PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITIONIST

Code: 02916 Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, organizes, plans, and conducts nutrition programs to assist in the promotion of health and control of disease; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Organizes, plans, and conducts a nutrition program or nutrition programs for a public agency.
• Evaluates nutrition programs and recommends policies, standards, and services to meet the needs of the people served and the objectives of the program.
• Advises health and other agencies on nutritional phases of their program.
• Instructs individuals and groups in the basic principles of nutrition, basic food requirements for attainment and maintenance of good health, and the influence of proper nutrition on normal growth and development.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and interprets the results of community nutrition surveys.
• Organizes and carries out community programs designed to prevent and control dietary deficiency diseases.
• Through individual or group conferences, instructs public health nurses, social workers, and others in the dietary aspects of prenatal care, child health, adult health, and chronic diseases and aging including specific information on available food, current food costs, food habits of specific cultural groups, and interpretation of special diets.
• May give assignments and instructions to subordinate personnel connected with the nutrition program and supervise performance of their work.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with local health agencies, community groups, and other agencies interested in the problems related to food and nutrition.
• Integrates nutrition services with related community programs.
• Assists in joint planning among voluntary and official health agencies to promote effective use of nutrition and diet counseling staff.
• May assist members of the local health agency in surveys and inspections of food services in facilities that provide such services.
• Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and detailed statistical and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Maintains essential records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Public Health with a major in Nutrition or possession of a Master's degree in Nutrition.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in dietetics or nutrition.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of principles and practices of modern nutrition and dietetics and of foods and food requirements.
• Knowledge of modern public health administration and public health objectives in the field of human nutrition.
• Knowledge of principles and methods of nutrition education and their application and adaptation to specific situations.
• Knowledge of social and economic problems as they apply to public health nutrition.
• Ability to plan, develop, and carry out a nutrition program.
• Ability to develop work programs, give assignments to individuals and groups, and evaluate the performance of their work.
• Ability to act as a consultant and advisor on foods and human nutrition and to interpret the public health program.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with individuals and groups.
• Ability to plan and participate in community meetings and conferences.
• Ability to collect and prepare appropriate educational materials and visual aids.
• Ability to compose correspondence.
• Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative, statistical, and other reports and studies containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Appointees may be required to possess a current and valid certification as a Registered Dietician issued by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.