County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

DEFINITION:


Under general supervision, conducts nutrition assessments, consultation and follow up for community members who are at a lower nutritional risk; determines eligibility for nutrition assistance programs; performs nutrition education in group settings and on an individual basis; and performs other related duties as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES:

Nutrition Assistant II is the journey-level class in the flexibly staffed Nutrition Assistant classification series located in the Public Health Department. Nutrition Assistant II is distinguished from the Nutrition Assistant I in that the latter performs in a training capacity, learning to perform the full range of direct services required at the journey level. The Nutrition Assistant series is further distinguished from the professional classification series of Nutritionist I/II in that the Nutritionist I/II performs the full-range of nutrition services to "high risk" clientele exercising significant judgment and making therapeutic decisions regarding treatment or counseling services.

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. Conducts intake interviews with new and returning applicants to determine eligibility for federal nutrition program qualification.

2. Obtains, analyzes and evaluates medical, psycho-social and dietary history information of low-risk pregnant, post-partum and breast-feeding women, infants and children to determine risk category.

3. Educates low-risk individuals, groups and families in making healthy food selection, food preparation and menu planning based on nutrition and health care need.

4. Informs clients of community services available and makes appropriate referrals to these services.

5. Provides scheduling options and conducts follow-up appointments.

6. Provides clients and community group nutrition and health education.

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

8. Provides back-up for front desk/reception in absence of clerical staff.

9. Attends staff conferences, represents program in community and agency meetings.

10. Assists in development of nutritional care plans and community nutrition programs; oversees implementation of plans, subject to review by professional staff.

11. Assists in the preparation of promotional and nutrition education materials.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the class of Nutrition Assistant I in the Alameda County classified service.



Or II

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in nutrition, public health nutrition, dietetics, food science, health science, biochemistry, biology, lactation, health education, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience performing duties such as client education, customer service, intake, peer counseling, obtaining personal history data, needs assessments, program placement, or screenings and referrals.

Or III
Experience:

The equivalent of three years of full-time experience performing duties such as client education, customer service, intake, peer counseling, obtaining personal history data, need assessments, program placement, or screening and referral.

Substitution:

Completion of a Nutrition Assistant or Dietetic Technician certificate program from a university, community or technical college may be substituted for one year of the required experience in pattern III above.

Licenses and Certificates:

Positions in Women Infant and Children's nutritional programs (WIC) must be certified as a WIC Nutrition Assistant by the State of California, Department of Health Services prior to being flexibly promoted to the Nutrition Assistant II level.


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:

• Appropriate nutrition practices for women, infants or children at low risk for a nutrition-related problem.
• Principles of counseling.
• Interviewing and intervention techniques.
• Availability of community and governmental services and resources.
• Computer based applicant tracking systems.
• Nutrition program eligibility requirements.
• Certification and screening process and food instrument functions.
• Basic principles of health promotion, disease prevention and preventive health care.

Ability to:

• Conduct dietary recall nutritional assessments, “low risk” consultation and follow up.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Follow prescribed policies and procedures.
• Recognize circumstances of vulnerable populations that affect healthy equity.
• Explain and provide services in a manner that is compatible with the needs and preferences of diverse community members.
• Understand and incorporate the Agency and Department’s core values and ethical standards of practice into all interactions with individuals, organizations, and communities.
• Understand and accept cultural, racial and economic differences in attitudes toward health problems.
• Gain confidence and obtain personal history data from clients of diverse backgrounds.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

AM:sw 5/14/98/
Old doc: 5798h.doc
New doc: /5798-5799.doc
ys/3/01
CSC Date: 7/8/98
RT:pf Rev. 8/15/01 9/27/01
CSC date: 5/22/02
SA:pf Revision 6/14/2005
CSC Date: 10/12/2005
LC:jf Revision 3/16/17
CSC Date: 6/21/2017

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.