Nutrition Assistant (Limited Term)

Clackamas County employees work to serve the public and enrich our community. In that spirit, we pledge to hold ourselves to these standards at all times in our interactions with customers and one another:

· Service · Professionalism · Integrity · Respect · Individual accountability · Trust

By incorporating these values into our daily routines, we can better serve our customers, ourselves and our projects. We’re always looking to improve. That’s the Clackamas County SPIRIT.

Clackamas County Core Values

Clackamas County is committed to building a community where people thrive, have a sense of safety, connection, and belonging, so that everyone is honored and celebrated for the richness in diversity they bring.
We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and lived experience to apply.

This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on April 17, 2023.

Annual Pay Range: $42,719.05 - $53,760.69

Hourly Pay Range: $21.907203 - $27.569584

Salary offers will be made within the posted pay range and will be based on a candidate's experience (paid or unpaid) that is directly relevant to the position.

Clackamas County proudly offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including competitive wages, cost-of-living adjustments, merit increases (for eligible employees), and a robust sick and vacation plan for regular status employees.

We encourage and support employee health and wellness by offering, health and wellness classes and events, and alternative care benefits, so you can customize your wellness needs to fit your lifestyle.

Employee benefits become effective the first of the month following an employee’s date of hire.

Attractive benefits package and incentives for employees in regular status positions are detailed below.

Generous paid time off package, including:

• 8 hours of sick accrued per month
• 12 hours of vacation accrued per month
• 10 paid holidays and 1 personal day per year

Other Benefits:

• Other retirement Savings Options that allow for additional retirement funds savings, including an option to contribute a portion of employee earnings on a pre or post-tax basis to a 457b Deferred Compensation Plan
• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP):
  • Employer paid 6% PERS retirement contribution (The county currently pays the employee’s share of the retirement contribution.)
  • OPSRP members get vested after five years of contributions or when they reach age 65
• A variety of additional optional benefits (see links below for additional information)
• Robust EAP and wellness programs, including gym discounts and wellness education classes
• A Choice of Medical Plans that include chiropractic coverage, alternative care, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• Employer paid 6% PERS retirement contribution (The county currently pays the employee’s share of the retirement contribution.)
• OPSRP members get vested after five years of contributions or when they reach age 65
• Longevity pay
• A Choice of Dental Plans

This is a full time County position represented by the Employees' Association.

Employees' Association (EA) Full Time Benefits

Learn More About Benefits

Clackamas County's Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is seeking a Limited-Term Nutrition Assistant to join our team. WIC focuses on nutrition education, breastfeeding support, health and diet screening, growth monitoring, and program referrals for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to 5 years of age. WIC serves families from many different cultural and ethnic traditions, languages, backgrounds and abilities. It is designed to promote positive health outcomes, strengthen life course nutrition and health, and reduce health disparities in the populations served.
The Nutrition Assistant will provide participant-centered nutrition and breastfeeding information, education, and counseling to WIC participants. In addition, this position assesses participant nutrition status and eligibility for the WIC Supplemental Food Program.
Clackamas County is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve. In that spirit, we encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and experience, including those in recovery, or who identify as having lived experience. Bilingual candidates are also encouraged to apply.

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• High School Diploma or GED equivalency.
• A minimum of one (1) year experience working in a healthcare, public health, or a community-based setting (including the military) or life experiences that are relevant for this position.
• Per the Oregon Health Authority, (OAR 333-091-1010 & OAR 333-019-1030), this position is subject to the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine requirement. Prior to the start of employment, the selected candidate must provide proof of full vaccination or have an approved medical or religious exception in place with the County as a qualification of employment.
• Driving may be necessary for County business. For position(s) with occasional/incidental driving, incumbents must possess a valid driver's license. Accommodation requests for an acceptable alternative method of transportation will be reviewed on an individual basis in compliance with State and Federal legislation. For position(s) with regular driving, incumbent(s) must also possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the County's driving policy
• Customer service experience.
• Must pass a criminal history check which may include national or state fingerprint records check
• Ability and demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with co-workers, clients and/or the public.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Must possess within six months of hire, an Authorized Competent Professional Authority (CPA) at Paraprofessional level as certified by State of Oregon WIC Program. On the job training is provided to meet this qualification.
• Must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. Learn more about the County's drug testing policy.
• Proficient computer skills.

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

• Personal experience accessing WIC services.
• A representative of Black, Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
• Bilingual fluency in both English AND Russian or Ukrainian. (Please note: Language fluency means being capable of using a language easily and accurately. Being “bilingual" means using or able to use two languages with equal fluency.)
• Experience screening, counseling and providing information or education for WIC participants.
• Personal experience with breastfeeding, breastfeeding training, or other exposure/interest in providing breastfeeding support.
• Education or experience in any of the following: public health, healthcare, nutrition, and racial health equity.

• For Veterans qualified for Veteran’s Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

1. Conducts nutrition assessments and provides nutrition counseling to clients; screens for health and nutritional risk factors and special nutritional needs of women, infants and children; develops individual nutrition plans determined by client’s abilities, lifestyle, budget and culture; refers clients to other services; advocates breastfeeding and provides breastfeeding related assessment, education and referrals.

2. Determines and certifies client eligibility for the WIC federal supplemental food program; screens clients for income and residency eligibility; counsels eligible clients on program compliance, procedures and services; determines, issues and explain food benefits.

3. Provides nutrition and breastfeeding education to WIC clients; plans and develops nutrition education experiences and activities; teaches groups on nutrition-related health issues, feeding guidelines, shopping, food preparation and storage; plans and teaches WIC breastfeeding classes; produces nutrition educational materials, handouts and newsletters for clients.

4. Performs diagnostic procedures to screen for nutritional health problems; administers blood hemoglobin tests; weighs, measures, and interprets growth charts for pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children; enters data into state data system.

5. Documents individual client nutrition plans according to federal, state and local requirements; documents client’s health progress; schedules follow-up appointments; refers high-risk clients to Nutritionist.

Working knowledge of: Recommended food requirements for children, infants and pregnant/lactating women; techniques for storing and preparing food; comparative costs and nutritional values of various foods; interviewing and record keeping techniques; rules and eligibility guidelines for WIC program; professional medical charting techniques; basic math and English grammar; medical records documentation procedures; office procedures, practices and equipment, including computer operation.

Some knowledge of: Principles, techniques and practices of nutrition; methods to identify nutritional problems; community resources; principles and techniques of motivational interviewing and public speaking.

Skill to: Identify nutritional needs associated with low income, cultural influences, life stages, and medical status; use effective client centered counseling and interview techniques; screen clients for income and residency eligibility; interpret policies, practices and requirements applicable to WIC program, including rules and regulations of eligibility based on health and nutrition criteria, and life stage category; determines client eligibility for WIC program; counsels eligible clients on program compliance, procedures and services; provide health and nutrition information based on best practice; enter concise chart notes; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; deliver effective oral presentations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, clients, providers, agencies and other social services professionals, and the public; enter, retrieve and maintain accurate and systematic records and data; use electronic record and food instrument production software to deliver program benefits; conduct basic nutritional assessments; use scales, measuring devices and simple laboratory equipment.

This position works 37.5 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Friday. Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended.

This position is eligible for hybrid on-site/telework subject to the Clackamas County Teleworking Policy and based on the Department’s business needs. The exact amount of on-site/telework and schedule will be discussed with the hiring manager during time of offer. Telework locations cannot be located outside of Oregon or Washington. Washington residents must perform 50% of their time on-site at Clackamas County.

Clackamas County is in a prime location in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and is recognized nationally as one of the most livable areas in the United States. Located on the southern edge of the City of Portland and extending to the top of Mt. Hood, Clackamas County is part of a thriving region in the Northwest. It has a population of about 420,000 residents.

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ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The health of a community is a key indicator about its quality of life. At Clackamas County Public Health, we are committed to improving the quality of life in Clackamas County by offering services and engaging in activities that protect and promote the health of its residents.

Public Health's Mission

Promote and assist individuals, families & communities to be healthy, safe and thrive. By working with our communities, Public Health assures conditions that:

• Prepare for emergencies
• Prevent injury & disease
• Protect food, water & air
• Promote health

Public Health is a Division of the Health, Housing, and Human Services (H3S) Department.

Learn more about Clackamas County Public Health

Clackamas County only accepts online applications.

Help With Your Application:

Application Process

Help with the Application

If you have any questions or issues you may contact the Department of Human Resources at 503-655-8459 or e-mail us. Our office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (closed on Fridays).

HOW TO CLAIM VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

Request Veterans' Preference

Learn more about the County's Veterans' Preference

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Clackamas County does not offer visa sponsorships. Once a job applicant has accepted a position, they will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States prior to their first day.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the Department of Human Resources prior to the recruitment close date. You may request an accommodation during the online application process.

Lindsay White, Recruiter
[email protected]