This position is budgeted for $21.50 per hour and is non-negotiable.

The SDSU Research Foundation Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is the largest WIC agency in San Diego County, with approximately 80 employees providing a variety of nutrition services to over 26,000 participants monthly. The WIC program is a safety net program that aims to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care for residents of San Diego County.

Under the supervision of the Area Supervisor, the Nutrition Assistant will determine eligibility, provide nutrition education classes and counseling services for WIC’s lower risk program participants.

The WIC Nutrition Assistant is responsible for but not limited to:

NUTRITION CARE AND COUNSELING 95%

Provides general information about WIC services; screens potential clients for program eligibility, counsels and refers participants as needed.  Responsible for providing general nutrition education services and facilitates group and individual education sessions; provides breastfeeding support.  Obtains nutrition and diet histories of low risk participants and develops nutrition care plans; refers high risk participants to the Registered Dietitian. Provides orientation information regarding benefit usage to new participants; issues food benefits. Documents pertinent information in the WIC WISE system, schedules appointments and provides general customer service.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES AS ASSIGNED 5%

Participates in staff meetings and program planning as needed

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of the WIC Program and community nutrition with emphasis on maternal, infant and child needs
• Knowledge of basic nutrition theory and practice
• Knowledge of basic computer skills and effective use of Word, Excel and Outlook, ability to enter data with a high degree of accuracy
• Ability to handle a broad range of interpersonal contacts and handle highly sensitive and confidential documents and information
• Ability to meet deadlines, and be well organized and detail oriented; possess good judgment and common sense
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to maintain good interpersonal interactions with clients and co-workers, individually and within a group setting
• Ability to organize, lead and/or facilitate group discussions/classes
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines while working in a fast paced environment with defined time constraints
• Understand and follow posted work rules and procedures
• Ability to relate well to others within the WIC project environment.
• Ability to display sensitivity to ethnically and culturally diverse individuals
• Ability to travel throughout San Diego County and work at various WIC offices

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED
• California WIC Certification as a WIC Nutrition Assistant (WNA)
• Experience working with ethnically and culturally diverse individuals, communities and organizations

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Previous experience providing nutrition counseling

Additional Applicant Information

• Candidate must reside in California and live in a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets Employer/Title IX employer.