The State of Florida
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION PROGRAM DIRECTOR
The State of Florida, Sebring, Florida, United States, 33876
Requisition No:
836744 Agency:
Department of Health Working Title:
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION PROGRAM DIRECTOR - 64001102 Pay Plan:
Career Service Position Number:
64001102 Salary:
$70,000 - $75,000 Posting Closing Date:
01/10/2026
This individual will be responsible for all supervisory duties including, but not limited to, hiring and selection, developing performance plans, conducting performance appraisals, planning, and directing their work, approving leave, and taking disciplinary action as appropriate. The incumbent, Health Nutrition Program Director, is an employee of the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Highlands County, representing the agency and its mission and values. The incumbent is part of the organization and is expected to promote cooperation, courtesy, and teamwork in a diverse environment. This position will also be required to travel to the Lake Placid or Avon Park offices.
Supervisor Responsibilities: This position spends the majority of the time engaged in supervisory responsibilities. This includes communicating with, motivating, training, and evaluating employees in addition to planning and directing employees' work. The incumbent has the authority to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, or discipline subordinate employees or effectively recommend such action. The incumbent will also be required to develop performance expectations, meet with staff regularly to discuss performance, complete performance reviews, maintain vacation and work schedules, ensuring proper coverage, and complete timesheets.
Operations: This is work providing direct services, supervising nutrition and/or one or more nonprofessional staff, and coordinating the Special Supplemental Food Program for women, Infants, and children (WIC) with the Highlands County Health Department (CHD). Provides nutrition assessment and counseling to WIC participants. Determines nutrition risk/eligibility criteria for applicants and prepares high risk care plans as needed. Provides excellent customer service, phone etiquette and complaint management as defined by the Highlands CHD All Staff Standards of Performance Internal Operating Procedure (IOP).
Monitors the WIC Program per specified objectives and/or federal, state, and county rules and regulations. Plans, promotes, coordinates, implements, and evaluates the WIC program countywide. Analyzes public health statistics and community needs, to develop nutrition objectives and project priorities. Assesses the existing objectives and begins new objectives based on identified needs within monetary constraints. Ensures all program requirements are met.
Prepares and administers the WIC budget, prepares reimbursement documents for county health department trust fund. Independently orders special formula and complies with the Prompt Compliance Payment Section 215.422, Florida Statutes & Chapter 691-24, Florida Administrative Code; recruits, employs, assigns, and manages WIC program personnel and recommends transfers, promotions, and separation from service, assures ongoing training for employees, plans, and directs work for supervisors, senior nutrition staff and other support staff; assures good communication through regular supervisor and staff meetings.
Assists with the integration of WIC services with other county health department programs and community agencies. Participates in the formulation of policies and procedures as well as the process of implementation throughout the county health department. Ensures compliance with the current FDOH security policies by fulfilling information custodian responsibilities for the assigned data set.
Serves as nutrition advisor for the county and community agencies. Serves on community councils, committees, and collaborates with organizations to represent and support WIC, nutrition, and public health services provided by the department. Ensures the promotion of WIC and nutrition programs through various public relations activities. Notifies the public and agencies serving potential WIC clients of significant program changes. Responsible for initiating outreach activities and ensuring referrals from other social service programs are properly addressed.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge: Knowledge of the science and current practice of nutrition or dietetics. Knowledge of the concepts and theories of nutrition or dietetics as it relates to growth, development, health, or disease. Knowledge of nutritional and dietary assessment techniques. Knowledge of the methods of compiling, organizing, and analyzing data. Skills: Skill in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and computer navigation. Skill in determining nutrition related needs of clients and how to respond to those needs. Skill in analyzing and explaining rules, regulations, laws, policies, and standards. Abilities: Ability to use various communication channels to provide education/training to audiences of varying literacy and comprehension levels. Ability to perform supervisory duties to include, but not limited to recruitment, training, discipline, and timely approval of EARs and timesheets. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to learn and navigate FL WiSE computer application. Ability to plan, organize, and evaluate a nutrition program or project. Ability to learn and remain in compliance with all Florida Department of Health policies and internal operating procedures, Florida Statutes, and WIC Procedure Manual DHM 150-24, while completing job duties. Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.
Licensure/registration/certification requirements: Incumbent must possess a Florida Dietitian/Nutritionist License. Incumbent must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License. Incumbent must possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a U.S. accredited University or College in Nutrition Sciences, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, or Public Health Nutrition.
Where You Will Work: Florida Department of Health – Highlands County 7205 S George Blvd Sebring, FL 33875
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: Annual and Sick Leave benefits. Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year. State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options. Retirement plan options, including employer contributions. Flexible Spending Accounts. Tuition waivers. And more! For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
Please be advised: Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.
This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration.
The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.
Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287).
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735).
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE:
Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
836744 Agency:
Department of Health Working Title:
PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITION PROGRAM DIRECTOR - 64001102 Pay Plan:
Career Service Position Number:
64001102 Salary:
$70,000 - $75,000 Posting Closing Date:
01/10/2026
This individual will be responsible for all supervisory duties including, but not limited to, hiring and selection, developing performance plans, conducting performance appraisals, planning, and directing their work, approving leave, and taking disciplinary action as appropriate. The incumbent, Health Nutrition Program Director, is an employee of the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Highlands County, representing the agency and its mission and values. The incumbent is part of the organization and is expected to promote cooperation, courtesy, and teamwork in a diverse environment. This position will also be required to travel to the Lake Placid or Avon Park offices.
Supervisor Responsibilities: This position spends the majority of the time engaged in supervisory responsibilities. This includes communicating with, motivating, training, and evaluating employees in addition to planning and directing employees' work. The incumbent has the authority to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, or discipline subordinate employees or effectively recommend such action. The incumbent will also be required to develop performance expectations, meet with staff regularly to discuss performance, complete performance reviews, maintain vacation and work schedules, ensuring proper coverage, and complete timesheets.
Operations: This is work providing direct services, supervising nutrition and/or one or more nonprofessional staff, and coordinating the Special Supplemental Food Program for women, Infants, and children (WIC) with the Highlands County Health Department (CHD). Provides nutrition assessment and counseling to WIC participants. Determines nutrition risk/eligibility criteria for applicants and prepares high risk care plans as needed. Provides excellent customer service, phone etiquette and complaint management as defined by the Highlands CHD All Staff Standards of Performance Internal Operating Procedure (IOP).
Monitors the WIC Program per specified objectives and/or federal, state, and county rules and regulations. Plans, promotes, coordinates, implements, and evaluates the WIC program countywide. Analyzes public health statistics and community needs, to develop nutrition objectives and project priorities. Assesses the existing objectives and begins new objectives based on identified needs within monetary constraints. Ensures all program requirements are met.
Prepares and administers the WIC budget, prepares reimbursement documents for county health department trust fund. Independently orders special formula and complies with the Prompt Compliance Payment Section 215.422, Florida Statutes & Chapter 691-24, Florida Administrative Code; recruits, employs, assigns, and manages WIC program personnel and recommends transfers, promotions, and separation from service, assures ongoing training for employees, plans, and directs work for supervisors, senior nutrition staff and other support staff; assures good communication through regular supervisor and staff meetings.
Assists with the integration of WIC services with other county health department programs and community agencies. Participates in the formulation of policies and procedures as well as the process of implementation throughout the county health department. Ensures compliance with the current FDOH security policies by fulfilling information custodian responsibilities for the assigned data set.
Serves as nutrition advisor for the county and community agencies. Serves on community councils, committees, and collaborates with organizations to represent and support WIC, nutrition, and public health services provided by the department. Ensures the promotion of WIC and nutrition programs through various public relations activities. Notifies the public and agencies serving potential WIC clients of significant program changes. Responsible for initiating outreach activities and ensuring referrals from other social service programs are properly addressed.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge: Knowledge of the science and current practice of nutrition or dietetics. Knowledge of the concepts and theories of nutrition or dietetics as it relates to growth, development, health, or disease. Knowledge of nutritional and dietary assessment techniques. Knowledge of the methods of compiling, organizing, and analyzing data. Skills: Skill in Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and computer navigation. Skill in determining nutrition related needs of clients and how to respond to those needs. Skill in analyzing and explaining rules, regulations, laws, policies, and standards. Abilities: Ability to use various communication channels to provide education/training to audiences of varying literacy and comprehension levels. Ability to perform supervisory duties to include, but not limited to recruitment, training, discipline, and timely approval of EARs and timesheets. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Ability to learn and navigate FL WiSE computer application. Ability to plan, organize, and evaluate a nutrition program or project. Ability to learn and remain in compliance with all Florida Department of Health policies and internal operating procedures, Florida Statutes, and WIC Procedure Manual DHM 150-24, while completing job duties. Ability to process and handle confidential information with discretion.
Licensure/registration/certification requirements: Incumbent must possess a Florida Dietitian/Nutritionist License. Incumbent must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License. Incumbent must possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a U.S. accredited University or College in Nutrition Sciences, Community Nutrition, Clinical Nutrition, Dietetics, or Public Health Nutrition.
Where You Will Work: Florida Department of Health – Highlands County 7205 S George Blvd Sebring, FL 33875
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida: Annual and Sick Leave benefits. Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year. State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options. Retirement plan options, including employer contributions. Flexible Spending Accounts. Tuition waivers. And more! For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
Please be advised: Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.
This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration.
The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.
Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287).
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735).
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE:
Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr