WIC Buddy Program-Part Time

Requisition: 2024-07808
Location: 1331 Helen Hwy, Cleveland, Georgia, 30528
Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 8-5pm; Tuesday 8-7 pm & Friday 8-12 pm
Job Code: T6001 Pay Grade: G

Internal applicants only, please.

Who we are. We protect lives. The Georgia Department of Public Health is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to proudly protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities statewide. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing the State of Georgia for responding to disasters.

What we offer. As a member of the Georgia Department of Public Health team, you will join a passionate group of individuals who are dedicated to making an impact. No matter your role, you will individually contribute to protecting the lives of all Georgians while receiving a wide range of benefits, so you can:

Make a Professional Impact – Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play
Enjoy Workplace Flexibility – Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and Georgia Residents
Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team– Collaborative and inclusive way of working where employees share ideas and leverage collective strengths
Achieve Career Longevity – Countless opportunities for continuous learning/development that support a long-term career
Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture – Unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role
Feel Pride in Where you Work – Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like you

As an WIC Buddy Program Specialist within the District Two Public Health Department at the District Two, Georgia Department of Public Health, you will join a dedicated group of public health professionals that help support the overall mission and vision of protecting lives of Georgian residents in a variety of ways.District 2 Public Health serves 13 counties in northeast Georgia, including Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White counties. One of the fastest growing regions in the state, District 2 includes rural and urban communities with diverse public health challenges.

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package that includes employee retirement plan, deferred compensation, 13 paid holidays, vacation & sick leave, dental, vision, long term care, and life insurance.

Requirements

Reporting to the designated Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) local agency staff, the WIC Buddy Specialist leads the local agency’s WIC Buddy Program activities. The WIC Buddy Specialist manages the overall local agency specific duties related to the program, such as promotion of the WIC Buddy Program, matching participants as they are enrolled in the program, distributing, and collecting buddy consent forms and communicating with WIC participants regarding their participation in the WIC Buddy Program. The WIC Buddy Specialist supports the monitoring of set program performance measures and works with the Local Agency’s Breastfeeding Program Coordinator, Nutrition Services Director and/or designee to implement project reinforcement and/or improvement plans.

Additional duties, but not limited too:

Monitors and coordinates the local agency activities of the WIC Buddy Program
Markets and promotes the WIC Buddy Program
Recruits WIC participants to participate in the WIC Buddy Program
Actively monitors the clinic’s on-site list/daily schedule to recruit eligible participants
Informs WIC staff and participants about the WIC Buddy Program to include the overall program expectations and promotional activities
Coordinates and schedules paired WIC Buddy connections
Distributes and collects WIC Buddy consent forms
Promotes the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (PC) program and refers participants to the PC Program
Participates on assigned committees and workgroups, as needed
Utilizes reports to promote, recruit and maintain Buddy Program activities
Assesses WIC Buddy matching criteria to identify potential WIC Buddy pairs
Maintains regular contact with each WIC Buddy pair according to their preference
Manage and monitors the local agency’s Georgia WIC Buddy Tracker to include updating WIC Buddy participants matching criteria, dates of contacts with WIC Buddy pairs, and documentation of food package type
Completes quarterly Buddy Program Reports
Participates in Buddy Program meetings and/or calls
Assists local and state agency with identifying barriers and effective solutions to enhance engagement in all components of the WIC Buddy Program project

Qualifications

High school Diploma, or GED + one year competency as a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
Completing of the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum Level 1 & 2
Has one or more of the following skills and/or experience:

Caseload management
Counseling skills
Supporting mother-baby dyad
Breastfeeding promotion
Developing, implementing, and facilitating training
Organizational skills
1. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams etc.)
  1. Knowledge of GA-WIC policies and procedures

Preferred Qualifications:

Two years at an accredited college or university with at least fifteen (15) credit hours in a social service-related field
Expertise with social marketing campaigns, management of professional social media platforms and social media analytics
Experience with data collection and data management
Experience with the Peer Counselor Database System (PCDB)
Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills
Ability to coach others to set priorities.
Strong meeting planning and facilitation skills
Analytical skills with ability to create relevant reports for a variety of stakeholders
Able to work effectively in a high stress, changing environment
Bilingual Skillset

To be considered for employment at District 2 Public Health you must complete an online application. This job application can be found at www.dph.georgia.gov. Click on "About DPH" and then "Careers", locate position then click "Apply" to begin your application. Please make sure you have selected the specific job you are interested in and qualified for. You will receive an email or telephone call if you are selected to participate in the interview process. Please do not send hard copies of application materials. All information can be uploaded to the online system.

Applications must include an email address and daytime phone number where applicant can be reached. Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner and leaders encourages all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being.

The use of wellness breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and assist employees in meeting their wellness goals. A maximum of 30 minutes in a given workday may be used to engage in wellness activities, generally in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.

The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal records check (fingerprinting). In accordance with Georgia's Drug Free Workplace Act, it has been determined that certain positions warrant pre-employment drug testing.

As an employee of D2PH, in the event of an identified emergency you may be required, as a term and condition of employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

District 2 Public Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For more information regarding employment with District 2 Public Health please visit our website at www.phdistrict2.org.

Date Posted: 04/12/2024
Job Reference: 2024-07808
Organization: District 2 County Position, District 2 - Hall County WIC
Location: Hall County -Gainesville, GA
Category: Project/Program Management

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