NUTRITION SPECIALIST (EVALUATION SPECIALIST) - 40009112

Durham County Government employs approximately 1,900 employees that work towards providing needed services throughout the community. With a wide array of services, Durham County Government is at the heart of a rapidly growing and diverse area offering residents, employees and visitors exciting opportunities to live, work, grow and play. For more information about Durham County Government, visit www.dconc.gov.

**THIS POSITION IS PROVISIONALLY (GRANT) FUNDED AND SUBJECT TO CONTINUED FUNDING. RENEWAL OF FUNDING IS ANTICIPATED BUT NOT GUARANTEED**

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This is a SNAP-Ed grant funded, full-time position aimed at coordinating and providing nutrition education to elementary school students. This position serves as the DINE evaluation specialist, developing program evaluation tools, conducting data analysis and preparing reports.

Some early morning, evening, and weekend work will be required. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Plan and provide community group nutrition education to elementary school-age children targeting a culturally diverse population through classroom lessons, hands-on culinary-based after-school programs, health fairs, taste tests, and school-wide promotions.

• Distribute nutrition education to target audience through written materials such as newsletters, website postings and bulletin boards, in addition to lessons taught in the classroom and in the community.

• Work with schools and other groups to facilitate policy, systems and environmental (PSE) changes in schools, cafeterias, and community sites by building collaborative support for such changes that aim to make it easier for students to choose nutritious foods and be physically active.

• Develop and conduct ongoing program needs assessment and outcome evaluation.

• Assist with developing curriculum for use in elementary school programming.

• Oversee evaluation of the DINE program.

• Consult with team members to develop evaluation tools, conduct evaluation, and analyze outcome data for each program component. 

• Use outcomes to help design improvements to program components.

• Prepare required documentation for funding agencies.

• Develop materials that showcase DINE program outcomes.

• Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of nutrition and public health;

• Understanding of how to assess community needs and assets and to plan programs based on that assessment;

• Working knowledge of data sources related to public health nutrition;

• Skills in software to collect and evaluate outcome data;

• Proficiency in conducting and interpreting program and performance evaluations;

• Understanding of curriculum development and evaluation;

• Ability to apply research findings and national health/nutrition practice recommendations into public health programming;

• Ability to work independently and with a team;

• Excellent customer service skills and attitude;

• Flexibility;

• Ability to plan and conduct continuing education programs for nutrition administrators, directors, supervisors, and staff;

• Time management skills;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in dietetics or foods and nutrition and two years of nutrition/dietitian work experience.

SPECIAL LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS

Registered Dietitian (RD or RDN) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (LDN) by the North Carolina Board of Dietetics and Nutrition.

*Note: Must submit copy of RD and LDN cards with application. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with program evaluation

• Experience working with the elementary school student population (grades K-5)

• Bilingual in Spanish

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities.  Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accomodations with management.

To further the mission of the Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) to partner with our community to advance health equity, protect the environment, and promote health and wellness for all, DCoDPH is implementing the employee vaccination and tuberculosis screening policies. All DCoDPH employees are considered healthcare personnel (HCP) working in a health care setting with the potential for exposure to patients and/or infectious materials and, therefore, are required to comply and provide documented proof of the following:

• Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) vaccination/immunity 
• Varicella-Zoster Virus (Chicken Pox) vaccination/immunity 
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
• Tuberculosis (TB) baseline screening within the last twelve (12) months prior to employment
• Hepatitis B vaccination/immunity – only required for DCoDPH employees with potential Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) exposures.

Identified DCoDPH HCP with potential Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) exposure have an additional requirement for the Hepatitis B vaccination. Required vaccination, serological testing to determine immunity, and baseline tuberculosis screening are available for all Public Health employees who elect to become DCoDPH patients upon request and at no cost.

Proof of vaccination and tuberculosis screening must be provided to Human Resources within seven (7) business days prior to the date of employment.

Durham County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer