appointment logs, is accurate, complete, and truthful.

• Never falsify or alter records, participant information, or eligibility criteria for any reason.

• Maintain strict confidentiality of participant information and comply with HIPAA and WIC program privacy standards.

• Avoid any behavior that may constitute fraud, misuse of benefits, or misrepresentation of participant needs.

• Participate in ongoing training to stay current with federal, state, and local WIC policies and procedures.

Professional Communication & Workplace Conduct
 

• Work collaboratively with CPAs, nutrition coordinator, WIC Director, and other team members to support participant outcomes.

• Maintain a respectful, collaborative, and professional demeanor in interactions with coworkers, supervisors, and community partners.

• Communicate clearly and effectively in both verbal and written formats, including proper grammar and tone in emails and documentation.

• Respond to emails, voicemails, and referrals in a timely manner to ensure continuity of care and uphold WIC program standards.

• Represent the WIC program with professionalism in all internal and external communications.

• This position may include additional responsibilities as deemed necessary by the WIC Director. Employees are expected to demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to support the needs of the program. Duties and tasks may be adjusted based on program priorities and operational needs.

Physical Requirements and Work Conditions
 

• Lifting and Carrying: Must be able to lift and carry up to 20 pounds without assistance on a regular basis (e.g., transporting supplies, boxes of formula, or educational materials).

• Mobility: Ability to move freely between offices, clinics, and outreach event locations, including walking, standing, and occasional bending or reaching.

• Computer Use: Must be able to sit for extended periods while using a computer, participating in virtual meetings, or completing documentation and reports.

• Travel: Occasional local travel required between clinic sites or to community events; must be able to operate a personal vehicle if needed.

• Environmental Conditions: Work may be performed in a typical office or clinic setting, with occasional exposure to varying temperatures or crowded event environments.

• Flexibility and Task Assignment: Must be able to adapt to changing priorities and accept assignments as needed at the discretion of the WIC Director and other clinic leadership, which may include cross-coverage, special projects, or support at alternate clinic sites.

Organizational Accountabilities

Organizational Accountabilities (Staff)/ Organizational Commitment/Identification 

• Anticipates and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance