Nutritionist Associate

Title: Nutritionist Associate

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate II

Hiring Range: $14.24 - $15.75

Pay Band: 2

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: Cent Shen-August/Staunton

Agency Website: VDH.VIRGINIA.GOV

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Responsibilities include scheduling WIC appointments, maintaining WIC records, compiling WIC reports, interviewing participants to obtain necessary financial information to determine eligibility for the WIC program; instructing participants about program guidelines; determining nutritional status/eligibility program services within program guidelines by assessing dietary intake, anthropometric and hematological values and medical history, facilitating participant goal setting, providing participant counseling specific to individual nutritional needs, making appropriate referrals that my include high risk counseling referrals to the Registered Dietitian, prescribing appropriate food benefits; assisting with breastfeeding education.

VDH offers a competitive compensation package in addition to an employer paid retirement, employer-paid life insurance, employer paid malpractice protection, employer-subitized health insurance, pre-tax 457/401 (a) deferred compensation plan with employer cash match up to $40/month, pre-tax medical reimbursement and child/elder care reimbursement plans, employer-paid short term and long term disability plan, annual leave, sick leave, and paid holidays.
This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the WIC program for a one year period ending September 30, 2024. The availability of funding is scheduled for review annually and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of the WIC program, current therapeutic diets, principles of nutrition, nutrition standards and their application to public health, current breastfeeding principles and practices in their application to public health; current breastfeeding principles and practices in their application to public health , general office procedures and skilled use of the computer, counseling techniques including motivational interviewing and participant centered approaches; work effectively as part of a team with diverse participants, staff members, community partners and health care providers. Ability to promote breastfeeding as the preferred infant feeding method, interview participants to obtain financial and demographic information, calculate and compile data, obtain hematological and anthropometric values, medical history from participants; provide nutrition education, interpret assessment data to develop a care plan; facilitate participant goal setting; identify and make referrals; communicate in a professional manner both verbally and in writing. This candidate must be willing to obtain a Competent Professional Authority status (CPA) within 6 months of hire.

Additional Considerations

Training, job experience, or coursework in Nutrition, Dietetics, food services, or a related area preferred.
Experience obtaining blood samples/finger sticks, and taking heights and weights of individuals

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and
pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening
Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date
for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this
application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

Name: Angie Mueller

Phone: 540-332-7830

Email: angie.mueller@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.