Breastfeeding Peer Counselor - LDA - African American Culture KSA

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$26.85 - $32.85 Hourly

Department:

Health Department

Job Type:

Limited Duration

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

September 14, 2025

The Opportunity:

This Work Matters!

This is a Limited Duration Assignment (LDA). Limited Duration Assignments are expected to last up to two (2) years, but may end sooner.

We seek leaders, achievers and doers who bring skill and passion to a challenging and evolving environment. At the Multnomah County Health Department we are all inspired by the mission: We work with communities to advance health equity, protect the most vulnerable, and promote health and wellness for everyone and we uphold the values: Compassion and Care, Empowerment, Racial Equity, Creativity and Integrity. We create a culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse population we serve in our communities.

WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is a program focusing on nutrition education, breastfeeding support, health and diet screening, growth monitoring, and program referrals as well as providing monthly food benefits for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to 5 years of age. WIC serves families from many different cultural and ethnic traditions, languages, backgrounds and abilities. The program is designed to promote positive health outcomes, strengthen life course nutrition and health, and reduce health disparities in the populations the program serves. The purpose of the WIC Peer Counseling Program (BFPC) is to provide breastfeeding education and support for WIC mothers and families from/to pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. The goal is to improve the rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration among WIC mothers in Multnomah County. A WIC breastfeeding peer counselor is a trained support person who gives breastfeeding information, encouragement, and problem solving to WIC pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and their families. A WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor must be a person who is breastfeeding or has fully or mostly breastfed at least one baby preferably through the first year of life or longer in accordance with Oregon WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Policy 716. They meet with mothers during WIC office hours, and are available by telephone during office hours. The position creates a work culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse populations the Health Department serves in the office and in the community. This is a Limited Duration position, assignment that requires the knowledge and understanding of African American culture, traditions, attitudes, beliefs and history.This is a 0.9 FTE position.

As the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, you will:

• Provide breastfeeding education and support for pregnant and postpartum mothers to prevent and handle common breastfeeding concerns in person, over the phone, and texting, using participant centered techniques
• Independently assess strengths and needs of individuals, families, and communities
• Conduct assessment and screening of breastfeeding risks, potential tongue tie, infections, assessing milk supply, weight gain and need for cranial-sacral therapy
• Collaboratively develop materials and curriculum for groups within State of Oregon guidelines to meet the needs of families served
• lead African American breastfeeding peer counseling groups, as well as non-culturally specific groups for the balance of the position's assigned caseload
• Represent the WIC and BFPC programs at community events and organizations
• Develop and maintain relationships with Multnomah County Health Department contacts and community organizations, including WIC clinic staff, Community Health Nurses, other Community Health Specialists
• Refer WIC participants to community programs and services as appropriate
• Use effective time management skills and positive communication
• Participate positively in team and all staff meetings and assist in orientation and training of new employees

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. As a Health Department employee you will create a work culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse populations the Health Department serves in the office and in the community. Every employee shares the responsibility for promptly bringing to the County's attention conduct that interferes with providing a work environment free of illegal discrimination and harassment.

TO QUALIFY:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

• Equivalent to an associate's degree
• (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position
• A valid BLS/ CPR card or the ability to obtain certification within 60 days of hire is required.
• This position requires advanced knowledge, skill and ability and has experience working with the Black/African American community. Demonstrates an understanding of the traditions, values and customs of this community. Understands cultural/racial/ethnic factors, including systemic advantage or disadvantage, generational trauma, and any factors related to non-dominant culture affecting community health.
• This position requires the incumbent be a person who is breastfeeding or has fully or mostly breastfed at least one baby preferably through the first year of life or longer

Preferred Qualifications/ Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Knowledge of Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition program

*Transferable skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experiences that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION:

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
• Consideration of top candidates/interviews
• Background, reference, and education checks

Pay Equity: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Required: The Application Packet: You must submit all requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

• A completedonline application.
• A resume that explains all related experience (paid or unpaid) and training in your resume.
• Supplemental Questions: (Yes or No answers are sufficient)

1. Are you currently, or have you ever been in the Women, Infants & Children Supplemental Nutrition program (WIC)?

2. Have you ever exclusively breastfeed one or more children for at least 1 year?

3. Do you have personal or lived experience within the African American/ African Immigrant population?

4. Are you passionate about breastfeeding and providing breastfeeding support?

5. Are you a lactation professional, such as an IBCLC?

Note: The application, resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/ skills and how it is related to those shown in the overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials may be scored and determine your eligibility for an interview.

Please be mindful of checking your email inbox for messages from the Recruiter as you may be emailed requesting additional information. If a response is not received in a timely manner your application may not be considered.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

Type of Position: This hourly position is eligible for overtime.

Type: Represented

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Schedule: Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Friday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM flexible

Hybrid Telework: This position is designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will be working both remotely (from home) and in person at an onsite location. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.. The temporary onsite work location for this position is the Rockwood Market Hall Building located at 458 SE 185th Ave., Portland, OR 97233.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters:

Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit theDisaster Service Worker Informationpage.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Dan Ryan

Email:

daniel.ryan@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (971) 5001690

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

6047 - Community Health Specialist 2