Women Infant and Children (WIC) Director

Under direction, plans, organizes, and evaluates local WIC Program activities in accordance with Federal regulations and under the general guidance and supervision of the State WIC office and the Director of Public Health. Provides direct client services to WIC participants.Supervises staff often (8.4 FTEs) and is responsible for an overall WIC budget of approximately $982,664.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
   1. Frequently interacts with others in the work unit, the public, vendors or across
       departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information;
   2. Interaction with the public, vendors/ community partners or across departments
       occasionally includes negotiations involving convincing the other party to do something to achieve a basic work-related objective;
2. Responds to Public Health Emergencies.
   1. Has a working knowledge of the National Incident Management System for emergency preparedness and has completed the courses required for their job;
   2. Fulfills roles within the Department’s Emergency Operations Plan as determined by Emergency Preparedness and Management staff;
   3. During an actual emergency, is accessible 24/7 with an established family contingency plan in place.
3. Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
   1. Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
   2. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
   3. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed, make efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draw them to the attention of the supervisor responsible or safety representative in a timely manner.
4. Provides training and work direction to department, ensuring their employee is knowledgeable and abides   by safety guidelines and practices as outlined in sections 3.1 – 3.3.
5. Directs the preparation of the line-item budget for division of WIC, working closely with the Director of Public Health and Public Health Finance Director to integrate the budget into the overall Public Health and City budget and manage department operations to comply with the budget.
   1. Develops and administers local WIC budget in cooperation with the State WIC office
   2. Develops, recommends and monitors the budget including the incorporation of individual program and operating budgets by reviewing past expenditures, analyzing future needs and making determinations regarding the necessary resources to accomplish public health goals and meet community needs;
   3. Approve or decline expenditures to ensure compliance with budgetary guidelines;
   4. Monitors staffing levels, work schedules and year-to-date overtime balances and direct adjustments as necessary to remain within budget limits.
   5. Researches and identifies grant funds for department purposes and works with Public Health Finance Director to account for grant fund uses;
      1. Coordinates grant application and writing;
      2. Monitors grant contracts to assure compliance with grant requirements.
6. Directs, plans, organizes and evaluates local WIC Program Activities in accordance with Federal regulations and under the general guidance and supervision of the State WIC office and in consultation with the Director of Public Health.
   1. Selects annual program goals and develops local objectives, policies, and plans;
   2. Implements policies, plans and services for Annual Plan;
   3. Establishes a system of control and accountability of program funds, eWIC cards, property, and other assets.
   4. Coordinates local agency nutrition needs assessment and development of the annual nutrition services plan.
   5. Maintains records needed for program operation and accountability and submits reports on a timely basis as required by the State WIC office to the State WIC office and the Director of Public Health.
   6. Coordinates the review and selection of nutrition education materials compliant with Fargo Cass Public Health
7. Coordinates WIC services with other health services at Fargo Cass Public Health.
   1. Makes referrals to appropriate internal FCPH services and community services;
   2. Establishes effective liaison relationships with local community physicians, health and social service programs, and community groups as needed.
8. Conducts WIC marketing and outreach activities for the public health service area.
9. Coordinates with all vendor activities for the local public health service area.
   1. Ensures vendors are trained on WIC program;
   2. Ensures contracts with vendors;
   3. Monitors vendors including but not limited to compliance buys and daily reviews of bank receipts.
10. Represents the department on various committees at the local, state, and federal levels.
11. Provides  leadership and direction to the WIC staff. 
    1. In cooperation with City Human Resources, is responsible for department personnel administration and the administration of personnel policies;
    2. Supervises, orients, trains, and evaluates other WIC staff.
    3. In collaboration with the Director of Public Health, and the State WIC staff, makes decisions on matters of hiring, transfer, suspension, lay off, recall, promotion, discharge, assignment, reward, adjusting grievances or disciplining employees under the span of control;
    4. Leads staff in maintaining a positive work environment and fostering effective performance;
    5. Conducts ongoing feedback, coaching, mentoring, and timely formal reviews of performance for assigned employees;
    6. Assesses staff development needs and directs the provision of staff training.
12. Regularly meet with other public health department management staff to discuss ongoing department needs, goals and objectives. Maintains knowledge of current trends, technology, innovations, and best practices in the field.
13. Completes all aspects of the WIC participant appointments- determines financial eligibility, completes the    nutrition assessment process, prescribes food packages, issues food benefits,  and provides nutritional education and referrals.
    1. Informs clients of health services available at WIC agency and refers to other health and social service programs.
    2. Maintains documentation of education, services and referrals provided to clients
14. Performs duties of a WIC Nutritionist I (or WIC Nutrition Educator) or WIC Nutritionist II depending on educational background. Develops and executes client nutritional plans.
    1. Based on risk assessment, develops individual nutrition plans for high-risk clients; 
    2. Provides culturally sensitive nutrition and breastfeeding information.
15. Provides breastfeeding education and support to clients.
    1. Provides individualized breastfeeding instructions; assesses eligibility for and issues breast pumps.
    2. Coordinates support services with hospital lactation consultants and provided information on community programs;
16. Coordinates public health nutrition needs assessment and development of the annual nutrition services plan.
    1. Assist with planning, data collection, generating reports and carrying out strategies for Community   health Assessment (CHA), Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), Strategic Plan, Performance Management, Quality Improvement and Accreditation.
17. Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree is required, (Master’s preferred) in food and nutrition, community nutrition, public health nutrition, dietetics or home economics. Two years of management experience in Public Health or WIC preferred; or the equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. A valid American Dietetic Association license and registration with the State of North Dakota is required. Those who have the RDN credential prior to January 1, 2024, require at a minimum a Bachelor’s degree.  Newly credentialed RDN’s require a Master’s degree effective Jan. 1, 2024. 

Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

Most work is performed in a normal office environment. Work is generally light with considerable variety. Daily work involves extensive computer use. There is high attention to detail and deadlines. Driving is required weekly. Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Activities include stooping, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing, repetitive motions.

Light Work: Physical demands are normally those associated with light work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

The job may require dealing with individuals who are emotionally charged. There is regular exposure to potential hazards such as body fluids, contagious diseases and environmental hazards.

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.