Nutrition Counselor

The Nutrition Counselor is a paraprofessional support role responsible for providing essential services to WIC participants.

Key duties include screening for program eligibility, assessing and documenting nutrition risk factors, delivering nutrition and breastfeeding education to low-risk participants, identifying the need for individual care plans, and making referrals to health and social service providers. The counselor also ensures appropriate follow-up is completed as needed.

This position does not include supervisory responsibilities. The Nutrition Counselor works under the supervision of a designated higher-level staff member with credentials as a Competent Professional Authority (CPA) or higher (e. g., Nutrition Coordinator, Breastfeeding Coordinator, or Program Director).

Minimum Education

• High School Diploma or GED High School Diploma or GED with 3 years experience in WIC or other public health setting (Required) Or
• Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Community Health, Dietetics, Health Sciences, or a related health field (Required)

Minimum Work Experience

• 2 years’ experience with High School Diploma or GED with 2-3 years of experience in WIC or other public health settings. (Preferred) Or
• 0 years’ experience with a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Community Health, Dietetics, Health Sciences, or a related health field. This educational background qualifies the individual to function as a CPPA, capable of delivering participant-centered education, assessing nutrition risks, and supporting individualized care (Preferred)

Required Skills/Knowledge

• Demonstrated proficiency with business software (e. g. Microsoft Office Suite-Word, Excel, Outlook and/or PowerPoint preferred). Ability to learn and apply new technology and skills
• Detail oriented, ability to multi-task, and excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Excellent customer service, time management skills and ability to follow through
• Ability to work well independently in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• Complete WIC para-professional competency training with a passing grade upon hiring within 90 days

Required Licenses and Certifications

• Must complete State Agency-required training with a passing grade on an administered exam upon completion of training. 90 Days (Required)

Functional Accountabilities

Eligibility Screening & Certification Support

• Conduct preliminary screening of applicants to determine WIC eligibility (e. g., income, residency, categorical requirements).

Gather and document anthropometric and health data (e. g., height, weight, hemoglobin) to assist in nutrition risk assessment.

Nutrition Risk Assessment & Documentation

Identify and document low-risk nutrition concerns under supervision of a CPA.

Accurately enter participant data into WIC MIS systems and maintain up-to-date records.

Nutrition & Breastfeeding Education

Provide individualized and group education to low-risk participants on nutrition, healthy eating, and breastfeeding basics.

Tailor educational messages using approved WIC materials and participant-centered counseling techniques (e. g., VENA approach).

Referrals & Care Coordination

Refer participants to WIC nutritionists, breastfeeding staff, or other CPAs for high-risk concerns.

Connect families to external health and social services as appropriate (e. g., Medicaid, SNAP, housing support).

Benefit Issuance & Follow-Up

Issue WIC food benefits to participants using agency protocols.

Schedule follow-up appointments and ensure participants receive continuous care.

Program Integrity & Compliance

Uphold the highest standards of honesty and ethical conduct when reviewing participant documents and determining program eligibility.

Ensure all documentation, including participant notes, eligibility assessments, and appointment logs, is accurate, complete, and truthful.

Never falsify or alter records, participant information, or eligibility criteria for any reason.

Maintain strict confidentiality of participant information and comply with HIPAA and WIC program privacy standards.

Avoid any behavior that may constitute fraud, misuse of benefits, or misrepresentation of participant needs.

Participate in ongoing training to stay current with federal, state, and local WIC policies and procedures.

Professional Communication & Workplace Conduct

Work collaboratively with CPAs, nutrition coordinator, WIC Director, and other team members to support participant outcomes.

Maintain a respectful, collaborative, and professional demeanor in interactions with coworkers, supervisors, and community partners.

Communicate clearly and effectively in both verbal and written formats, including proper grammar and tone in emails and documentation.

Respond to emails, voicemails, and referrals in a timely manner to ensure continuity of care and uphold WIC program standards.

Represent the WIC program with professionalism in all internal and external communications.

This position may include additional responsibilities as deemed necessary by the WIC Director. Employees are expected to demonstrate flexibility and a willingness to support the needs of the program. Duties and tasks may be adjusted based on program priorities and operational needs.

Physical Requirements and Work Conditions

Lifting and Carrying: Must be able to lift and carry up to 20 pounds without assistance on a regular basis (e. g., transporting supplies, boxes of formula, or educational materials).

Mobility: Ability to move freely between offices, clinics, and outreach event locations, including walking, standing, and occasional bending or reaching.

Computer Use: Must be able to sit for extended periods while using a computer, participating in virtual meetings, or completing documentation and reports.

Travel: Occasional local travel required between clinic sites or to community events; must be able to operate a personal vehicle if needed.

Environmental Conditions: Work may be performed in a typical office or clinic setting, with occasional exposure to varying temperatures or crowded event environments.

Flexibility and Task Assignment: Must be able to adapt to changing priorities and accept assignments as needed at the discretion of the WIC Director and other clinic leadership, which may include cross-coverage, special projects, or support at alternate clinic sites.

• Organizational Accountabilities
• Organizational Accountabilities (Staff)/ Organizational Commitment/Identification
• Anticipates and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

• Teamwork/Communication
• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior
• Partner with all team members to achieve goals
• Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions

• Performance Improvement/Problem-solving
• Contribute to a positive work environment
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change
• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes
• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

• Cost Management/Financial Responsibility
• Use resources efficiently
• Search for less costly ways of doing things

• Safety
• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance
• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation
• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation
• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication
• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance