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Career Opportunities
- What is WIC?
- WIC as a Career Opportunity
- Current State WIC Office Job Openings
- What Does a WIC Nutritionist Do?
- What Does a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Do?
- Contact Information
What is WIC?
WIC is a special supplemental nutrition program for pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding women; infants; and children up to 5 years of age. To qualify for WIC benefits, applicants must be income-eligible and have an identified nutrition risk. Congress began funding WIC in 1974.
For those who qualify for the program, WIC provides nutritional assessment, counseling, and education; specific foods high in protein, iron, calcium and vitamin A and C; and referral to health care and social services.
WIC Works!
WIC is a gateway to good health. The WIC Program has earned the reputation of being one of the most successful federally-funded nutrition programs in the United States.
Collective findings of studies, reviews and reports demonstrate that WIC:
- Improves birth outcomes and savings in health care costs;
- Improves diet and diet-related outcomes;
- Improves infant feeding practices;
- Improves cognitive development;
- Improves preconceptional nutritional status; and
- Results in better overall health care, such as earlier prenatal care, increased immunization, and regular source of health care.
WIC as a Career Opportunity
WIC offers:
- Participation in an effective and dynamic program.
- Job diversity - counselor, manager, educator, consultant
- Career mobility and advancement positions both in Alabama and nationwide.
- Full-time and part-time positions
- Excellent Alabama state employee benefits
- Cost of living and merit system pay increases.
- Annual leave and sick leave
- Retirement benefits
- Networking with other healthcare and community professionals
- On-going client relationships than enable you to see positive changes in behavioral and health status.
- Expanding horizons and exposure to people of varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
- Specialist positions (example: breastfeeding coordinator)
- Local, state and national continuing education opportunities
Current State WIC Office Job Openings
What Does a WIC Nutritionist Do?
Individual Nutrition Counseling
- Prenatal Nutrition
- Breastfeeding Promotion and Support
- Healthy Food Choices
- Infant Feeding
- High-risk Pregnancies
- Special Needs Children
Nutrition Education
- Agency Nutrition Plans
- Lesson Plan Development
- Nutrition Classes and Demos
- Breastfeeding Support Classes
Material Development
- Pamphlets
- Posters
- Newsletters
- Videos
Coordination with Other Health Care and Community Services
- Advisory Committees
- Referral Networks
- Program Outreach
Program Management
- Budget Planning
- Caseload Management
- Grant Writing
- Staff Supervision and Training
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
What is a WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor?
-
A Breastfeeding Peer Counselor is a paraprofessional support person who gives basic breastfeeding information, education, support, and encouragement to pregnant and breastfeeding WIC mothers.
What Does a Peer Counselor Do?
- Receives a caseload of WIC mothers and makes routine, periodic contacts with all mothers assigned
- Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers, including explaining the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breastfeeding
- Helps mothers prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns
- Counsels pregnant and breastfeeding WIC mothers by telephone and/or in the WIC clinic at scheduled intervals determined by the local WIC clinic
- Is available outside of WIC clinic hours for mothers who are having breastfeeding difficulties
- Respects each mother by keeping her information strictly confidential
- Maintains accurate records of all contacts made with WIC mothers
- Refers mothers as needed according to clinic-established protocols
- Attends and assists with prenatal classes, breastfeeding classes, and support groups
- Attends monthly staff meetings and breastfeeding conferences/workshops as appropriate
- Continues education following agency-approved guidelines
- May assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects and duties
- Other duties as assigned by Supervisor(s) and/or Breastfeeding Coordinator
What Are the Qualifications?
- Has breastfed at least one baby (does not have to be currently breastfeeding)
- Is enthusiastic about breastfeeding and wants to help other mothers enjoy a positive experience
- Able to work as part of a team
- Available to work 10-20 hours a week
- High School Diploma or GED
What Training is Provided?
- Completes Levels 1 and 2 of the FNS (USDA Food and Nutrition Services) WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum
- Observes other peer counselors and breastfeeding experts helping mothers breastfeed
- Reads assigned books or materials about breastfeeding
How to Apply:
- Go to https://www.personnel.alabama.gov/Jobs
- Enter “40109” in the search box
- Click “HEALTH SPECIALIST – HOURLY”
- Print the second page, Health Specialist – Hourly – 40109 Questionnaire, and complete the questionnaire
- Click “Apply Online” in top, left hand corner of the job announcement and follow the prompts to set up an OES account & complete the application
- Once online application is submitted, print completed application
- Sign and date the printed application
- Return the application and questionnaire together to the State of Alabama Personnel Department by mail, fax, or hand delivery. See below for address & fax number.
Contact Information
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Women, Infants, and Children
www.fns.usda.gov/wic
About the Alabama WIC Program
Alabama Department of Public Health-WIC
201 Monroe Street, Suite 1300
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Post Office Box 303017
Montgomery, Alabama 36130-3017
Phone: (334) 206-5673
Fax: (334) 206-2914
About a Job Application
The State of Alabama
Personnel Department
64 North Union Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36130
Phone: (334) 242-3389
To download an application, visit The Alabama State Personnel Department.
Print and fax application to:
Personnel Department
Fax: (334) 242-1110
Page last updated: September 7, 2023