WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor I

Public Health – Seattle & King County is seeking a qualified Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Breastfeeding Peer Counselor to help WIC mothers initiate and continue breastfeeding by providing basic evidence-supported information, encouragement, support, and by addressing barriers to breastfeeding. Peer Counselors reinforce breastfeeding recommendations in a socially and culturally appropriate context, and promote breastfeeding as an important element in the health development of the mother and baby. The incumbent will work with clients individually or in a group setting, utilizing client-centered skills and following the USDA's Loving Support Model. 
Prior experience breastfeeding exclusively for a period of at least six months for at least one infant is required.

Background

Note: This recruitment will be used to create an eligibility pool to fill additional Career Service, Term-Limited Temporary (TLT), or Special Duty Assignment (SDA) vacancies that may occur over the next six months.

Commitment To Equity and Social Justice

Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.

The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.

We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.

To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx

Work Schedule: 

This position is half-time, approximately 20 hours per week. The work associated with this position is performed by telecommuting. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements. As needed, the position may be required to work outside of regular business hours which may include Saturday hours. This position is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and are overtime eligible. Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint. King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.

Non-Exempt

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

• Promote breastfeeding as the optimal method of feeding among WIC participants.
 • Provide basic breastfeeding information and encouragement, address concerns and establish rapport with assigned clients.
 • Provide individual or group counseling for normal lactation management issues according to established protocols and approved resources.
 • Address issues clients are most concerned about, help clients explore their barriers and visualize how breastfeeding can work for them.
 • Promote breastfeeding as the optimal method of feeding among WIC participants, and as an important element in the health development of mother and baby;
 • Provide basic breastfeeding information and encouragement, utilizing client-centered skills and following the USDA's Loving Support Model;
 • Establish rapport and address breastfeeding concerns with assigned clients;
 • Provide individual or group counseling for normal lactation management issues according to established protocols and approved resources;
 • Refer clients for more intensive breastfeeding assistance when indicated, per established protocols and approved resources;
 • Address issues clients are most concerned about;
 • Help clients explore barriers to a successful breastfeeding experience;
• Assist clients in visualizing how breastfeeding can work for them;
 • Maintain accurate records and chart notes of all client contacts;
 • Follow agency procedures for making referrals and reporting child safety concerns.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Previous personal breastfeeding experience of at least one infant exclusively for a minimum of six months
 • Knowledge of basic breastfeeding methods and management of common problems
 • Knowledge of basic breastfeeding physiology, anatomy, and counseling techniques
 • Ability to maintain client confidentiality
 • Ability to successfully demonstrate effective and professional cross-cultural communication skills in person and in writing
 • Ability to adapt and adjust to needs of diverse clients
 • Ability to work independently and as a team member
 • Ability to use computers and software programs necessary to the position
 • Experience working with diverse populations
 • Valid Washington State Driver's License
 • Completion of the "Loving Support" Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Training Program within one month of hire
 • Some licenses, certifications and other requirements determined to be necessary to meet the business needs of the employing unit may be required

Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health position.

Desired Qualifications: 

• Current or past participation in the WIC program is preferred

• Bilingual English and Spanish is preferred

Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Application Process

If you are interested in pursuing this position and supporting King County’s vision for unified, equitable, and high-performing government, please follow the application instructions carefully. Provide us with your work history as applicable, ensuring that you provide details that highlight your ability to fulfill the requirements for this position.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, or you would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, please contact your Recruiter.

King County's Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values unite us.

King County serves residents with a relentless sense of urgency, delivering on commitments with transparency and accountability. We are action-oriented, creative problem solvers who collaborate across roles, engage directly with communities, and challenge the status quo to achieve meaningful impact. As a unified team, we uphold high ethical and stewardship standards, embrace change, stay curious, and continuously improve. Across all interactions, we listen first, act quickly, and stay aligned as a team to earn and sustain public trust. Learn more about our Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values here and visit our Why work at King County page here.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on sex, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age except by minimum age and retirement provisions, pregnancy, status as a family caregiver, parental status, marital status, military status or status as a veteran who was honorably discharged or who was discharged solely as a result of the person's sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, citizenship or immigration status, genetic information, or other protected class. However, to the extent that distinction or differential treatment on the basis of citizenship or immigration status is authorized by either federal or state law, regulation, or government contract, it is not an unfair practice.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

Who May Apply

All eligible applicants

The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:

(Please note: Cover letters, resumes, and additional attachments will not be reviewed as part of the evaluation process if not outlined as a required application material as outlined above). 

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

Necessary Special Requirements

Union Membership: Non Represented