SALARY
$39.01 - $46.85 Hourly
$81,144.96 - $97,452.16 Annually
Bilingual allowance, when applicable

The County of Santa Barbara Health Department is accepting applications to fill two (2) Registered Dietitian positions with the Nutrition Services Program. These positions will be based in Lompoc. This recruitment may also be used to fill future vacancies in the Behavioral Wellness Department.

We are also accepting applications to establish an employment list for future Full-Time, Part-Time, Extra Help (temporary) and *1414 Registered Dietitians in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Lompoc. 

*Civil Service Rule 1414. Appointment to Fill Vacancy During Leave of Absence. 1414 vacancies may occur as a result of a leave of absence and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under Civil Service Rule 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.

Please be sure to indicate on your application all the locations you are willing to accept employment for current and future vacancies. If you qualify for this position and pass the required selection steps, your name will be sent to the hiring manager(s) of the vacancy location(s) you have expressed you are willing to work.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits. Click on the Benefits Tab above or CLICK HERE to view more information.  

  In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for: 

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards for an advanced vacation accrual rate

THE POSITION

The Registered Dietitian is a member of the Nutrition Services team within the County Health Department. The Registered Dietitian provides individual and group nutrition and breastfeeding education to WIC participants using participant-centered education principals and techniques. In addition, the Registered Dietitian may provide Medical Nutrition Therapy to patients in the Health Care Center and counseling to perinatal women enrolled in the Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program. 

Nutrition Services Mission Statement: The mission of Nutrition Services is to provide quality nutrition and breastfeeding education and support to the members of the Santa Barbara County community. Our goal is to promote optimal health in an atmosphere of dignity and respect. To learn more about the Nutrition Services division, please visit: https://www.countyofsb.org/4259/Nutrition-Services

For more information on the Behavioral Wellness Department, please visit: www.countyofsb.org/behavioral-wellness

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

• Experience working in a Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
• Experience working in Obstetrics, Pediatrics, and Primary Care out-patient clinics.
• A dietitian registration from the American Dietetic Association.
• Ability to provide nutrition and breastfeeding education and support using participant-centered education principles and techniques.
• Experience and a desire to work with low-income families.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish is preferred, although not required for this position.

PUBLIC HEATH NUTRITION PROGRAM SPECIALTY

1. Determines participants' eligibility for WIC program service by reviewing applications, nutrition questionnaires, and medical documents; and explains ineligibility to participants.
2. Enrolls and recertifies WIC participants; documents income and address verification, medical information, and health questions.
3. Provides individual and group nutrition and breastfeeding education to WIC participants and provides referrals to the community resources and documents appropriately.
4. Provides medical nutrition therapy and nutrition counseling to Health Care Center patients.
5. Nutritionists may supervise daily operation at the WIC site in the absence of the Nutrition Site Supervisor.
6. The Registered Dietitian may assist with staff training and outreach.

Possession of a bachelor's OR master's degree from a CADE-accredited college/university; AND completion of 1200 hours of supervised practice in a CADE-accredited Dietetic Internship Program.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be R.D. eligible upon appointment and must obtain a dietitian registration from the American Dietetic Association within one year of appointment as a condition of continued employment. Note: the Commission on Accreditation of Dietetics /education (CADE) is the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required at the time of appointment.
• Incumbents must be willing to travel to various clinic sites, and may be required to work evenings and weekends.
• The ability to speak/read/write Spanish fluently may be required for some positions.

Note: you must self-certify that you are fluent in English and Spanish. Hiring Departments may test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future bilingual certifications. 

Knowledge of: nutrition principles and practices; current trends and issues in nutrition; methods of nutrition and dietary assessment; comparative costs of foods in relation to their nutritional value: counseling techniques; community resources and service; and standard office software.

Ability to: learn, interpret, and apply program rules and regulations; perform diet analysis; learn nutritional habits or cultural needs of program participants; establish rapport with and motivate individuals from diverse backgrounds; conduct group presentations; learn the educational methods appropriate for adults and adolescents; establish and maintain working relationships with superiors, co-workers, and the general public, maintain client confidentiality.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and auto-scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 12 qualified candidates.

VETERANS PREFERENCE POINTS:  Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act.  No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability.  

To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD-214 on or before the closing date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process.  The preference points will be added to your final test score.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list. 

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider, or learning institution. 

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines. 

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.  

Additionally, for the Behavioral Wellness Department, a Live Scan and Background Check: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, the selected candidate's appointment is contingent upon successful completion of a Live Scan and background check which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. A Live Scan is electronic fingerprint scanning that is certified by the State Department of Justice. Further instructions about when and how to complete the Live Scan will be included in the offer letter. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Selectees must, as a condition of employment, sign statements agreeing to comply with Section 11166 of the California Penal Code relating to child abuse reporting and Section 15630 of the California Penal Code relating to elder abuse reporting.
 
Incumbents must be willing to travel to clinic sites, and may work evenings and weekends. Bilingual skills may be required for some positions.

The County of Santa Barbara Health Department ("County Health") requires all employees working in direct contact with patients or clients in a high-risk environment to comply with the County Health Employee Immunizations policy. This can be accomplished by providing documentation of immunizations, submitting laboratory immune titers demonstrating adequate immunity, or obtaining required vaccinations. A list of requirements, based on the specific program, will be sent at the time an offer letter is presented to the selected candidate(s) and initial documentation will be required at this time.

Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.  

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT 

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: 06/23/25 at 4:59 PM PST. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Farrah Medrano, Talent Acquisition Lead, 
County Health, PHDRecruiter@sbcphd.org