WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor

• Provide counseling and support throughout the pregnancy and while breastfeeding, utilizing counseling skills acquired during training.
• Be a resource for participants and make connections with other community services.
• Prepare a participant for what to expect in the first few hours and days of breastfeeding.
• Be available to participants after delivery and when they return home.

This position is grant-funded for a limited time through the WIC office and Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

• Associate’s degree and one-year volunteer or work-related experience or high school diploma or equivalency with 2 years of volunteer or work experience.
• Proficiency with windows-based software, including use of the internet and navigation with various browsers, and Microsoft Office proficiency, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Publisher.
• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the position.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight travel.
• Ability to carry supplies and equipment.
• Ability to communicate and to read and write in English.
• Experience with breastfeeding – at least one baby (does not have to be currently breastfeeding).
• Have good organizational skills, enabling her to manage her assigned caseload, keep track of her scheduled hours, meetings, and training, and meet necessary deadlines.

• Experience in adult and youth education or other relevant work experience
• Enthusiastic about breastfeeding and want to help other mothers enjoy a positive experience.
• Familiarity with the community in which the work will take place.
• Experience working with the target audience.
• Ability to present effective and relevant educational lessons to target audiences (one-on-one and group) and work with diverse audiences of all ages.
• Ability and willingness to collaborate with diverse audiences and maintain cultural sensitivity.
• Sound judgment, problem-solving skills, and the ability to keep the information confidential.
• Ability to plan and organize personal work responsibilities according to priorities developed with the immediate supervisor.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively as part of a team.
• Current or previous WIC participants are preferred.
• Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish)

• Attends NYS DOH Loving Support model breastfeeding training classes to become a peer counselor coordinator, completing a certified lactation counselor course, and passing the CLC exam within one year of employment.
• Receives a caseload of WIC mothers and regularly contacts all mothers assigned.
• Gives new mothers basic breastfeeding information and support, including educating them about the benefits of breastfeeding, overcoming common barriers, and getting a good start with breastfeeding. She also helps mothers prevent and manage common breastfeeding concerns. As a PCC and CLC, she can function as a designated breastfeeding expert (DBE) if a PC is involved in a situation she is required to yield.
• Counsels WIC pregnant mothers by telephone and during WIC appointments at local WIC sites.
• Acting as a peer provides breastfeeding information and continued support to WIC moms filling the gap between home and medical professionals while striving to improve the rate of exclusivity among breastfeeding participants.
• Ensures that breastfeeding moms are prepared to return to work while breastfeeding to increase breastfeeding duration among WIC moms.
• Respects each mother by keeping her information strictly confidential.
• Keeps accurate records of all contacts made with WIC mothers.
• Assists in establishing program goals and objectives for the EPC program.
• Work with the breastfeeding coalition to identify gaps in breastfeeding resources to improve breastfeeding outcomes.
• Speaks and promotes breastfeeding events as needed, such as the Suffolk County Office of Minority Health and HRH care prenatal groups funded by March of Dimes.

• Implement program evaluation as designed.

• Maintain a record of class participants.
• Complete reports accurately.
• Collect and prepare paperwork as required for the program evaluation process.
• Collect enrollment participants.
• Maintain extreme confidentiality of information, participant information, and data collected.
• Submit collected data (above)

• In cooperation with Supervisor or Executive Director, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan to increase competencies relative to position accountabilities and address changes and Association priorities.
• Collaborate in activities that support Cornell Cooperative Extension and perform other duties as assigned.

• Support the Association to maintain a safe working environment.
• Be familiar with and strive to follow applicable federal, state, and local regulations, Association health and safety policy/procedure/requirement, and standards.
• Act proactively to prevent accidents/injuries and communicate hazards to supervisors when identified.

• Appreciate and embrace diversity in all interactions with clientele, staff, volunteers, and the public.
• Assist the Cornell Cooperative Extension system in reaching out to diverse audiences.
• Aware of, and adheres to, established Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Suffolk County policies, procedures, and Cornell Cooperative Extension Skills for Success.
• Contribute to the organization’s overall success by performing all assigned duties professionally, timely, and accurately.

• Attach/upload a cover letter to the online application in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
• Attach/upload a resume to the online application in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
• Attach/upload contact info for three references to the online application in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

Association Prog Educator I

006

Hourly

Contract College

Jillian Sinanan