State of Virginia
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
State of Virginia, Chesapeake, Virginia, us, 23326
Title: Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
State Role Title: Direct Service Associate II
Hiring Range: $15.46- $23.83
Pay Band: 2
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: CHESAPEAKE HQ
Agency Website: vdhweb.vdh.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
A WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Receives a caseload of WIC mothers and makes routine periodic contacts with all mothers assigned. Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, informing them about the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming barriers and getting a good start with breastfeeding. She also helps mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns. Counsels WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by telephone, home or hospital visits or at WIC clinics at schedules determined by the local WIC Program. Availability outside the WIC clinic and usual 8 to 5 working schedule to new mothers who are having breastfeeding difficulties. Respects each mother by keeping her information confidential. Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC mothers. Refers mothers according to established protocols to: WIC Nutritionist, BF Coordinator, Lactation Consultant, mother's physician or nurse, public health programs in the community, social service agencies. Attends and assists with Prenatal & BF Classes and support groups. Attends scheduled staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences, workshops and trainings as appropriate. Reads assigned books and materials on breastfeeding that are provided by the supervisor. May assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects and duties as assigned.
Wage employees are subject to the following conditions of employment:
* Wage employees serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing authority. * Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need. * Wage employees are not covered by the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act. Therefore, they are not eligible for benefits which are provided to salaried employees, such as leave credits, holiday pay, insurance, access to the grievance procedure, etc. * Wage employees are paid only for the hours they actually work. * Virginia state law currently requires that agencies not permit wage employees to work in excess of 29 hours per week on average over the course of a year. Wage employees may not work for VDH beyond 1,500 hours during the period of May 1 - April 30 of the following year (the Standard Measurement Period). * Once a wage employee works the maximum of 1,500 hours during the Standard Measurement Period, the employee may be rehired as a wage employee of VDH only after the next Standard Measurement Period has begun. * Wage employees are eligible to apply for all classified positions for which recruitment has been initiated, including those limited to State Employees Only. * If a wage employee becomes employed in a classified position, he/she will be eligible to purchase retirement credit for the time worked as a wage employee. * Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.
Minimum Qualifications
Demonstrate a Working Knowledge of:
* Basic human lactation. * Breastfeeding practices * Various positioning techniques. * Basic breastfeeding management. * Manual expression of breast milk. * Collection and storage of human milk. * Good communication skills.
Additional Considerations
* WIC Breastfeeding Counseling experience preferred but not required. * Ability to interact effectively and professionally with people from diverse cultural, socio-
economic, education, racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds: managers, co-workers and
members of the public and professional groups.
* Ability to communicate in Spanish preferred. * A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency and must adhere to VDH's driver safety policy.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service's Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!
Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.
Contact Information
Name: Natalie Newby
Phone: Please refer to email
Email: natalie.newby@vdh.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
State Role Title: Direct Service Associate II
Hiring Range: $15.46- $23.83
Pay Band: 2
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: CHESAPEAKE HQ
Agency Website: vdhweb.vdh.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
A WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information and encouragement to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Receives a caseload of WIC mothers and makes routine periodic contacts with all mothers assigned. Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, informing them about the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming barriers and getting a good start with breastfeeding. She also helps mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns. Counsels WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers by telephone, home or hospital visits or at WIC clinics at schedules determined by the local WIC Program. Availability outside the WIC clinic and usual 8 to 5 working schedule to new mothers who are having breastfeeding difficulties. Respects each mother by keeping her information confidential. Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC mothers. Refers mothers according to established protocols to: WIC Nutritionist, BF Coordinator, Lactation Consultant, mother's physician or nurse, public health programs in the community, social service agencies. Attends and assists with Prenatal & BF Classes and support groups. Attends scheduled staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences, workshops and trainings as appropriate. Reads assigned books and materials on breastfeeding that are provided by the supervisor. May assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects and duties as assigned.
Wage employees are subject to the following conditions of employment:
* Wage employees serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing authority. * Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need. * Wage employees are not covered by the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act. Therefore, they are not eligible for benefits which are provided to salaried employees, such as leave credits, holiday pay, insurance, access to the grievance procedure, etc. * Wage employees are paid only for the hours they actually work. * Virginia state law currently requires that agencies not permit wage employees to work in excess of 29 hours per week on average over the course of a year. Wage employees may not work for VDH beyond 1,500 hours during the period of May 1 - April 30 of the following year (the Standard Measurement Period). * Once a wage employee works the maximum of 1,500 hours during the Standard Measurement Period, the employee may be rehired as a wage employee of VDH only after the next Standard Measurement Period has begun. * Wage employees are eligible to apply for all classified positions for which recruitment has been initiated, including those limited to State Employees Only. * If a wage employee becomes employed in a classified position, he/she will be eligible to purchase retirement credit for the time worked as a wage employee. * Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.
Minimum Qualifications
Demonstrate a Working Knowledge of:
* Basic human lactation. * Breastfeeding practices * Various positioning techniques. * Basic breastfeeding management. * Manual expression of breast milk. * Collection and storage of human milk. * Good communication skills.
Additional Considerations
* WIC Breastfeeding Counseling experience preferred but not required. * Ability to interact effectively and professionally with people from diverse cultural, socio-
economic, education, racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds: managers, co-workers and
members of the public and professional groups.
* Ability to communicate in Spanish preferred. * A valid State Driver's License is required to operate a state vehicle or if operating a personal vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the agency and must adhere to VDH's driver safety policy.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service's Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!
Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.
Contact Information
Name: Natalie Newby
Phone: Please refer to email
Email: natalie.newby@vdh.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.