Home Economist

Job Description:

Home Economist

Description

The Position

Why Join Contra Costa Health?
The Contra Costa County Health Services Department is offering an excellent employment opportunity for qualified individuals interested in the Home Economist position. There is currently one (1) vacancy in the Public Health Division located in Pittsburg, CA.

Home Economists provide community education and training in the areas of nutrition, breastfeeding, selective shopping and effective utilization of resources to Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) participants. They provide support to county staff and community health professionals with nutrition and health information and referrals. Home Economists will attend staff meetings and training sessions and participate in the Nutrition Education Committee. This position will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders in community outreach throughout the county.

The WIC Program is a federally funded supplemental food and nutrition program for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children under age five who are at a nutritional risk.

The goal of the WIC Program is to provide women, infants, and children with healthy food, knowledge, and the opportunity to make healthy choices in an atmosphere of dignity and respect, thus enhancing the potential for all to enjoy a higher quality of life.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Is experienced working with pregnant and postpartum women, infants, children and their families.
• The ability to provide nutrition and health education to program participants and the general public.
• Has experience working with a computer.
• Has experience with data collection and managing electronic client records.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Assessing nutritional needs of WIC participants and provide nutrition education and breastfeeding support
• Supporting staff and community health professionals with nutrition and health information and referrals
• Providing individual and group nutrition education to WIC participants
• Assisting site manager in strategies to meet the state’s determined caseload efficiently
• Reviewing completed charts for nutritional accuracy and compliance with state/ federal regulations
• Participating in staff meetings and training
• Assisting in community outreach throughout the county and conduct surveys; perform participant registration
• Case manage therapeutic infant formula requests according to federal and state policies

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will get to provide orientation to participants regarding program services
• You will get to provide health education to program participants and the general public
• Participation in Nutrition Education Committee
• Working with prenatal & postpartum women, infants, and children
• Joining teams that help improve community health and make a meaningful difference in people's lives

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Work can be time-sensitive and stressful at times.
• Working with a population with diverse needs.
• Managing a large client caseload.

Competencies Required:

• Reading Comprehension: Understanding and using written information
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability
• Self-Management: Showing personal organization, self-discipline, and dependability
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Professional Impact: Presenting self as a positive representative of the organization
• Group Facilitation: Enabling constructive and productive group interaction
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Valuing Diversity: Appreciating the benefits of varied backgrounds and cultures in the workplace

To read the complete job description, please visit the website: https://www.cccounty.us/hr .

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in home economics, dietetics, nutrition, or other closely related field.

Substitution: Experience in home economics, dietetics, nutrition, or similar closely related experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-to-year basis, up to a maximum of four (4) years.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Possession of a WNA certification is highly desired and recommended.
• Experience using Epic, Microsoft Suite, and WIC WISE computer programs

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: All applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application. Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.Virtual Oral Assessment: Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online video assessment. The assessment will measure candidates' competencies as they relate to the job. In the assessment, candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the competencies, as well as an overall passing score of 70% or higher. These may include but are not limited to: Adaptability, Professional Integrity & Ethics, Self-Management, Oral Communication and Customer Focus.(Weighted 100%).

The Virtual Oral Assessment is tentatively scheduled to take place via computer (remotely) during the week of April 10, 2026.

The Virtual Oral Assessment will be administered remotely using a computer or mobile device such as a tablet or smartphone. You will need access to a reliable internet connection to take the assessment, as well as a computer or mobile device with a camera.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment questions, please contact Health Services Personnel, Recruitment Team at [email protected] . For any technical issues, please contact the Government Jobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1-855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 4/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$77,191.97 - $93,827.32 Annually