Breastfeeding Peer Counselor – Clarke/Jackson Full Time

Pay Grade: TPW

Job Code: T1402

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Who We Are. We protect lives. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the lead agency entrusted by the people of Georgia to protect lives and promote healthy lifestyles in communities throughout the state. We are committed to preventing disease, injury, and disability; promoting health and well-being; and preparing for and responding to disasters.

What We Offer. As a member of the DPH team, you will join a group of passionate individuals dedicated to serving Georgians. Regardless of your role, you will contribute to protecting lives while enjoying a wide range of benefits.

• Make a Professional Impact – Build your career where it matters and protect lives in the community where you live, work, and play.
• Enjoy Workplace Flexibility – Experience flexibility in how you work so you can be your best self for you and the people of Georgia.
• Work with a Dynamic and Diverse Team – Collaborate with employees who share ideas and leverage collective strengths.
• Achieve Career Longevity – Take advantage of opportunities for learning and development that support a long-term career.
• Take Part in a Hands-on Working Culture – Work in a unique culture of active engagement and problem-solving, no matter your role.
• Feel Pride in Where you Work – Be part of making an impact in public health alongside dedicated people just like yourself.

A WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a part time, hourly paraprofessional staff person who is enthusiastic and positive about breastfeeding. The enthusiastic candidate needs to have a desire to help other mothers have a positive experience by providing basic breastfeeding information, encouragement, and support to pregnant and breastfeeding women participating in the WIC program. This position works directly under the direction and supervision of the WIC Assistant Nutrition Services Director. We are looking to hire a counselor for Clarke and Jackson Counties. Must be a previous or current WIC participant.

As a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor within the WIC Department at the Georgia Department of Public Health, you will join a dedicated group of public health professionals that help support the overall mission and vision of protecting lives of Georgia residents in a variety of ways.

Job Responsibilities

• Counsels and gives breastfeeding information and support to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, including the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breastfeeding. Help breastfeeding mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns within the correct scope of practice.
• Completes peer counselor competency checklist, Northeast Health District required peer counselor training, and the state WIC office required Breastfeeding Training Curriculum prior to counseling participants alone.
• Receives a caseload of WIC participants and makes routine contact with all participants per WIC Program policy and procedures.
• Is available to WIC clients at clinic visits and by telephone during regular health department hours, weekends, holidays, and outside the standard 8am-5pm work schedule. May make home visits and hospital visits per WIC client request.
• Maintains accurate records of all contacts made with WIC participants by entering contact information in the GA-WIC and Peer Counselor Database systems per policy.
• Respects each client by keeping all participant information confidential.
• Refers WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to community resources as needed.
• Attends, assists and/or facilitates breastfeeding support groups and classes.
• Attends monthly breastfeeding peer counselor meetings.
• Assists WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects, such as World Breastfeeding Week, and duties as assigned by the Lead Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and WIC Assistant Nutrition Services Director.
• Issues breast pump and breastfeeding supplies as appropriate per WIC Program policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Has breastfed at least one baby for a minimum period of 6 months.
• Is a current or former WIC participant.
• Is available for working a minimum of 10 hours per week; must be available to work 8 hours in a designated Health Department each week. This is not a remote position.
• Has reliable transportation.
• Has good communication skills. Is able to read and write English.
• Has basic computer skills.

No phone calls, applications accepted ONLINE ONLY through the link posted.

Additional Information

The DPH Commissioner and agency leaders encourage all employees to engage in regular wellness activities and to make lifestyle choices that promote health and well-being.

The use of physical activity breaks during the workday is authorized to support this philosophy and help employees meet their wellness goals. A maximum of 30 minutes of physical activity may be allocated per workday, typically in the form of two 15-minute breaks or one 30-minute break.

Employment Information

State of Georgia employees are subject to the rules of the State Personnel Board regarding salary.

DPH accepts educational credentials recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) as valid. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degrees, diplomas, licensures, and other relevant credentials.

The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.

Relocation assistance is not provided.

In the event of an identified emergency, you may be required, as a term and condition of DPH employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.

ADA Statement

DPH is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process, email DPH-HR@dph.ga.gov.

DPH is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not receive an interview. DPH will contact selected applicants to proceed with the application process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.

This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.

Benefits

Standard Benefits for Full-Time Salaried Employees

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package that includes a flexible schedule, training opportunities, health insurance, employee retirement plan (ERS GSEPS), deferred compensation, 13 paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, paid parental leave, dental, vision, long-term care, and life insurance.

Standard Benefits For Part-Time Employees

Part-time employees are eligible to participate in the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan