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 that 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 known as WIC WISE, that allows WIC participants to be served more efficiently. The CDPH WIC Division works continuously to improve its operations and system to better support families and its partners.

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, Systems Integration Branch, and the Operations team.  Through these branches, our 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.

CDPH is an E-Verify Employer  

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

Department Website: https://www.cdph.ca.gov

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 Services Branch, the selected candidate serves as part of a team that provides support, training, and implements local and statewide policies which protect and serve the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program participants and local agencies.

• Provide expert technical assistance to local WIC agencies on nutrition services, operations, and best practices.
• Monitor agency adherence to the WIC Policy and Procedures Manual (WPPM), Nutrition Services Plan (NSP), and Nutrition Services Standards; conduct on-site evaluations and recommend corrective actions.
• Develop and implement statewide education, breastfeeding, and training campaigns, including Participant-Centered Services, WIC Web Information System Exchange (WISE) education areas, WIC Nutrition Assistant training, and the California Baby Behavior Campaign.
• Research medical and behavioral literature, which includes the design and revise curriculum, educational materials, and staff training modules.
• Prepare reports, memoranda, and budget proposals on complex public health nutrition topics.
• Provide legislative bill analysis on nutrition and breastfeeding issues to inform policy decisions.
• Evaluate local agency implementation of federal and state WIC policies and recommend improvements.
• Monitor and analyze national and state public health indicators relevant to WIC populations and identify emerging risks and recommend strategies to address them.
• Serve as liaison to other preventive health programs within state and local health agencies while providing leadership on nutrition and program issues to reduce risk factors and strengthen inter-program collaboration.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to advance public health nutritional goals and ensure alignment with CDPH strategic priorities.
• Travel statewide up to 25% to conduct on-site evaluations, provide technical assistance, and support program implementation.

Special Requirements:
Possession of a valid certificate of registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION CONSULTANT III (SPECIALIST)

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:

·   Possession of a valid certificate of registration with the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the American Dietetic Association

• Experience with WIC operations and participant-centered service delivery.
• Strong skills in program evaluation, policy development, and data analysis.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent written communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Legislative analysis and project management experience.
• Proficiency with WISE, WPPM, NSP, and Nutrition Services Standards.
• Ability to lead complex statewide initiatives and training programs.
• Commitment to health equity and culturally responsive practices.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included.

https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=503643

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.

About California Department of Public Health

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 Human Resources Division (HRD) partners with CDPH’s programs and management to provide guidance and consultative services on HR matters that are necessary for the Department to carry out its mission to deliver quality public health services.

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