This posting will be used to fill vacancies for intermittent (on call) positions. This is a grant funded appointment. There is no guarantee of employment should the grant terms change or end. There is no regular assigned schedule or guarantee of hours. Must be available to be on call to counsel WIC clients by telephone outside of the usual clinic hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as needed.

A WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor – Karen Speaking is a paraprofessional person who gives basic lactation information, encouragement, and support to pregnant and breast/chestfeeding WIC program participants; and perform other duties as assigned. Peer counselors have personal experience with breastfeeding and are trained to provide basic lactation information and support to others with whom they share or have shared socioeconomic status, language, and/or race or ethnicity. Peer counselors reinforce breastfeeding recommendations in a socially and culturally appropriate context, and promote breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the child. ; and perform related duties as assigned.

WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor – Karen Speaking Peers offer bilingual language skills in Hmong and bring knowledge and experience in ethnicity and social economic similarities of the served target population.

If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with the personnel rules (i.e. promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).

To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this job, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list of job descriptions.

1. Provide lactation support through one-to-one counseling via telephone calls, text messaging, and/or face-to-face visits at a Ramsey County WIC clinic. One-to-one counseling includes: basic lactation information and support to new parents including explaining the benefits of breastfeeding, how to overcome common barriers, and how to get a good start with breastfeeding.
2. Help clients prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns. (Examples: sore nipples, poor latch, inadequate infant weight gain, milk supply concerns, etc.)
3. Communicate with WIC clients outside the usual clinic hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as necessary.
4. Manage a caseload of WIC participants and make routine periodic contact with all assigned clients as necessary.
5. Maintain accurate records of all contacts made with WIC clients.
6. Make and receive telephone calls/text messages, and e-mails from home as needed from a WIC assigned cell phone.
7. Submit invoices, activity logs and closed files in a timely manner.
8. Maintain regular contact with WIC Lactation Specialist and Nutrition Specialist- WIC.
9. May assist with promotion of the peer grant or breastfeeding classes through special activities led by the WIC Lactation Specialist or Nutrition Specialist - WIC.
10. Read assigned study materials provided by WIC Lactation Specialist or Nutrition Specialist -WIC.
11. Attend all required training.
12. Use bilingual or multilingual language skills to serve participants and the public as needed.

Education: High school graduation or equivalent. Additional education/training beyond high school is preferred.

Experience: Six months of customer service experience.

Substitution: None.

Certifications/Licensure: None.

Other: Must have a minimum of 6 months of experience breastfeeding at least one baby exclusively. The applicant does not have to be currently breastfeeding. Must have been or currently be a client of the WIC program. Fluency in English and Karen.

EXAMINATION: The examination/screening process will consist of the following sections with each section weighted as indicated:

1. Training & Experience Rating...................Wt. 100%