Job Description

Department Information

At the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the core of our mission to advance the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. We are genuinely and strongly committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness where we can grow and learn together with a diverse team of employees. In recruiting for team members, we welcome the unique contributions that you can bring to us and the work we do.

The Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC) has been part of the nation’s nutrition safety net for 50 years.

Extensive research has found WIC to be a cost-effective investment that leads to healthier infants, more nutritious diets, health care for children, and subsequently higher academic achievement for students. WIC helps families receive healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other community services.

Like other divisions within the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), WIC builds its program by addressing social determinants of health. WIC impacts the life course by promoting health practices that can ultimately improve life outcomes often experienced by vulnerable communities.

WIC serves babies and children up to age five, pregnant women, and new mothers. Dads, grandparents, foster parents of young children, and working families are welcome at WIC too!

Monthly, nearly one million WIC participants can find support at one of 84 local agencies which offer services at more than 500 sites throughout California. WIC participants can redeem their food benefits at approximately 3,800 grocers or farmers who are authorized to serve WIC families.

In 2019 - 2020, the WIC Division implemented an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card called the California WIC Card and a new management information system that allows WIC participants to be served more efficiently.

About The CDPH/WIC Family

Over 200 state staff work at CDPH’s WIC Division, headquartered at the Natomas campus in Sacramento. WIC is committed to a hybrid workforce and the state provides a modest stipend for those who fully and partially work from home. Staff are provided with a computer or laptop, camera, and large screen to conduct their work. We build our unit teams virtually and maintain contact with stakeholders by being on camera to solidify our relationships.

The WIC Division is led by senior managers administering a Local Policy and Health Programs Branch, Local Services Branch, Vendor Management Branch, Communications, Food, and Vendor Policy Branch, Data and Integrity Branch, WIC Systems Integration Branch, and the Operations team. Through these branches, support staff, analysts, specialists, researchers, and nutritionists serve the needs of WIC families, supports our program partners, and ensures the California WIC Program is administered appropriately and effectively.

Job Description And Duties

This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by advancing the health and well-being of California’s diverse people and communities. As an employee of the Local Policy and Health Programs Branch, the incumbent serves as part of a team that implements local and statewide nutrition education, training and breastfeeding policies which protect and serve the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program participants and local agencies.

The incumbent works under the general direction of the Chief, Health and Nutrition Education Section, Health Program Manager II (HPM II).

The Public Health Nutrition Consultant III (PHNC III) (Specialist) serves as a highly skilled nutrition and program services professional responsible for assessing the effectiveness and quality of nutrition and program services provided by WIC local agencies to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children; and for evaluating the implementation of federal and state policies by WIC local agencies.

The incumbent leads the development, coordination, implementation and evaluation of nutrition and program services to meet the needs of participants, as well as complex, comprehensive state-wide nutrition, breastfeeding training campaigns, projects, and initiatives.

Travels statewide up to 25% of the time.

“The salary information listed on this advertisement may not reflect recent salary increases from salary adjustments or changes in the fiscal year.”

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

1. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
2. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential issues
3. Ability to communicate effectively with staff at various levels, external agencies, and the general public
4. Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills including reviewing and editing documents

Experience In:

1. Interpreting and explaining policies, processes, and procedures to various audiences
2. Nutrition and public health fields
3. Curriculum development

Knowledge Of:

1. State and federal policies and regulations or recommendations as it related to nutrition and public health
2. Public Health and/or health care fields with thorough knowledge of nutrition research
3. Developing, implementing, and evaluating education, training campaigns, projects and/or initiatives

Eligibility Information

If new to California state service, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. If you are a current state employee, but do not have transfer eligibility or list eligibility, you will need to have taken and passed the examination for this classification in order to be hired for this position. Please go to CalHR’s website to review the exam bulletin:

Supplemental Questionnaire

Please answer the following questions to complete the Supplemental Questionnaire:

1. Describe you experience with development, implementation and evaluation of education or training materials.
2. Describe your experience leading a project that required coordinating with various stakeholders. Include the challenges of the project and ultimate outcome.

Temporary Authorization Utilization (TAU)

***Will also consider Temporary Authorization Utilization (TAU) appointments- Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications for the classification but do not currently have eligibility on an employment certification list by having taken and passed an examination may apply as a TAU. TAU appointments are limited to a duration of 9 months within a 12 consecutive month period. In order for a TAU appointment to become permanent, individuals must take and pass the related examination, and thereby become eligible from a certification list, within 9 months of TAU appointment. Individuals who successfully obtain eligibility prior to the expiration of the TAU appointment will not be required to re-compete in a competitive process for permanent appointment to that position.***

Telework Information

This position may be eligible for telework up to three (3) days per week and is required to report in-person to the designated headquarters office location a minimum of two (2) days per week. The amount of telework permitted is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with CDPH’s Telework Program. All employees who telework are required to be California residents in accordance with Government Code 14200. Candidates who reside outside of the state of California may be interviewed; however, the selected candidate must have a primary residency in the state of California prior to appointment (and continue to maintain California residency) as a condition of employment. Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded.

Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquarters office subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the designated headquarters office will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The headquarters office location for this position is identified in the attached duty statement.

Final Filing Date: 12/20/2024

Job Code #: JC-459221

Position #(s): 580-510-2166-038

Working Title: Nutrition Education Consultant

Classification: PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION CONSULTANT III (SPECIALIST)

$6,725.00 - $9,184.00

Work Location: Sacramento County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Should you have any questions regarding the application process, our Recruitment Team is ready to help you at Apply@cdph.ca.gov or (916) 445-0983.

Job Tags

Remote job, Permanent employment, Full time, Contract work, Temporary work, Local area, Work from home, 2 days per week, 3 days per week,

Similar Jobs