The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) employs Nutritionists in multiple positions across the state. Nutritionists are responsible for providing health assessments, counseling, and nutrition education in various programs around the state.
One such program is the Alabama Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. WIC is a supplemental nutrition program that serves pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and women who had a baby within the last six months, as well as infants and children under the age of five.
WIC Nutritionists meet with and complete assessments on eligible persons wanting WIC services. They also work with WIC participants to identify goals, provide nutrition education, and provide referrals to other health and social services.
"A WIC Nutritionist should have compassion for others and a desire to help," said Pam Galloway, nutrition services director for the Alabama WIC Program. She also noted the need for good time management and communication skills, the ability to get along with others, and the skills to read their audience and adjust counseling techniques to meet the needs of individuals.
ADPH's Nutrition and Physical Activity (NPA) Division works to increase the number of Alabamians who have access to and embrace healthy choices as their normal way of life through nutrition, food security, and physical activity. Nutritionists play a vital role in the Division's efforts.
"Nutritionists work with community leaders, state agencies, advocacy groups, schools, and community organizations on policies, system changes, and environmental changes that support better nutrition choices, food access, and healthy lifestyles," said NPA Director Molly Killman. She said NPA Nutritionists should be comfortable speaking with individuals, groups, and the media, as they often represent ADPH in working with other agencies and organizations to identify statewide needs and the way those needs can be met.
Qualifications for Nutritionist positions vary. The minimum requirement is a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Nutrition, Foods and Nutrition, or Community Nutrition. Additional requirements can be found in the various State of Alabama Personnel Department position announcements listed at the bottom of this article.
"Nutritionists for ADPH are individuals that enjoy interacting with the public to provide nutrition education and support healthy environments as a way to improve health behaviors and health outcomes," Killman said.
Galloway said nutritionists are vital to ADPH's overall mission of promoting, protecting, and improving Alabama's health. "Healthier individuals results in healthier communities," she said.
Those interested in applying should visit the following State of Alabama Personnel Department position announcements for requirements and instructions.
For additional information on current Alabama WIC job openings, visit WIC Career Opportunities.
For more information on employment opportunities with ADPH, visit our Office of Human Resources.