Nutritionist I

Other Duties Participates in community outreach efforts as assigned. Ensures program integrity. Attends and participates effectively at departmental staff meetings. Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of nutrition and food, particularly in relation to health and disease; current developments in public health nutrition and their application to the local nutrition program; benefits of breastfeeding and understanding of best practices to support the breastfeeding mother; adult learning principles, stages of change, and basic counseling methods; and basic computer skills and literacy; Windows Explorer; Microsoft Office Suite.

Skill in

Obtaining accurate anthropometric and hematological measurements; developing and building rapport to build effective working relationships with WIC participants, team members and other health and social services personnel; planning and organizing work assignments; providing client-oriented nutrition education and counseling; and presenting ideas clearly and concisely, in oral and written form.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition, Human Nutrition, Nutritional Sciences, Nutrition and Fitness, Sports Nutrition, Restaurant and Food Service Management, Foods, Family and Consumer Sciences, Human Environmental Sciences, or Home Economics; including or supplemented by at least 15 semester hours in Foods and Nutrition from a 4-year program including at least one course in Diet Therapy or Medical Nutrition Therapy I & II and one course in Community Nutrition or Nutrition in the Life Cycle/Life Cycle Nutrition; or

A master's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health Nutrition, Human Nutrition, Nutrition Education, or Dietetics, including or supplemented by at least 15 graduate or undergraduate semester hours in Foods and Nutrition from a 4-year program including at least one course in Diet Therapy or Medical Nutrition Therapy I & II and one course in Community Nutrition or Nutrition in the Life Cycle/Life Cycle Nutrition; or

Completion of an undergraduate curriculum accredited or approved by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) resulting in a verification statement from a Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics; or

Completion of a dietetic internship program accredited or approved by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) resulting in a verification statement from an Internship Program in Nutrition and Dietetics; or

Registered Dietitian (RD), Licensed Dietitian (LD) in the state of Missouri (registration or current eligibility for registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR).

Experience

No prior experience is required.

Licenses and Certifications

Possess and maintain a valid state issued driver’s license. Registered Dietitian must be a Licensed Dietitian in the State of Missouri prior to employment and maintain license throughout employment. Nutritionists must complete the established minimum continuing education in nutrition and breastfeeding annually throughout employment as a condition of employment. Successful completion of state approved training must occur within timeframes designated by the State agency.

• Physical Demands Requirements and Working Conditions This is primarily an office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person, in a classroom setting and over the telephone.
• Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
• Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Employees work in an office environment with moderate to high noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Employees may interact with upset members of the public or their representatives while enforcing departmental policies and procedures.