nutrition educator

Requisition No:

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: NUTRITION EDUCATOR

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number:

Salary:  $49,615.58 

Posting Closing Date: 12/14/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Job posting category Internal

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is a highly skilled professional position which requires an expert understanding of the Federal WIC & Nutrition Program and the use of the WIC FL-WiSE system with minimal supervision. Maintains current knowledge of the Federal WIC program regulations including WIC memos, WIC data system guide and the DOH manual Having successfully completed the Nutrition Education Series of the Florida Nutrition Training Guide Modules, will provide quality nutrition care to WIC participants in compliance with the Federal Regulations. The incumbent is expected to promote cooperation, courtesy, and teamwork, in a diverse environment and as an employee of the Department of Health in Alachua County, represents the agency and its mission and values. Maintains courteous and cooperative relationship with staff and the public. Actively supports increasing monthly WIC participation rate through exceptional customer service, implementing strategies to increase service delivery, implementing, and supporting WIC and DOH policies and procedures.

Complete Nutrition Assessment for all low and high-risk WIC clients to provide client-centered nutrition services. Documents Nutrition Care Plan and identified nutrition risks using a standardized process. Provides VENA cased nutrition assessment and counseling utilizing appropriate educational materials. Assess client's readiness to change and help client chose appropriate goal(s). Make referrals for appropriate health and social services. Established appropriate number of subsequent individual nutrition education contacts. Evaluates and revises nutrition care plan as needed. Attends in-service on the Nutrition Education Kit and provides interactive nutrition education contacts to low risk participants. Inputs the nutrition service code in the data system. Maintains documentation of participant goal setting. Promotes breastfeeding education.  Assists clerical staff as necessary.  Disburses VOC/ID cards following standard procedure to eligible WIC participants. Records the necessary information on VOC/ID cards. Loads benefits into WIC EBT account for household.  Reviews all data for accuracy and completeness. Appropriately documents all attempts and successful contacts with WIC clients.  Assists the supervisor with training of staff. Refers vendor questions to the vendor manager and client concerns to the supervisor.

Obtains accurate data on height and weight measurements on participants. Performs hematocrit/hemoglobin testing and records results electronically.  Responsible for biochemical procedures located in the WIC Procedure Manual DHM regarding equipment, requirements, periodicity schedule and exceptions.  Cleans equipment and area where blood work is done daily.  Maintains "universal precautions" when completing HST duties. Follows established guidelines and standards for safety in handling equipment, biological specimens, and waste products to prevent exposure to blood borne pathogens. Accurately completes the lab/anthropometrics screens in the electronic data system. Maintains and inventories all medical supplies.

Collects data for the end-of-day and end-of-month reports as assigned and submits same to the supervisor on a timely basis. Assists with inventories for WIC formula, equipment, and educational resources. Submits reports within the require timeframe.  Assists with QI/QA activities to support the success of WIC, including completing monthly client high risk report, and other monthly comprehensive chart reviews for quality assurance.  Assist nutrition supervisors with data collection for biannual nutrition plan and audit activities. 

Valid Driver's License required to drive county/state vehicles to assigned clinic daily.  Follow all procedures listed in Vehicle Operation Policy (DOHP

-Accurately and completely fill out DH1345 for each trip

-Responsible for fueling vehicles, maintaining vehicle cleanliness, etc

- Report any maintenance issues for vehicles immediately to administration staff

Responsible for securing the designated information sets for the purpose of protecting confidentiality, data integrity and appropriate access for all information both confidential and public record, which is stored in hard copy or electronic formats. Completes EARS and timesheets on a weekly basis and completes certification. Completes mandatory staff meetings, and trainings as designated by State, Federal, WIC, and local authority by deadline assigned.

Performs all other duties as required

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the current science and practice of food and nutrition, dietetics or food service. Knowledge of normal nutrition principles and food needs throughout life cycle. Knowledge of meal planning, food budgeting and purchasing. Ability to provide nutrition education to others in groups or individual instruction. Ability to determine nutritional needs and develop nutrition education plans for individuals who are not at medical high nutritional risk. Ability to educate individuals and families about food and nutritional needs. Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner. Ability to maintain effective customer service skills in stressful situations. Ability to prioritize, organize, and schedule work assignments. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to lift 15-20 lbs. 

Qualifications:

Minimum - WIC federal regulations (Part require a Competent Professional Authority to have a bachelor's or master's degree in Nutritional Sciences, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, Public Health Nutrition or Home Economics with emphasis in Nutrition

Preferred – A minimum of 1 year experience providing nutrition education..

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

DOH-Alachua 224 se 24TH Street Gainesville FL 32641

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click );

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit 

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website:  

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section , F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section , F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.