Senior Nutritionist (Promotional)

YOU MUST BE AN ALAMEDA COUNTY EMPLOYEE TO APPLY

THIS IS A NEW PROMOTIONAL ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year but can be extended. Qualified applicants must be current county employees and have completed the equivalent of six months of continuous service following a regular appointment in the Alameda County classified service (non-classified includes the District Attorney’s Office, the Medical Center, and the Superior Court) by September 14, 2014.  A regular appointment does not include provisional, TAP (Temporary Assignment Pool), or STEP-UP appointments.  

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. Applications will only be accepted on-line. Postmarks are not accepted.  Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

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. Health Care Services Agency currently has multiple career opportunities for experienced professionals to become part of a service delivery team dedicated to the optimal health and well being of Alameda County residents. 

For more information about the Health Care Services Agency, please visit the Agency's website and/or Annual Budget Document found on www.acgov.org. 

WOMEN, INFANTS & CHILDREN (WIC) SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION PROGRAM

WIC is a national nutrition education program that promotes healthy eating. Clients get nutrition advice, help with breastfeeding, and referrals to other community services. Clients also get special checks to buy healthy food items such as fruits and vegetables, milk, cheese, whole grains, cereals, pure juice, and eggs. Studies show that clients who get WIC have healthier pregnancies and healthier children. WIC serves pregnant and breastfeeding women and parents raising infants or children under the age of 5 years. Foster parents, guardians and single fathers who have custody of their children can also get WIC.  We are a staff of over 40 employees serving more than 13,000 families at offices in North and East Oakland, Hayward and Fremont. Staff work usual business hours Monday through Friday and also work one Saturday a month.    

THE POSITIONS

WIC anticipates hiring up to three Senior Nutritionists in the upcoming year.  Under general direction, Senior Nutritionists plan, organize and direct a nutrition program in the Health Care or the Social Services Agency; consult with Agency and program personnel; provide supervision and technical assistance to Nutritionists and unit staff, and perform related work as required.  Senior Nutritionists are distinguished from the lower level class of Nutritionist by their broader range of responsibility for planning and evaluating the nutrition components of health programs and their responsibility for providing technical guidance and supervision to other Nutritionists and unit staff.

IDEAL CANDIDATES

In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications stated below, ideal candidates will have demonstrated a track record of success in the following areas:

• Someone highly regarded as a technical expert with a proven track record of success as a resourceful professional that stays current with industry information, technology and trends.
• A leader who can manage work teams by instructing and advising peers and  subordinates, assigning and delegating work, and tracking and evaluating performance.
• A sound decision maker with good judgment and the ability to identify and understand complex problems, apply logical thinking to gather and analyze information, and exercise good judgment based on available data to design solutions to problems.
• A strong collaborator, adept in identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships to help achieve agency goals.
• Someone capable of planning and organizing work activities; prioritizing tasks and working on multiple projects simultaneously; and establishing a course of action for self and others to ensure that work is completed efficiently.
• A change agent who is adaptable and can lead and respond quickly to organizational changes and provide quality solutions to solve problems.
• A great communicator and listener, who is a quick and clear thinker who can articulate information to multiple forums, both verbally and in writing.

For a detailed listing of the duties and essential competency requirements for this position, please see the complete job description for Senior Nutritionist.  

These are the minimum professional requirements for the position of Senior Nutritionist:

Either Pattern I

The equivalent of two years full-time experience as a Nutritionist II in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or Pattern II

Education:  Possession of a Master's degree in nutrition, public health nutrition, or some other related field from an accredited college or university.

And

Experience:  The equivalent of three years’ full-time experience in nutrition or dietetics, which includes at least one year performing program planning and evaluation. Experience in supervision is highly desirable.

Or Pattern III

Education:  Possession of a Bachelor's degree in nutrition, public health nutrition from an accredited four-year college or university.

And 

Experience:  The equivalent of four years’ full-time experience in nutrition or dietetics, which includes at least one year performing program planning and evaluation. Experience in supervision is highly desirable.

ALL PATTERNS ALSO REQUIRE:

Promotional Requirement:  Current employment and completion by Sunday, September 14, 2014, of the equivalent of six months of continuous service following a regular appointment in the Alameda County classified service (non-classified includes the District Attorney’s Office, the Medical Center, and the Superior Court).  A regular appointment does not include provisional, TAP (Temporary Assignment Pool), or STEP-UP appointments.

License: Current registration as a Dietitian (RD) with the American Dietetic Association and possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Current principles and practices of nutrition, including nutritional requirements for diverse age, cultural or socio-economic groups.
• Anatomy, physiology, chemistry and biochemistry as it relates to nutrition.
• Accepted educational methods in health and recent research on nutrition.
• Community resources.
• Methods used to develop and direct technical, educational, and consultative programs and services in nutrition.
• Methods used to develop and implement policies and procedures to attain nutrition goals. 
• Principles of effective administrative/financial management and work organization. 
• Techniques of program planning and evaluation. 
• Methods of policy analysis. 
• Methods of data collection and analysis. 
• Management and supervision. 
• Computer applications related to the work.

Ability to:

• Plan and organize. 
• Communicate orally and in writing. 
• Provide leadership. 
• Establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.
• Manage, assign, review and evaluate the work of unit staff. 
• Train unit staff in work assignments/procedures.
• Exercise independent judgment within established policies and guidelines.

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 & Welfare Benefits

• Medical – HMO & PPO Insurance
• Dental – PPO & DHMO Insurance  
• Vision
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage) 
• County Allowance
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Short-term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan – (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan

For your Work/Life Balance

• 11 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Group Auto/Home
• 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.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.