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.

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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

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Current State WIC Office Job Openings

• WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) Coordinator
• WIC Eastbrook Training Clinic Registered Dietician
• WIC Eastbrook Training Clinic Dietician
• WIC Nutrition Education and Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment (VENA) Coordinator

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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

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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
• In the Availability section, please include #95-Statewide as one of your selections. This ensures all supervisors within Alabama's WIC Program are able to view your application and make referrals to local WIC staff based on your home address.
• 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.

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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

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