DEPT OF HEALTH SERVICES

Address:

 150 N 18th Ave.

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $61,798 - $63,034 

Grade: 21

The Staff Development Specialist position is responsible for the development, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance of training programs for all new and existing Arizona WIC local agency employees, including Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) and paraprofessionals. Applicants holding the credentials of RD/RDN and/or IBCLC are preferred due to the extensive nutrition and breastfeeding knowledge required. This position requires a high degree of concentration, critical thinking, and analytical skills. Qualified applicants will be able to identify training gaps/outdated information in the training programs required for new employees, as well as the continuing education training programs available to existing employees. Qualified applicants will be able to use their knowledge of adult learning theories to develop learning goals/objectives, determine the most appropriate format(s) for presenting training program materials, research evidence-based information, and implement innovative learning techniques in the development of all resources associated with training program materials (written,video, and audio content). Training program topics currently in use by the Arizona WIC Program include but are not limited to nutrition, breastfeeding, the Arizona WIC Program's management information system (HANDS), program policies and procedures, anthropometry, hematology, assessment, and participant-centered services. Qualified applicants will be expected to collaborate with other local agency trainers regarding the development, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance of all offered training programs. Qualified applicants will be expected to provide technical assistance, mentorship, training, and guidance to local agency trainers, professional, and paraprofessional staff. This position requires traveling to work at alternate locations when necessary. Qualified applicants will also be expected to perform outreach duties in order to develop valuable relationships between community members/organizations and the Arizona WIC Program.

Evaluates current training programs to identify training gaps/outdated information. Develops, implements, evaluates, and maintains training programs designed for paraprofessional and professional staff. This will include coordinating with local agency trainers to ensure training materials are inclusive of the thoughts of all Arizona WIC local agencies.

Provides support, mentorship, training, and guidance for local agency trainers regarding the training programs offered to new and existing Arizona WIC employees.

Trains local agency professional and paraprofessional staff on topics such as nutrition, breastfeeding, the Arizona WIC Program's management information system (HANDS), program policies and procedures, anthropometry, hematology, assessment, and participant-centered services.

Plans, organizes, and facilitates seminars, workshops and special training sessions/programs of interest to Arizona WIC Program employees.

Collaborates with Internal and external stakeholders to develop short and long-range plans and strategies for outreach activities to expand services. Serves as a member of technical committees, boards, task forces, advisory councils, as appropriate.

Other duties as assigned as related to the position (typically 5% - 10%)

Knowledge of:
- Current concepts of effective nutrition and health delivery programs, cultural patterns and practices affecting service delivery and use of data for program planning and evaluation.
- Principles, methods and techniques of adult education, learning, mentoring, and instructional methods.
- Professional standards for nutrition, training, and health care.
- Nutrition through the life cycle and nutrition for high-risk populations.
- Techniques of effective communication, participant-centered education, and behavior change.
- Federal and state rules and regulations as related to nutrition programs, especially the WIC Program.
- Writing nutrition and health-based research, analysis, and evaluation.
-State procurement and contracting procedures.
- Performance Management (PM), and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Lean methodologies.

Skill in:
-Training adults to be able to deliver appropriate nutrition and breastfeeding education using the Participant -Centered Services approach
- The ability to transfer knowledge, skills, and abilities to staff in performing comprehensive nutritional assessments to include, anthropometric measurements, hematological testing, and dietary assessments
- Adult mentoring.
- The use of computer software for developing training materials, word processing, and spreadsheets.
- Working with agencies and community organizations.
- Data analysis.

Ability to:
- Verbally communicate clearly and effectively in one-on-one and group settings to instruct and teach both professional and paraprofessional staff.
- Develop a wide variety of training materials and toolkits and evaluate their effectiveness.
- Mentor staff in critical thinking skills as applied in nutrition counseling sessions.
- Evaluate instructional needs and define an appropriate interventions to meet needs.
- Understand and implement local, state and federal laws and regulations for nutrition and health programs.
- Analytical problem-solving and decision-making.
- Organize and supervise classes, conferences and meetings.
- Support a diverse multi-cultural workforce that reflects the community, promotes equal opportunity at all levels of public employment, and creates an inclusive work environment that enables all individuals to perform to their fullest potential, free from discrimination.

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition or nutrition-related degree with 2 years work experience in federal nutrition programs such as WIC as a nutritionist, education specialist or program manager preferred. Registered Dietitian preferred. IBCLC preferred. Fluency in Spanish desired.

Driver's License

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
− Affordable medical and dental insurance plans
− Paid vacation and sick time
− Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
− 10 paid holidays per year
− Wellness program and plans
− Life insurance
− Short/long-term disability insurance
− Defined retirement plan
− Award winning Infant at Work program
− Credit union membership
− Transit subsidy
− ADHS Student Assistance Pilot Program

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

To help you build a financially secure future, the State makes monthly contributions to finance your retirement benefit. The State will contribute to the ASRS in an amount equal to your contribution. In other words, you and the State will each pay 50% of the total cost of the benefit. New State employees have a 27-week wait period for contributions to begin.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling emailing Miriam.Sheffield@azdhs.gov Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. DHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All newly hired employees will be subject to E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.