Title: Breastfeeding Peer Counselor
State Role Title: Direct Service Associate II
Hiring Range: $15.50 -$18.50
Pay Band: 2
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: NORFOLK-HUNTERSVILLE
Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/norfolk/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Bold and catalytic, the Norfolk Department of Public Health is transforming the health landscape of our community through groundbreaking initiatives and strategic partnerships. We are committed to fostering a culture of radical collaboration, excellence, inclusivity, and resilience. We believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are dedicated to providing a supportive and dynamic work environment where your skills and passion can make a catalytic impact. If you are ready to contribute to meaningful change and be part of a forward-thinking organization, NDPH is the place for you!
Job Duties
Norfolk Health Department is seeking to fill a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor who will promote breastfeeding among WIC participants, health care workers and the community. They will attend local, regional, or state breastfeeding promotion and support training when possible. They will operate within the BFPC scope of practice as defined in the WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum. Participates in multidisciplinary team case conferencing to develop and implement WIC participant service plans. May represent Local Agency and WIC on interdisciplinary workgroups, taskforces, or coalitions.
This is a restricted position, which is solely funded by the federal WIC Client Services grant for a one-year period ending September 30 continually. The availability of funding is scheduled for review annually and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.
Wage Employment are subject to the following conditions:
• Wage employees serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing authority.
• Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.
• Wage employees are not covered by the provisions of the Virginia Personnel Act.
• Wage employees are paid only for the hours they actually work.
• Virginia state law currently requires that agencies not permit wage employees to work in excess of 29 hours per week on average over the course of a year. Wage employees may not work for VDH beyond 1,500 hours during the period of May 1 – April 30 of the following year (the Standard Measurement Period).
• Once a wage employee works the maximum of 1,500 hours during the Standard Measurement Period, the employee may be rehired as a wage employee of VDH only after the next Standard Measurement Period has begun.
• Continuing employment is based on available funding and business need.
Minimum Qualifications
• Demonstrate a Working Knowledge of:
• Basic human lactation.
• Breastfeeding practices
• Various positioning techniques.
• Basic breastfeeding management.
• Manual expression of breast milk.
• Collection and storage of human milk.
• Good communication skills.
Demonstrated Ability to:
• Instruct in a group and individual setting
• Recognize problems related to breastfeeding and make appropriate
referrals/interventions.
• Personal breastfeeding experience required
Additional Considerations
• Previously a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor preferred
• Current or former WIC participants preferred
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered.
Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.
Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and
pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!
Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.
Contact Information
Name: Ciara Everett
Phone: 757-683-2804
Email: NDPH-INFO@vdh.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.