11/01/1987 37090

CHIEF, PLANNING AND REVIEW (WIC)

DEFINITION: This is responsible and professional nutrition work of an administrative and supervisory nature directing the Planning and Review Section of the Special Food Programs for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).

The employee in this class serves as the WIC program's Nutrition Services Coordinator directing subordinate staff in the development, implementation, revision and monitoring of policies and procedures in relation to several distinct and separate areas of service. The areas include nutrition education, development of eligibility and certification standards, development of supplemental foods lists and local agency performance review. The work also includes overseeing the provision of training for local agencies, administration of participant fair hearings, civil rights compliance, WIC forms and publications management and program outreach efforts. The principal focus of this position involves guidance and monitoring of the local WIC provider agencies through the development and administration of the above standards and the conduct of the local agency performance reviews and other compliance activities. Important aspects of this work includes developing well-defined and complete program policies; assuring that appropriate training is provided to state and local agency WIC staff; overseeing the process to conduct comprehensive annual reviews of local agency performance; assuring that the annual WIC Plan of Operations is prepared and submitted according to federal guidelines; and identifying and addressing nutrition-related issues within the program. Supervision is exercised over professional, technical and clerical staff members through daily contact and a regular review of work outputs. Work is reviewed by an administrative superior through reports, conferences, and an evaluation of program results for conformance with bureau and departmental policies and procedures and the achievement of stated goals and objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans and directs the Planning and Review Section including establishing goals and objectives, determining work priorities and assigning and reviewing work.

Directs staff in developing certification and eligibility standards, nutrition education standards, supplemental foods lists, and in carrying out and conducting local agency reviews, program outreach, civil rights compliance, participant fair hearings and complaints, local agency training and monitoring.

Directs staff providing technical assistance and policy interpretation to local WIC agencies statewide in regard to program development and operations.

Oversees the preparation of the Annual State Plan for the WIC Program by establishing time schedules, delegating responsibility for drafting component sections and reviewing the final document for substance of content.

Analyzes the impact of new federal regulations and policies on section programs by securing pertinent data and information from available sources, identifying advantages and disadvantages of the alternatives and securing cost data if necessary.

Participates on or chairs evaluation committees formed to select new WIC agencies, determines along with other committee members the evaluation criteria and evaluates proposals and makes recommendation for selection.

Performs other related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of nutrition and current nutrition developments in the field relating to public health.

Knowledge of human nutrition and dietetics in relation to health and diseases.

Knowledge of current developments in public health nutrition and their application to the WIC Program.

Knowledge of current science and standards of practice in public health nutrition.

Knowledge of state, federal and local governmental structures and processes in the development of public policy and legislation and their impact upon public health nutrition services.

Knowledge of federal and state laws governing public health programs and supplemental nutrition programs.

Knowledge of the general theory principles, practices and current developments in public health nutrition as they relate to women, infants and children.

Knowledge of the principles of effective supervision.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with professional lay groups, representatives of state agencies, state, local and federal public health officials, local health organizations and the general public.

Ability to analyze and evaluate nutrition and scientific data.

Ability to plan, develop and implement technical assistance and policy interpretation activities in relation to local WIC agencies.

Ability to provide leadership in determining public health nutrition needs and objectives.

Ability to coordinate the work of this section with other parts of the Bureau and the Department.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: A bachelor's degree from an accreditated college or university with major course work in foods and nutrition/dietetics supplemented by a Master's Degree in Nutrition or Public Health from an accredited college or university and five years experience as a Nutritionist in a health agency.

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Dietetics registration or eligibility for dietetic registration by the Commission on dietetics registration, the certifying agency of the American Dietetic Association (ADA).