General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Public Health
HOURS: Up to 10 hours per week
HIRING RANGE: $19.94 - $22.43/hourly (Salary Grade 104)
LOCATION: Western Service Center, Apple Valley
UNION: Non-union
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 2/22/2023

Dakota County offers rewarding career opportunities that make a real difference in people’s lives. From maintaining roads to maintaining property records, protecting the environment to protecting our children’s health, finding homes for those in need to finding justice for crime victims — the work we do touches the lives of each of our residents every day. We’re proud of what we do. You can be too. Join our team of nearly 2,000 and launch a career where you can truly “Be More.” We offer more than just careers that make a difference; we also offer competitive benefits, work life balance, and convenient work locations. Will you be the next person to join us at Dakota County?

A Breast/Chestfeeding Peer Counselor for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a paraprofessional support person who provides basic breast/chestfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breast/chestfeeding participants. Peer counselors are individuals who have personal experience with breast/chestfeeding and are trained to provide basic lactation information and support others with whom they share or have shared socioeconomic status, language, and/or race or ethnicity. Peer counselors reinforce breast/chestfeeding recommendations in a socially and culturally appropriate context and promote breast/chestfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the child; and perform related duties as assigned.

Peers will work primarily from home; however, on occasion will need to attend meetings, trainings, and meet with clients within the office or community. Peers should have the ability to dedicate uninterrupted time to talk with clients on the phone when it is most convenient to both the peer and client. The county will provide a cellular phone for use during client calls and the peer must have reliable transportation to attend trainings and meetings as scheduled

Minimum Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent GED
• Has breast/chestfed at least one baby (does not have to be currently breast/chestfeeding).
• Is enthusiastic about breast/chestfeeding and wants to help others enjoy a positive experience.
• Can work up to 10 hours per week.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to speak a language, other than English, that is prevalent in the community E.g. Spanish, Somali, etc.)
• Past or present participant of a WIC program.

Duties & Responsibilities

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

• 
  Complete WIC breast/chestfeeding training to become a peer counselor.
• Receive a caseload of WIC participants and makes routine periodic contacts with all participants assigned.
• Provide basic breast/chestfeeding information and support to new parents, including telling them about the benefits of breast/chestfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breast/chestfeeding. Helps participants prevent and handle common breast/chestfeeding concerns.
• Counsel WIC pregnant and breast/chestfeeding individuals by telephone, in WIC clinic, home visits, and/or hospital visits at scheduled intervals determined by the local WIC Program.
• Is available outside the usual 8 - 4:30 p.m. working schedule to new parents who are having breast/chestfeeding problems.
• Respect participants by keeping their information strictly confidential.
• Keep accurate records of all contacts made with WIC participants.
• Attend and assist with prenatal classes and breast/chestfeeding support groups.
• Attend monthly staff meetings and breast/chestfeeding conferences/workshops as appropriate.
• Continue education following agency-approved guidelines.
• Read assigned books and materials on breast/chestfeeding that are provided by the supervisor.
• May assist WIC staff in promoting breast/chestfeeding peer counseling through special projects and duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates a commitment to support cultural diversity and health equity at the County and within the community.
• Refer participants, according to clinic-established protocols, to:

• WIC Nutrition Staff
• Local agency breastfeeding coordinator
• WIC Designated Breastfeeding Expert
• Other community resources following agency-approved protocols

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Ability to provide services in a professional manner and respect confidentiality.
• Knowledge of data privacy
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to recognize situations that are beyond their scope of responsibility and refer them to program supervisor or when delegated the program coordinator
• Ability to competently use technology needed to perform the functions of the job.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for the diversity of customers, co-workers, and supervisors, including individuals with a disability or whose first language may be other than English.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed at home, in a county office building and in the community throughout Dakota County. Travel and reliable transportation is required. Types of equipment used includes: telephone, laptop computer, fax machine, and audiovisual equipment. Lifting requirements up to 20 Lbs. on a daily basis with occasional bending/stooping and other physical activities.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware working environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

SELECTION PROCESS: The examination/selection process for this classification will consist of a rating of your training and experience from the application materials submitted. The top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.