Nutrition Educator - WIC

Recognized as one of the best places to work in Southeast Minnesota for three consecutive years, at Olmsted County every role helps to foster a vibrant community where everyone thrives. Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, driving public service excellence and community well-being.

We don’t just offer a job, we offer a career filled with purpose, growth, and fulfillment. Our benefits package ensures your wellbeing, while career advancement opportunities and professional development empower you to reach your full potential.

Join us, and you'll be part of a purpose-driven team where your work truly makes a difference. Together, we build a sustainable, healthy, and welcoming community.

Nature of Work

Under supervision, provides public health nutrition services to individuals and families enrolled in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.  Determines eligibility of WIC applicants and conducts health screening and dietary assessments. Provides nutrition counseling and breastfeeding support to improve the health and nutritional status in the WIC population. Applies evidence-based information and research to advance nutrition practices in WIC. Supports a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workplace.

Examples of Work

• Schedules client visits, screens calls, enrolls clients in the WIC program and provides information to clients by phone, email, and text.
• Gathers nutrition information from clients and conducts health screening including height, weight, and hemoglobin.
• Determines eligibility of clients for WIC program.
• Provides nutrition education and breastfeeding support to WIC clients using participant centered counseling. 
• Documents nutritional services provided according to established guidelines and adheres to federal and state program regulations.
• Identifies risk factors for a high-risk care plan. Assists with the development of care plans for high-risk cases.
• Supports the department during disease outbreaks and emergency situations that may require non-standard work hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Performs administrative support duties for the WIC program.
• Completes additional tasks as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of normal and therapeutic nutrition throughout the life cycle. 
• Knowledge of current and emerging nutrition issues.
• Knowledge of education techniques and principles of human motivation for change.
• Knowledge of the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals.
• Knowledge of blood borne pathogens, universal precautions, and ability to implement them in clinics located in community settings.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Skill in the use of computers and technology.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Skill in conducting health and nutrition screening tests and assessments according to standard procedures.
• Ability to work with a diverse population.
• Ability to work effectively with interpreters.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with others.
• Ability to effectively organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to support a quality improvement culture by growing knowledge, identifying performance improvement opportunities, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.

Persons with disabilities: the above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in nutritional sciences or dietetics.

OR

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in health sciences or family and consumer sciences with applicable coursework in nutrition. Documentation required for minimum coursework evaluation as required by Minnesota WIC Program requirements (Download PDF reader).

OR

Registered Nurse licensed by the Minnesota Board of Nursing and two (2) years of experience in a maternal child health or nutrition program.

OR

Nutrition Dietetic Technician, registered (NDTR) registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Regular and reliable attendance is a necessary component of job/position. Individuals required to use County vehicles and equipment must have a valid driver’s license and be free of any major traffic violations for the last three (3) years.

Desirable Qualifications:

Ability to communicate fluently in Spanish or Somali in addition to English.

About Olmsted County

Mission: Building a sustainable foundation for a safe, healthy, and welcoming community through public service excellence. Vision: A vibrant community where everyone thrives. Values: Thoughtful, Principled, Inclusive, Service Focused, Collaborative

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