Public Health Nutrition Coordinator

Performs under the leadership of the Nutrition Program Director, functions as a member of the community health team, assessing the nutritional needs of individuals and groups within the community, and planning, coordinating, and evaluating the nutritional component of health care services. Will be responsible for the operational supervision of nutrition professionals and paraprofessional staff.  

Qualification Requirements 

Candidates must hold the credential of Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist (RD/RDN). Must also hold an active license with the North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition Moderate supervisory and/or program collaborative experience. Experience working in a community nutrition program or public health nutritional setting such as the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program highly preferred. Additionally, the ideal candidate will be proficient in oral and written communication and in use of Microsoft Office software applications (Word, Excel, SharePoint, etc.). Candidates must be able to take initiative, exercise good judgment in decision-making, adapt to change, use critical thinking skills, and be organized.  

Essential Functions 

Provide high-quality nutrition care using the Nutrition Care Process and International Dietetic and Nutrition Terminology. 

Conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments, develop and implement individualized plans of care based on nutritional needs and available resources, and evaluate and monitor progress of nutritional services provided to program participants, individuals and families with a multitude of medical conditions and nutrition concerns. 

Ensures that nutrition programs are implemented and operated in a systematic manner and in compliance with federal and state regulations. Develop, interpret, and implement policies, standards, and guidelines, identify improvement opportunities, and conduct quality assurance activities. 

Participate in advisory committees, including standing committees, ad hoc workgroups, grant reviews and special initiatives. 

Mentor, coach and supervise staff. Assess training needs, identify, and address performance issues and coordinate and/or provide appropriate training resources and opportunities. 

Communicate program goals and outcomes to internal and external stakeholders through in-services, training sessions, orientation, and outreach events. 

Assess community nutrition needs, promote, and design community programs to meet those needs; foster collaborative community partnerships. 

Performs assigned functions as a Disaster Ready Team (DRT) member, if appointed or volunteers. Other related programmatic assignments as determined by management. 

Core Competencies 

Data Analytics and Assessment 

Identifies and describes factors that affect the health of a community. 

Accesses, collects, and analyzes and manages quantitative and qualitative data using various methods and tools. 

Applies public health informatics in using data, information, and knowledge. 

Explains the importance of public health informatics for designing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services. 

Public Health Sciences 

Describes how public health sciences are used in the delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services. 

Uses evidence in developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services. 

Develops and maintains partnerships that increase use of evidence in public health practice. 

Policy Development and Program Planning Skills 

Develops and implements policies, programs, and services. 

Implements quality improvement methods and tools to improve policies, programs, services, and organizational performance. 

Identifies opportunities and influence policies, programs, and services external to the organization. 

Contributes to adjustment of organizational strategic plan for continuous improvement. 

Engages in community health improvement planning. 

Health Equity Skills 

Applies principles of ethics, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in designing, implementing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services. 

Engages in continuous self-reflection about one’s biases. 

Collaborates with the community to identify and reduce systemic and structural barriers that perpetuate health inequities. 

Implements organizational policies, programs, and services to achieve health equity and social and environmental justice. 

Contributes to achieving and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and competent public health workforce. 

Communication Skills 

Determines purposes and goals for disseminating public health data and information. 

Communicates with linguistic and cultural proficiency; tailoring messages for different audiences, using age-appropriate materials, incorporating images, using plain language, implementing CLAS Standards, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, engaging interpreters and translators. 

Seeks input from internal and external audiences, including populations served, coworkers, chambers of commerce, faith-based organizations, schools, social services organizations, health care providers, and community-based organizations. 

Fosters communication: by building trust, engaging in active listening, conducting in-person and virtual meetings, considering language and accessibility needs, being clear and transparent. 

Management and Finance Skills 

Recruits a diverse, inclusive, and competent workforce. 

Monitors workforce satisfaction. 

Engages in continuous improvement of individual performance. 

Recognizes one’s own professional development needs. 

Participates in professional development opportunities. 

Collaborates with individuals and teams to determine professional development needs. 

Develops organizational policies, programs, and services to achieve diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. 

Manages programs and services within current and projected resources. 

Engages in contingency planning. 

Applies critical thinking in decision-making. 

Engages individuals and teams to achieve program and organizational goals. 

Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills 

Collaborates with individuals and organizations to develop and implement a vision for a healthy community. 

Identifies and addresses emerging needs. 

Engages staff in the change process. 

Manages uncertainty. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

Advanced knowledge and skill in comprehensive nutrition assessment and care planning, including problem diagnosis, counseling, and evaluation of clients from diverse backgrounds and ages, who have a multitude of complex, high-risk medical needs. Advanced knowledge and skill in medical terminology, theoretical principles and practices of normal and clinical nutrition and dietetics, particularly in areas of disease pathophysiology and medical rehabilitation. Advanced, in-depth expertise in a clinical specialty area may be required. Advanced level of knowledge in case management and care coordination, health care ethics, documentation in the medical record, quality assurance, management of nutrition services. Advanced skill in interpreting nutrition standards to other health professionals and the public is needed. Advanced level of knowledge of the organization and delivery of local health administration, delivery of local services, funding methodologies and of the roles of the various members of the interdisciplinary health care team. Demonstrated ability in staff development, assuring staff accountability, and conducting personnel performance evaluations. Ability to adapt to emerging or unprecedented problems by extending accepted methods or developing new methods and interventions. Ability to justify budget requests as well as, monitor, analyze, and manage allocated resources. Basic skill in the consultant process, both as consultant and consultee. Strong knowledge of current scientific information regarding nutrition, diet, and health and the ability to relate this information to clients, professionals, and the general public. Full range of skill in conducting a nutrition education or community needs assessment. Strong ability to interpret policy and protocols into operational procedures and work priorities.  Full range of skill in organizing and coordinating the work of others. Full range of skill in presenting ideas orally and in a writing a clear, concise manner.