Washington County Public Health Division is seeking a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor to join our Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program.
The opportunity is a variable hour position with a tentative end date of 6/30/2025. The variable hour position is at-will and hours are vary each week depending on the needs, limited up to 20 hours per week. Additionally, the variable hour position is eligible for sick time accruals, but not eligible for vacation accrual, paid holiday, or other customary benefits including health insurance such as medical, dental, and vision.
About The Program
The WIC program focuses on nutrition education, breastfeeding support, health and diet screening, growth monitoring, and program referrals for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to 5 years of age. WIC serves families from diverse cultural and ethnic traditions, languages, backgrounds, and abilities. It is designed to promote positive health outcomes, strengthen life course nutrition and health, and reduce health disparities of the populations we serve.
Washington County is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve. In that spirit, we encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and experience to apply.
To find more about our program, visit: Women, Infants & Children .
About The Opportunity
In this role, you will deliver parent-to-parent support to prenatal and postpartum WIC parents by providing basic breastfeeding information and encouragement. Primary duties may include, but are not limited to:
Provide breastfeeding counseling and instruction for pregnant and breastfeeding WIC participants for an assigned peer counseling caseload on a periodic basis. Provide virtual and in-person services to help prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns.
Assist participants in exploring and addressing barriers to breastfeeding by assessing issues that may complicate breastfeeding and identifying sources of support for the participant.
Refer participants according to clinic established protocols to the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) Coordinator for follow up with appropriate community resources.
Attend and assist with prenatal classes and breastfeeding classes and support groups; and encourage participants to attend prenatal classes.
Assist participants during postpartum period in preventing common concerns and identifying breastfeeding problems for appropriate referral to the BFPC Coordinator.
Assist participants in maintaining breastfeeding by suggesting ways to incorporate breastfeeding into daily routines; counsel on methods of maintaining milk production and breast pump usage.
Maintain various records and chart notes; record advice given to WIC participants; and document methods and reasons for referrals in participants’ files.
Assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects; promote and support activities within the community including outreach with mother/infant programs, physician offices, hospitals, and local coalitions.
This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule including 3-4 days of remote work. When required to work in-person at the work sites/offices, this position may report and travel to multiple WIC sites located in Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Tigard.
An Ideal Candidate Would Have
Experience in counseling and providing breastfeeding information or education to WIC participants.
Training or experience in the WIC Program (Current/past WIC participants).
Ability to speak, read and write in Spanish fluently is preferred.
Ability to represent Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) communities and/or familiarity of WIC services.
Training and experience with participant-centered counseling and assessment techniques for culturally diverse participants.
Experience in delivering trainings, presentations, and/or public speaking.
Direct breastfeeding experience or formal lactation education.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may come from a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role, even if you believe you do not meet all the hiring criteria described above.
Why Washington County?
Are you interested in challenging, meaningful, and rewarding work? Join Washington County in our commitment to advancing racial equity. Our Board of Commissioners worked closely with various community stakeholders and subject matter experts to develop an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Resolution . Adopted in February 2020, this resolution commits to the equitable delivery of Washington County’s services, resources, and opportunities for growth and development to every county resident.
Essential Job Duties
Classification descriptions are typically written broadly. To review this classification, please use this link: WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor .
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent; AND One year of knowledge and experience with breastfeeding.
Preferred Qualifications:
Spanish bilingual skills preferred.
Background Investigation:
Please be advised that this position is required to pass a criminal background check post offer.
Please be clear and specific in the applicable sections of the employment application about how your background is relevant. This information must also be consistent with your supplemental question responses. Please note: Answers to the supplemental questions are typically evaluated separately from your application.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Washington County is committed to using a Merit-based System in which recruiting, selecting, and advancing employees is based on their relative knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Our Commitment To You
Washington County values a culture of equity, diverse perspectives, and life experiences. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration and work-life harmony. We offer job stability, a comprehensive benefits package, and an opportunity to serve and support our diverse community. We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity and an inclusive workforce. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Steps Of The Process
Apply today! In lieu of a resume, we ask that you complete and submit an online application, which will be used to screen for minimum qualifications (MQs) and to determine starting pay in accordance with the provision of the Oregon Equal Pay Law.
MQ Review: Human Resources will screen applications for MQs beginning the week after the posting closes. Additional preferred qualification(s) screening may be applied depending on the number of applications received.
Panel Interview(s): Candidates who pass the MQ review will be invited to participate in a panel interview.
Conditional Offer: A final candidate is required to successfully clear a third-party background check as a condition of pre-employment.
Please note: candidates that are successful in the evaluation process may have their applications referred for additional vacancies in the same classification, or job family.
Status Of Your Application
You will be advised by e-mail of your status at each step in the application process, from initial application to final employment disposition. Please note that Washington County communicates with all candidates via email. If you "opt out" or "unsubscribe" from email notifications from NEOGOV it will impact our ability to communicate with you about job postings.
Veterans' Preference
If you are a Veteran and would like to be considered for a Veterans' preference for this recruitment, please review the instructions using this link: Veterans' Preference Points.
Accommodation Under The Americans With Disabilities Act
Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in the selection process for this recruitment. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-846-8606, or e-mail: Careers@washingtoncountyor.gov at least 48 hours before any step in the recruitment and selection process for which you feel you need accommodation.
Questions (?) Regarding This Recruitment
Yeji Seo, Talent Acquisition Business Partner
Yeji_Seo@washingtoncountyor.gov
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