County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under close supervision at the Nutritionist I level to assist in planning, developing, and conducting a component of a nutrition program; to provide consultative services on menus and nutrition; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Nutritionist I is the entry-level class in the flexibly staffed Nutritionist classification series located in the Health Care Services Agency. Nutritionist I is distinguished from the higher-level classification of Nutritionist II in that the former handles less complex components of a nutrition program. Under close supervision incumbents are expected to gain experience and demonstrate proficiency which qualify them to promote to the higher-level classification of Nutritionist II.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Provides consultant services and conducts educational programs on food and nutrition for the Health Department, nursing and boarding homes, other county departments, for local public and private agencies and provides information on nutrition to individual citizens.

2. Develops, conducts and administers the nutritional aspects of a component of a nutritional program or project.

3. Conducts studies and surveys on nutritional status, dietary patterns, and food needs of groups in the community.

4. Prepares, reviews and recommends material on nutrition such as lesson plans, pamphlets, books, and audio visual aids.

5. Provides nutritional counseling to participants in County health programs; obtains and evaluates client data; determines nutritional risks and deficiencies.

6. Uses dietary guidelines and nutritional software program in performing menu analysis to ensure food served meets defined nutritional standards.

7. Within detention facilities incumbents work with on-site medical staff and/or Food Service management to address specific quality and therapeutic dietary needs of detainees.

8. Provides the community and clients with breastfeeding education, promotion and support; may be involved in pump issuance, pump log maintenance, as well as providing lactation consultation referrals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

The equivalent of six months full-time experience in dietetic services or public health nutrition.

Substitution:

Possession of a Master’s degree in Nutrition, Public Health Nutrition, Dietetics, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required six months experience.

Licenses and Certificates:

Valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
Possession of a current Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and good standing with the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Human nutrition and its relationship to health and disease.
• Principles and practices of current academic nutrition knowledge.
• Principles of nutrition education and medical nutrition therapy for clients.
• Elements of food value, costs and budgeting.
• Principles and practices of direct client service delivery.


Ability to:

• Plan nutritional programs and coordinate them with other departmental programs.
• Provide direct nutrition services.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within established policies and guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing with linguistic and cultural proficiency.
• Understand and accept differences in attitudes toward health problems resulting from medical, cultural, socio-economic and other factors.
• Understand the connections between social conditions (income/community economics, transportation, education, housing, incarceration) and individual and community health.
• Communicate information in order to influence behavior and improve health.
• Understand and incorporate the Agency and Department’s core values and ethical standards of practice into all interactions with individuals, organizations, and communities.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

LB:Lm h Revised: 7/85
Old doc: 0549h.wpf
Csc date: 7/24/85
RT:pf 9/18/01 Rev/Retitle [Nutritionist]
New doc: 5792-5795.doc
CSC date: 12/19/01
IB:pf Revised 5/13/04
CSC Date: 7/7/04
LC:jf Revised 2/27/17
CSC Date: 5/24/2017

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.