Requisition No: 838115
Agency: Department of Health
Working Title: OPS DIETETIC TECHNICIAN - 64857454
Pay Plan: Temp
Position Number: 64857454
Salary: $17.00 per hour
Posting Closing Date: 10/04/2024
Total Compensation Estimator Tool
Open Competitive

Your Specific Responsibilities:
This is a para-professional position for the St. Johns WIC Agency. This position is located in St. Johns County. All work is carried out under the supervision of the Public Health Nutrition Program Director. The employee in this position is required to work under the direction of the professional staff. The employee will be expected to foster teamwork and assist staff when clinic staffing is short. The employee is responsible for good communication of all program issues with their supervisor and the WIC Coordinator. The employee will be required to satisfactorily complete the State of Florida Nutrition Training Series. The employee must be able to work with all clients in a fair and impartial manner. The employee will support and promote excellent customer service. Compliance with all standards associated with this position is required, along with adherance to security, integerity and confidentiality regulations, policies and procedures related to information under the direct control of this position. The incumbent in this position is responsible for the integrity and confidentiality of the data sets under his/her control. The incumbent of this position will come to work and exhibit an attitude of friendliness and eager customer service towards all participants and act respectfully and courteously to fellow employees and program participants.

Counsels WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by telephone and/or clinic visits at scheduled intervals determined by the local WIC program. Cross trained in anthropometric and hematological health data collection and will perform on prenatal participants receiving breastfeeding education and counseling in the WIC clinic. Receives a caseload of WIC clients and makes routine contacts with all clients assigned according to agency protocol. Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers. This includes at a minimum telling them about the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breastfeeding. She also helps mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns. Is available outside usual 8 to 5 working hours to new mothers who are having breastfeeding problems. Respects each client by keeping her information strictly confidential.

Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC clients. Reads and/or views assigned books and materials on breastfeeding that are provided by the supervisor. Refers mothers, according to clinic-established protocols, to the: WIC Nutritionist or Breastfeeding Coordinator, Lactation consultant, Certified Lactation Counselor, Designated Breastfeeding Expert, Public health programs in the community and/or Social service agencies.

Attends and assists with prenatal classes, breastfeeding support groups, and UF Health St John’s Hospital breastfeeding encouragement visits. Attends monthly staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences/workshops as appropriate. May assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects. Other WIC duties as assigned. Documents all contacts, assigned phone use, enters timesheets, Employee Activity Records, Leave and Attendance Records, travel, etc according to agency protocol. Maintains 100% compliance with the responsibilities for an Information/Key Custodian in accordance with DOH Information Security, Policies, and Procedures.

All other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Knowledge of VENA.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of effective communication.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of program objectives.
• Knowledge of basic arithmetic.
• Skilled in basic counseling techniques.
• Skilled in the Florida Nutrition Training Series.
• Skilled in Florida WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program.
• Ability to assist clients in accessing community resource services.
• Ability to understand and apply the methods and practices used by this position in medical, nutrition, child development or childcare settings.
• Ability to interview clients to identify needs.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationship with others.

Qualifications:
Minimum - Valid driver license or State ID, if out of state, a Florida driver’s license is required within 30 days of hire.
Work hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
Education: High School Diploma

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:
Mission:
To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.
Vision:
To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.
Values:
I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.
C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.
A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.
R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.
E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:
St. Augustine, Florida 32084

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. As an OPS employee, the benefits below are available:

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (mandatory)
• Participation in state group insurance (upon meeting eligibility requirements. Consult with People First and/or the serving HR office)
• Workers’ Compensation (mandatory, if needed)
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) (mandatory, if needed)
• Deferred Compensation (voluntary)
• Employee Assistance Program (voluntary)
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.