Bilingual & Non-bilingual Breastfeeding Peer Counselor-Women, Infants & Children (WIC)

Washington County Public Health Division is seeking Bilingual (Spanish/English) and Non-bilingual Breastfeeding Peer Counselors to join our Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program.
 
The opportunity is a variable hour position with a tentative end date of 6/30/2025. The variable hour positions are at-will and working hours vary each week depending on the needs, limited up to 20 hours per week. Additionally, the variable hour positions are eligible for sick time accruals, but are not eligible for vacation accrual, paid holiday, or other customary benefits including health insurance such as medical, dental, and vision.  
 
About the program:
The WIC program focuses on nutrition education, breastfeeding support, health and diet screening, growth monitoring, and program referrals for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to 5 years of age. WIC serves families from diverse cultural and ethnic traditions, languages, backgrounds, and abilities. It is designed to promote positive health outcomes, strengthen life course nutrition and health, and reduce health disparities of the populations we serve.
 
Washington County is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve. In that spirit, we encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds and experience to apply.
 
To find more about our program, visit: Women, Infants & Children.
 
About the Opportunity:
In this role, you will deliver parent-to-parent support to prenatal and postpartum WIC parents by providing basic breastfeeding information and encouragement. Primary duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Provide breastfeeding counseling and instruction for pregnant and breastfeeding WIC participants for an assigned peer counseling caseload on a periodic basis. Provide virtual and in-person services to help prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns.
• Assist participants in exploring and addressing barriers to breastfeeding by assessing issues that may complicate breastfeeding and identifying sources of support for the participant.
• Refer participants according to clinic established protocols to the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (BFPC) Coordinator for follow up with appropriate community resources.
• Attend and assist with prenatal classes and breastfeeding classes and support groups; and encourage participants to attend prenatal classes.
• Assist participants during postpartum period in preventing common concerns and identifying breastfeeding problems for appropriate referral to the BFPC Coordinator.
• Assist participants in maintaining breastfeeding by suggesting ways to incorporate breastfeeding into daily routines; counsel on methods of maintaining milk production and breast pump usage.
• Maintain various records and chart notes; record advice given to WIC participants; and document methods and reasons for referrals in participants’ files.
• Assist WIC staff in promoting breastfeeding peer counseling through special projects; promote and support activities within the community including outreach with mother/infant programs, physician offices, hospitals, and local coalitions.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule. When required to work in-person at the work sites/offices, this position may report and travel to multiple WIC sites located in Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Tigard.
 
An ideal candidate would have:

• Experience in counseling and providing breastfeeding information or education to WIC participants.
• Training or experience in the WIC Program (Current/past WIC participants).
• Ability to speak, read and write in Spanish fluently is preferred.
• Ability to represent Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) communities and/or familiarity of WIC services.
• Training and experience with participant-centered counseling and assessment techniques for culturally diverse participants.
• Experience in delivering trainings, presentations, and/or public speaking.
• Direct breastfeeding experience or formal lactation education.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may come from a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role, even if you believe you do not meet all the hiring criteria described above. 

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly. To review this classification, please use this link:  WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent; AND One year of knowledge and experience with breastfeeding.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Spanish bilingual skills preferred.

Background Investigation:
Please be advised that this position is required to pass a criminal background check post offer.