WIC Assistant Director, Nutrition Services - San Diego State University Research Foundation

Overview

This position has been budgeted for $7,500 - $8,400 per month depending on qualificaitons and is non-negotiable.

The SDSU Research Foundation Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program is the largest WIC agency in San Diego County, with approximately 80 employees providing a variety of nutrition services to over 26,000 participants monthly. The WIC program is a safety net program that aims to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care for residents of San Diego County.

Under the direction of the WIC Director, the WIC Assistant Director is responsible for managing all WIC site operations and nutrition services of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) including but not limited to program planning, program management and policy development; directly supervises WIC employees including Registered Dietitians, Degreed Nutritionist, Nutrition Assistants and Nutrition Services Assistants.  Responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating WIC program activities and ensuring compliance with operational and fiscal requirements. The WIC Assistant Director serves as the back up to the WIC Director.

Responsibilities

The WIC Assistant Director, Nutrition Services is responsible for but not limited to:

Administrative Oversight of the Management, Training and Evaluation of WIC Direct Service Staff 50%

Responsible for managing all aspects of staff performance to include overseeing staff development, training, and compliance with WIC policies and procedures, reviewing requests for time off and timekeeping records, creating monthly employee schedule, timekeeping records, and conducting annual and mid-point performance evaluations. Responsible for taking corrective action when necessary by addressing employee performance problems; clearly describe the purpose for the corrective action and the impact the employee has on their workgroup, by following a progressive discipline approach. Tracks employee progress or lack thereof and promptly addresses problems as they arise. Provides meaningful and objective feedback on areas for improvement or development and works with employees to develop plans for improvement or development. Ensures staff is sufficiently trained to perform job duties consistent with their job descriptions and WIC policies and procedures.  Serves on interview panel and participates in the hiring process for staff vacancies.  Advises WIC Director of problems or conflicts, which may interfere with clinic operations; provides a cooperative and positive team climate for maximum staff productivity. Provides guidance and mentorship to the Area Supervisors and Registered Dietitian Supervisors on issues such as staff coverage, policy interpretation and minor employee relation issues. Conducts well-planned, productive staff meetings on a regular basis to allow staff to participate in planning and goal setting in conjunction with WIC Director. Refer employees to Benefits department when a need for a leave of absence is identified. Provide support to WIC Director on employee performance and delivery of nutrition services by completing WIC WISE File Audits, Group Class Observations and Individual Counseling Observations. Coaches and mentors Area Supervisors and RD Supervisors on management techniques and skills.

Administrative Oversight of WIC Nutrition Services and Caseload Management 45% 

In coordination with the Quality Assurance Manager, assists the WIC Director in strategic planning for the agency, including taking a leadership role in program evaluation, innovation and improvement to ensure the delivery of quality nutrition services and the maintenance of agency caseload. Monitors operational details such as productivity, scheduling, staffing and quality improvement by utilizing state and local agency reporting tools. Creates monthly clinic schedules that meet participant needs. In coordination with Health Educators, evaluates and reviews nutrition education curriculum, evaluates the effectiveness of nutrition and breastfeeding counseling and education provided by staff, conducts meetings and provides nutritional/health education to staff as needed. In coordination with Community Relations Manager, assists with activities related to outreach with the goal of reaching potential participants and increasing program participation.

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned 5%

Attendance at state and local WIC management training sessions; responsible for complying with state and local agency breastfeeding policies and competencies; special projects as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications

Knowledge & Abilities

• Knowledge of basic management practices to include providing objective feedback on performance, addressing performance problems, taking corrective action, and providing opportunities for development
• Knowledge of typical WIC job responsibilities to ensure staff are appropriately trained to perform the job duties consistent with their job descriptions
• Knowledge of clinic operations to ensure clients are served
• Knowledge of the wide variety of policies and procedures integral to the California WIC program
• Knowledge of WIC nutrition education curriculum
• Knowledge of the WIC Program and community nutrition with emphasis on maternal, infant and child needs
• Knowledge of the science and current practice of nutrition and/or dietetics
• Knowledge of the concept and theories of nutrition and /or dietetics as it relates to growth, development, health or disease
• Knowledge of nutritional and dietary assessment techniques
• Knowledge of breast feeding benefits, physiology and procedures
• Knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention
• Knowledge of adult centered learning theories as applied to nutrition and health instructional materials
• Knowledge of group and individual teaching and learning principals
• Knowledge of community-based resources and public benefits available to underprivileged and low-income people
• Knowledge and competency using MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint Outlook and internet applications
• Ability to manage employees, provide feedback on performance, evaluate progress, determine work priorities, assign work and ensure proper completion of assignments
• Ability to make sensitive and complex management decisions
• Ability to document employee relation issues and take appropriate disciplinary action when necessary
• Ability to keep others informed of work progress, timetables and issues
• Ability to assess clinic needs and delegate responsibilities
• Ability to evaluate employee performance and provide detailed feedback
• Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of the nutritional education curriculum and breastfeeding counseling education provided by staff
• Ability to provide creative problem-solving skills and exercise sound judgment to quickly evaluate situations and render prompt decisions
• Ability to provide education and guidance on nutritional and health-related problems in a sensitive, empathetic manner, observing sound nutritional practices and participant confidentiality
• Ability to facilitate group and education sessions and present nutritional information to community and professional groups
• Ability to develop educational/training plans and supporting materials
• Ability to analyze and interpret anthropometric, biochemical and clinical and dietary data
• Ability to analyze problems, gather data and information, evaluate alternative solutions and make recommendations on decisions
• Ability to work within and budget restraints, displaying flexibility, handle multiple work priorities and frequent interruptions in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to refer community resources and programs to people in need of assistance
• Ability to interact and communicate clearly and effectively in a professional manner, both orally and in writing
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of participant, employee and agency records
• Ability to arrive to work on time, understand and follow posted work rules and procedures
• Ability to relate well to others within the WIC project environment and interact effectively with coworkers
• Ability to be organized, meet deadlines, display detail orientation, good judgment and common sense
• Ability to display sensitivity to ethnically and culturally diverse individuals, communities and organizations
• Ability to work non-traditional hours to meet the needs of the position and to be available to staff during the workdays, evenings and weekends
• Ability to travel between regional site locations on a regular basis 

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, public health or related field with major coursework in nutrition.
• Six years of related work experience in WIC, social services or public health program; three of which must be in a WIC management position.

Preferred Qualifications & Special Skills

• Credentialed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). 
• 8 years of related experience working for WIC, social services or public health program(s); three of those years must be in management position.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish 

Additional Applicant Information

• Candidate must reside in California and live in a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets Employer/Title IX employer.