Nutritionist | PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION CONSULTANT III (SPECIALIST)

The Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) has been part of the nation’s nutrition safety net for 50 years.

Extensive research has found WIC to be a cost-effective investment that leads to healthier infants, more nutritious diets, health care for children, and subsequently higher academic achievement for students. WIC helps families receive healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other community services.

Like other divisions within the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), WIC builds its program by addressing social determinants of health. WIC impacts the life course by promoting health practices that can ultimately improve life outcomes often experienced by vulnerable communities.

WIC serves babies and children up to age five, pregnant women, and new mothers. Dads, grandparents, foster parents of young children, and working families are welcome at WIC too!

Monthly, nearly one million WIC participants can find support at one of 84 local agencies which offer services at more than 500 sites throughout California. WIC participants can redeem their food benefits at approximately 3,800 grocers that are authorized to serve WIC families.

In 2019 - 2020, the WIC Division implemented an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card called the California WIC Card and a new management information system known as WIC WISE, that allows WIC participants to be served more efficiently. The CDPH WIC Division works continuously to improve its operations and system to better support families and its partners.

About the CDPH/WIC Family

Over 200 state staff work at CDPH’s WIC Division, headquartered at the Natomas campus in Sacramento. WIC is committed to a hybrid workforce and the state provides a modest stipend for those who fully and partially work from home. Staff are provided with a computer or laptop, camera, and large screen to conduct their work. We build our unit teams virtually and maintain contact with stakeholders by being on camera to solidify our relationships.

The WIC Division is led by senior managers administering a Local Policy and Health Programs Branch, Local Services Branch, Vendor Management Branch, Communications, Food, and Vendor Policy Branch, Data and Integrity Branch, Systems Integration Branch, and the Operations team. Through these branches, our support staff, analysts, specialists, researchers, and nutritionists serve the needs of WIC families, support our program partners, and ensure the California WIC Program is administered appropriately and effectively.

The CDPH is not currently an E-Verify employer.

“The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.”

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by advancing the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. As an employee of the Local Services Branch, the candidate serves as part of a team that provides monitoring, training, support for and collaboration with regional local agencies that serve Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program participants.  

The candidate works under the direction of the Chief, Southern Section, Staff Services Manager II (SSM II), the Public Health Nutrition Consultant III (PHNC III) (Specialist) serves as a highly skilled nutrition and program services professional responsible for assessing the effectiveness and quality of nutrition and program services provided by WIC local agencies to pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children; and evaluating the implementation of federal and state policies by WIC local agencies. Leads the development, coordination, implementation and evaluation of nutrition and program services to meet the needs of participants, as well as, complex, comprehensive state-wide nutrition, breastfeeding and training campaigns, projects and initiatives. The WIC local agency caseload assignment may be statewide and requires up to 35% state-wide travel with overnight stays.

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Travel may be required for this position. Reimbursement for travel takes into consideration an employee’s designated headquarters, as reflected in the duty statement, and is subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION CONSULTANT III (SPECIALIST)

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

1. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
2. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential issues
3. Ability to communicate effectively with staff at various levels, external agencies, and the general public
4. Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills including reviewing and editing documents

Experience In: 

1. Conducting program monitoring and compliance 
2. Working with state and federal policies and regulations 
3. Working with different levels of management, staff and stakeholders 
4. Managing, prioritizing, and meeting multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced work environment 
5. Working as a project lead 

Knowledge Of: 

1. State and federal policies and regulations as it related to the WIC program 
2. Project methodology 
3. Information gathering technique

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=481398

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

About California Department of Public Health

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.The Human Resources Division (HRD) partners with CDPH’s programs and management to provide guidance and consultative services on HR matters that are necessary for the Department to carry out its mission to deliver quality public health services.

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