Public Health Nutritionist

Job Announcement

This job opportunity is being re-announced. If you applied previously, you do not need to re-apply to be considered.

The Fairfax County Health Department is a progressive public health leader serving 1.2 million residents from diverse ethnic, cultural, and economic backgrounds. With more than 100 years of leadership in the field, we are committed to promoting population health, protecting public health and the environment, and ensuring residents' equitable access to health services and information.

Works at a Fairfax County WIC site. Provides nutrition services to women, infants, and children, including counseling of high-risk clients and caseload management. Assesses and evaluates nutritional needs of clients and certifies them according to nutritional risk. Establishes food packages for participants. Documents all certification and nutrition activities. Plans and conducts nutrition education, including breastfeeding support and promotion, to meet participants' needs as required by established guidelines.

Note: This is a grant-funded position.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all- inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of nutrition;
  
• Ability to assess and evaluate the nutritional needs of individuals, families and groups;
  
• Ability to develop nutrition care plans;
  
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A bachelor's or higher degree in nutritional sciences, public health nutrition, dietetics or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university and satisfactorily completed a program of supervised clinical experience approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; or related qualification requirements as defined by the Code of Virginia Chapter 27.1 of Title 54.1 Dietitians and Nutritionists.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Preferred candidate will have met credentialing requirements to be a Registered Dietitian through the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Previous experience as a WIC Nutritionist. Proficiency in recordkeeping and in use of Microsoft Office software applications (Word, Excel). Position requires the candidates to be proactive, exercise good judgment, use critical thinking skills, be organized and have excellent customer service skills. Clear oral and written communication skills. Ability to adapt to changes in a fast-paced environment.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation - CPR (Required within 60 days)
• AED (Required within 60 days)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, child protectives services registry check, sanctions screening and driver's license check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Employee is required to walk, stand, sit, bend, kneel, reach, climb stairs and carry equipment or young children up to 25 pounds in weight.
• Uses hands to grasp, handle or feel.
• Visual acuity is required to read data on a computer monitor.
• Ability to operate keyboard driven equipment.
• Ability to drive a vehicle.
• Position frequently communicates and must be able to exchange accurate information with others verbally and in writing.
• All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
  

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home ( Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others ) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.