Public Health Community Nutritionist

The Forsyth County Department of Public Health is seeking a motivated, energetic and creative Community Nutritionist to lead community-based nutrition and wellness initiatives that promote health lifestyles and improve community health. This position conducts nutrition classes, presentations and provides education for Forsyth County employees, Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools, community organizations and libraries. The successful candidate will develop and implement nutrition education programs, wellness initiatives and outreach activities in collaboration with schools, community organizations, and other local partners. Responsibilities may include providing nutrition education and presentations, promotions health eating and physical activity, developing educational materials and social media content (flyers etc.) and supporting efforts to prevent chronic diseases and address nutrition-related health concerns across the community.

The ideal candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills, a passion for nutrition, prevention, community health and the ability to work collaboratively with interns, public health associates and community partners in a variety of settings. This position does require some evenings and weekends to support community programming and outreach activities. Additional responsibilities include participating in committees, work groups and collaborative partnerships to advance community health and wellness goals. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may also be asked to perform other reasonable, related duties as requested by the immediate supervisor or other management staff.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm with some evening/weekend meetings, classes or events.


The ideal candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

- Ability to write and speak effectively in presenting ideas.
- Ability to multi-task, work independently and with a team, and perform detail-oriented functions.
- Ability to understand the social and psychological factors affecting target group’s receptivity to service utilization.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with departmental personnel, community organizations and the general public.
- Proven ability to provide high-quality customer service.
- General knowledge of the functions of community health agencies.
- General knowledge of the methods and techniques used in preparing and disseminating educational information to the public.
- Ability to collect community data, generally from existing resources, for planning public health education programs.
- General knowledge of the techniques involved in preparing and displaying posters, exhibits and other educational visual aids.
- General knowledge of the theoretical principles and practices of public health and public health education.

Graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in foods and nutrition, public health nutrition, or dietetics and one year of work experience as a Nutritionist. 

Must have a valid driver's license to drive to satellite clinics, conferences and meetings.

A higher education level may be considered as a substitution for all or part of the experience requirement.

--
Completion of an ADA approved dietetic internship with ADA Commission on Dietetic Registration eligibility preferred.
or 
Completion of a Master's Degree in nutrition or public health nutrition with ADA Commission on Dietetic Registration eligibility preferred.

Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Administrative: 
- Reply to emails, answer phone calls, follow up with voicemails, complete monthly reports, dailies, and timesheets. 
- Submit leave requests, travel forms in a timely manner; submit print shop requests, and orders supplies for programs.

Community Nutrition Education/Collaboration:
- Conduct nutrition classes and presentations and wellness for community agencies, private and public schools, libraries, church/civic groups group homes, businesses, medical facilities, and professional organizations.
- Prepare lesson plans, develop, review, and update audiovisual aides and nutrition education materials to enhance learning.
- Develop resource materials for various community health agencies and individuals.
- Assist with Be Healthy School Kids nutrition activities and or presentations when needed (i.e. staff boot at open houses, classroom presentations, school plays, etc...).
- Collaborate with community partners to offer nutrition education and materials to patients. Examples of community partners are Wake Forest, Novant, FCS, Downtown Health Plaza, United Health Centers, and Community Care Clinic to name a few. Additional partners may also contact the nutritionist for services, and it is the duty of the nutritionist to accommodate if time permits.
- Collaborate with various community agencies to promote Public Health Nutrition programs, goals, and objectives.
- Maintain membership and participate in community coalitions to promote public health nutrition policies and other activities that support healthy lifestyle choices.
- Provide in-service training and education for county employees.
- Provide technical assistant and field nutrition and wellness questions to medical and health professionals.
- Collaborate with local organizations to provide support services for food insecure populations in Forsyth County. Examples include working with community gardens, local Forsyth County Food Works, Recreation Centers, etc.

NCMDPP:
- Coach/facilitate NC MDPP - Forsyth County Department of Public Health employee (FCDPH) cohort after the Lifestyle Coach training (refer to coach agreement for specifics).
- Check food logs for FCDPH site. Serve as a consultant to other Lifestyle Coaches for specific dietary questions.
- Provide nutrition counseling sessions outside of class time for NC MDPP participants as needed.
- Facilitate nutrition classes for Forsyth County NC MDPP sites as requested (after consecutive 16 week sessions).
- Enter data for FCDPH site (per contract agreement instructions).
- Create supplemental health education information as needed.
- Offer other health education/nutrition activities to all FCDPH employees and invite/include NC MDPP participants.

Training and Continuing Education:
- Attend in-services, conferences, workshops, trainings, and meetings to keep abreast of the most current nutrition information and wellness topics.
- Accumulate continuing education hours for accreditation for registration/licensure in dietetics with American Dietetic Association.

Preceptor for Nutrition Interns:
- Precept dietetic interns who are enrolled into a Master's program and RD eligible. Plan, organize and coordinate rotation schedules with other health department staff in the facility (i.e. WIC).
- Establish workplans for interns and monitor/observe and evaluate all aspects of the intern's work that is congruent with University, ADA. and health department standards.
- Conduct in person or virtual site visits with the Assistant Director or Director of Dietetics division of the university during the intern's rotation to discuss the intern's progress and accomplishments.

State Health Promotion Activities:
- Provide consultation and technical assistance to various community agencies to encourage PSE change as it pertains to nutrition.

HealthKick:
- Consults and collaborates with county HR for HealthKick related activities.