WIC Nutritionist, Bear Creek

If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health.

About Harris County Public Health:

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

• Transparency- We share information openly and honestly so that staff, partners, and the community understand our actions and the reasons behind them.
• Integrity- Our actions reflect strong ethical principles, ensuring we remain trustworthy, accountable, and consistent with our mission.
• Respect- We foster a supportive environment by valuing diverse perspectives, listening intentionally, and treating people with dignity in every interaction.
• Impact - We focus our efforts on activities that improve health, reduce disparities, and create meaningful, measurable outcomes for the communities we serve.
• Collaboration- We actively partner across teams, disciplines, organizations, and communities to align our efforts toward common goals.

This is a grant-funded position.

Position Overview:

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutritionist is responsible for determining WIC Program eligibility of applicants, providing counseling and nutrition education to clients individually or in groups, assigning food package prescriptions, evaluating the need for special formulas and participating in quality assurance activities on a monthly basis. At times the Nutritionist will also evaluate clients for income and residency requirements, perform laboratory evaluations of growth and iron status and do data entry and food benefit issuance.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Determines WIC program eligibility of applicants according to Federal, State and Local policies based on income, anthropometrics, blood iron level, and nutritional risk
• Provides nutrition counseling and breastfeeding promotion and support to low and moderate risk WIC clients
• Prescribes supplemental food packages, assesses need for breastfeeding support, breast pumps or supplies, and issues in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Assists the Site Supervisor with supervision and recommends improvement in customer service, site function and clinic flow
• Evaluates and documents the need for Non-Contract formulas requested by WIC clients according to policies
• Conducts community outreach and provides appropriate referrals to clients needing services not provided by WIC
• Participates in quality assurance activities on a monthly basis

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition, Dietetics or related field

Licensure/Certifications:

• Valid Texas Driver's License

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Excellent communication skills (verbal & written)
• Ability to demonstrate good judgment when needed to resolve client concerns
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environment
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information
• Ability to identify customer needs and expectations and respond in a timely and effective manner

Core Competencies:

• Data Analytics and Assessment Skills:Ability to use data to analyze community health needs and support decisions that improve community health outcomes.

• Communication Skills:This competency focuses on using clear and effective communication to engage audiences, address misinformation, and build trust, supporting informed decisions and stronger public health outcomes.

• Health Advancement Skills:This competency focuses on applying principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion to public health, addressing systemic barriers, and promoting fair access to resources for healthier communities.

• Community Partnership Skills:This competency focuses on collaborating with communities to address the systems and policies affecting health, fostering engagement, shared ownership, and sustainable improvements in well-being.

• Public Health Science Skills:This competency focuses on using public health science and evidence-based approaches to develop and improve policies and programs, ensuring effective delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services.

Language:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position | grant-funded position
• Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:30pm, and one Saturday per month
• Must be willing to flex work hours when required, including weekends
• Able to travel within Harris County as needed

Work Environment:

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands:

• This is an active role with a high level of movement throughout the facility; Some duties would require the ability to lift up to 20 pounds. This job requires bending and standing for long periods of time.

Work Location:

• Harris County Public Health: WIC Bear Creek Clinic - 16233 Clay Rd, Houston, TX 77084.