CONSUMER SCIENCE SPECIALIST

Job description

Arkansas Department of Health 4815 W Markham Street Little Rock, AR 72205 Position Number: 22111696 County: Washington City: Springdale Posting End Date: 09/11/26 Anticipated Starting Salary: $52,137.07 Division of Local Public Health – Washington County Local Public Health *CLASSIFIED AS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION* Additional Preferences: This position will serve as the WIC Nutrition Educator. Frequent in-state travel required. A valid driver’s license is required. Occasional work outside of standard business hours may be required. Active certification as a Certified Lactation Counselor or similar lactation support certification preferred. Experience with electronic health records or other electronic patient/client management system preferred. Hiring Official: J. Divine-Newell The mission of the Department of Health is to protect and improve the health and well-being of all Arkansans. Position Information Job Series: Health Specialties Classification: Consumer Science Specialist – Career Path Class Code: PHS03P Pay Grade: SGS06 Salary Range: $52,137 - $77,163 Job Summary The Consumer Science Specialist is responsible for providing individualized nutritional counseling and guidance to clients across Arkansas to promote healthier eating habits and improve overall health outcomes. This position involves assessing clients' nutritional needs, creating personalized nutrition plans, offering dietary recommendations, and helping individuals navigate challenges related to food and nutrition. The Consumer Science Specialist will also work on public health initiatives that aim to reduce diet-related diseases and improve public awareness of healthy eating practices. Primary Responsibilities Provide one-on-one nutritional counseling sessions to clients to assess their dietary habits and health conditions. Develop customized nutrition plans based on individual goals such as weight management, disease prevention, or the management of chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension. Support and contribute to state-level public health nutrition programs, including outreach and education efforts aimed at improving community-wide health. Participate in health fairs, community events, and nutrition workshops that promote healthy eating habits and disease prevention. Offer specialized counseling for specific populations, such as pregnant women, infants, children, elderly adults, or those with special dietary needs. Tailor nutritional recommendations to address the unique needs of these groups. Maintain accurate and confidential client records, tracking progress and ensuring that all nutritional advice and interventions are well-documented. Report on client outcomes and effectiveness of nutrition programs to relevant stakeholders. Conduct thorough nutritional assessments of clients, including reviewing their medical history, lifestyle, and current eating habits. Provide actionable, science-based recommendations for improving nutrition, managing food allergies or intolerances, and maintaining balanced diets. Educate clients about the importance of balanced nutrition and how it can improve their health. Offer resources on meal planning, portion control, reading food labels, and making healthier food choices. Help clients understand how nutrition impacts various aspects of their health, such as digestion, immune function, and chronic disease prevention. Assist clients with managing chronic health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and gastrointestinal disorders, through targeted nutritional strategies. Provide ongoing support and track progress toward dietary goals. Knowledge and Skills Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex nutritional information into simple, actionable advice for individuals with varying levels of health literacy. Strong ability to build rapport with clients and establish trusting relationships. Compassionate and empathetic approach when working with individuals who may face emotional, social, or economic challenges related to their health and nutrition. Ability to assess clients’ unique nutritional needs and develop individualized nutrition plans that account for their preferences, lifestyle, and medical conditions. Creative problem-solving to overcome barriers to healthy eating. Skilled in delivering personalized nutritional education, addressing client concerns, and motivating individuals to adopt healthier eating habits. Ability to empower clients to take control of their health through nutrition. In-depth understanding of nutrition science, including the roles of macronutrients, micronutrients, and various dietary patterns. Familiarity with the latest nutritional guidelines and recommendations, including those provided by the USDA and other health agencies. Ability to manage multiple client caseloads and efficiently prioritize tasks. Strong organizational skills to maintain accurate records, schedule appointments, and manage documentation. Minimum Qualifications A bachelor’s degree in nutrition, dietetics, public health, or a related field is required. Satisfaction of the minimum qualifications, including years of experience and service, does not entitle employees to automatic progression within the job series. Promotion to the next classification level is at the discretion of the department and the Office of Personnel Management, taking into consideration the employee’s demonstrated skills, competencies, performance, workload responsibilities, and organizational needs. Licensure/Certifications N/A OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE. The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.