Buddy Program Specialist

DescriptionThis is a part time position, located in Lowndes County, Georgia.Come join the team that's changing the face of Public Health, improving the health of Georgia one community at a time. Making a difference in the health of our communities is our passion. Entrusted with the ultimate responsibility for the health of Georgia's communities, we are committed to providing innovative and transformational health care solutions. As one of Georgia's premier employers, you will be joining a team of talented people who are committed to serving and are passionate about our communities reaching their health-care goals.Job ResponsibilitiesReporting to the designated Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants andChildren (WIC) local agency staff, the WIC Buddy Specialist leads the local agency’s WIC Buddy Program, matching WIC mothers to support one another’s breastfeeding journeys. The WIC Buddy Specialist manages the overall local agency specific duties related to the program, such as promotion of the WIC Buddy Program, matching participants as they are enrolled in the program, distributing, and collecting buddy consent forms and communicating with WIC participants regarding their participation in the WIC Buddy Program. The WIC Buddy Specialist supports the monitoring of set program performance measures and works with the Local Agency’s Breastfeeding Program Coordinator, Nutrition Services Director and/or designee to implement project reinforcement and/or improvement plans.Monitors and coordinates the local agency activities of the WIC Buddy ProgramMarkets and promotes the WIC Buddy ProgramRecruits WIC participants to participate in the WIC Buddy ProgramActively monitors the clinic’s on-site list/daily schedule to recruit eligible participantsInforms WIC staff and participants about the WIC Buddy Program to include the overall program expectations and promotional activitiesCoordinates and schedules paired WIC Buddy connectionsDistributes and collects WIC Buddy consent formsPromotes the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (PC) program and refers participants to the PC ProgramParticipates on assigned committees and workgroups, as neededUtilizes reports to promote, recruit and maintain Buddy Program activitiesAssesses WIC Buddy matching criteria to identify potential WIC Buddy pairsMaintains regular contact with each WIC Buddy pair according to their preferenceManage and monitors the local agency’s Georgia WIC Buddy Tracker to include updating WIC Buddy participants matching criteria, dates of contacts with WIC Buddy pairs, and documentation of food package typeCompletes quarterly Buddy Program ReportsParticipates in Buddy Program meetings and/or callsAssists local and state agency with identifying barriers and effective solutions to enhance engagement in all components of the WIC Buddy Program projectMinimum QualificationsHigh School Diploma or GEDOne (1) year competency as a WIC Breastfeeding Peer CounselorCompletion of the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum Level I and IIHas one or more of the following skills and/or experience:Caseload managementCounseling skillsSupporting mother-baby dyadBreastfeeding promotionDeveloping, implementing, and facilitating trainingOrganizational skillsProficiency with Microsoft Office products (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams etc.)Knowledge of GA-WIC policies and proceduresPreferred QualificationsPreference will be given to applicants who in addition to meeting the minimum qualificationPossesses The FollowingTwo years at an accredited college or university with at least fifteen (15) credit hours in a social service-related fieldExpertise with social marketing campaigns, management of professional social media platforms and social media analyticsExperience with data collection and data managementExperience with the Peer Counselor Database System (PCDB)Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skillsAbility to coach others to set priorities. Strong meeting planning and facilitation skillsAnalytical skills with ability to create relevant reports for a variety of stakeholdersAble to work effectively in a high stress, changing environmentBilingual SkillsetAdditional InformationCurrent State employees are subject to State Personnel Board rules regarding salary.DPH accepts educational credential recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and/or the US Department of Education (DOE) will be considered. DPH will contact educational institutions to verify degree, diploma, licensure, etc.The candidate selected for this position may be subject to pre-employment drug screening and a criminal background check.As an employee of DPH, in the event of an identified emergency you may be required, as a term and condition of employment, to assist in meeting the emergency responsibilities of the department.If you require accommodations under the American Disability Act (ADA), email request by the closing date of this announcement to: DPH-HR@dph.ga.gov.DPH is an Equal Opportunity EmployerDue to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification.This position is subject to close at any time once a satisfactory applicant pool has been identified.