Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Nutrition Assistant I

Recruitment #22-5798-01

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Introduction

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended. 

Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.  Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires will only be accepted online.

Qualified bilingual persons who speak English and are also fluent in Spanish are especially encouraged to apply. There is an additional bi-weekly compensation for persons in positions designated bilingual. Qualified candidates may be tested to demonstrate language proficiency.

DESCRIPTION

HEALTH CARE SERVICES AGENCY

Alameda County's Health Services Program is administered by the Health Care Services Agency and includes the following program areas: Behavioral Health Care, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agency Administration/Indigent Health. The ultimate mission of the Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents.

 

PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT

The mission of the Alameda County Public Health Department is to work in partnership with the community to ensure the optimal health and wellbeing of all people. Alameda County Public Health Department has worked for over 80 years to improve the health and safety of its residents and the neighborhoods they live in. The Public Health Department staff are committed to the following values:

 
Healthy People in Healthy Communities
Equity and Social Justice
Accountability and Quality
Leadership and Innovation
Trust and Transparency
Humility and Respect

Traditional public health concerns such as disease outbreaks, environmental hazards and access to health care are compounded by contemporary concerns such as: economic disenfranchisement and homelessness, racism, sexual and reproductive health and rights, crime, violence, and substance abuse. Each of these poses a threat to public health and wellness and calls for innovative solutions, in close partnership with impacted communities. For more information about our Alameda County Public Health Department, please visit the Alameda County Public Health Department Website and latest Annual Budget document found on www.acgov.org

 

THE POSITION 

Under general supervision, learns to perform 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.
 

IDEAL CANDIDATE
In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, critical attributes to the success of the Nutrition Assistant I include:

  • Knowledge of the basic principles of health promotion, disease prevention and preventative health care as well as the ability to provide nutrition and breastfeeding education and services.
  • Proven success as a team player with excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to interact with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.
  • Possession of a customer-focused approach; actively seeking information to understand the customer’s circumstances, problems, expectations and needs, and ensuring that the customer’s needs are a priority.
  • Commitment to serving both internal and external customers, holding self-accountable for quality outcomes, and providing clients with appropriate guidance, feedback and resources.
  • Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively with individual from diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations and backgrounds.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with others to accomplish objectives, build and maintain mutually beneficial partnerships, leverage information and achieve results.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the class of Specialist Clerk I, or an equivalent or higher level classification, in the Alameda County classified service performing duties such as client education, customer service, intake, peer counseling, obtaining personal history data, need assessments, program placement, or screenings and referrals.

And

Education:

The equivalent of an Associate’s degree in nutrition, public health nutrition, dietetics, food science, health science, biochemistry, biology, health education, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

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.

OR III

Experience:

The equivalent of two 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 screenings and referrals.

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

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

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.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

  1. A review of applicants' application to verify possession of minimum requirements.  Those applicants who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.
  2. A review of the supplemental questionnaire to determine the best qualified applicants to continue in the process.
  3. An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidates' final examination score.  The oral interview may contain situational exercises.

CANDIDATES MUST ATTAIN A QUALIFYING RATING ON EACH PORTION OF THIS EXAMINATION. 

We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination components.  

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness, and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs .

Selection Plan

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN   

Deadline for Filing:    

5:00PM, Monday, September 12, 2022

Review of Minimum Qualifications:

September 23, 2022

Screening for Best Qualified:

**December 7, 2022

by October 31, 2022

Civil Service Oral Examination*:

**TBD 

Week of November 28, 2022

 *The combined oral examination/hiring interview, in addition to establishing an eligibility list, may serve as the final selection interview for vacancies in this classification.

**updated as of 11/28/22


WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN


Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

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

  • 11 paid holidays
  • Floating Holidays
  • Vacation and sick leave accrual
  • Vacation purchase program
  • Catastrophic Sick Leave
  • Group Auto/Home Insurance
  • 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
  • 1st 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.

 

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Notices will be sent from Noreply@jobaps.com.  Please add @jobaps.com and Noreply@jobaps.com as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page and clicking on the link 'last notice sent' for the respective recruitment.

 

Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

 

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box NoReply@jobaps.com are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions, please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

  

Angelica Cuevas, HR Analyst

Human Resource Services, County of Alameda

(510) 271-5154 or email Angelica.Cuevas@acgov.org

www.acgov.org/hrs 

 

 

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law.  Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect.  Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.