REVISED TENTATIVE

Occ. Code 3109110

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

          Positions in this title series at the Department of Health (DOH) develop, implement, and evaluate nutrition policies, procedures, and programs; and educate and provide technical assistance to nutrition sponsor agencies and organizations which administer public health nutrition programs in New York State.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

          PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITIONIST 1: full performance level; performs on-site program evaluations of nutrition programs; monitors the implementation of nutrition contracts; educates, trains, and provides technical assistance to sponsors, community organizations, and the public; implements federal and State laws, rules, and regulations related to nutrition; and may supervise lower level nutritionists and other staff assigned to DOH nutrition programs.

          PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITIONIST 2: supervisory level; supervises a unit of Public Health Nutritionists 1 and other staff in the performance of nutrition program reviews, and sets unit priorities.  

PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITIONIST 3: managerial level; supervises lower level Public Health Nutritionists 2 and other staff; administers nutrition programs; sets program priorities and performs program planning activities; and advises DOH executive staff on issues related to public health nutrition programs.

RELATED CLASSES

Senior Nutrition Services Consultants and Health Systems Specialists 2 (Nutrition), as part of a multi-disciplinary survey team, function as nutrition specialists in the performance of on-site reviews of health care facilities.  

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITIONIST 1:  Performs on-site program reviews of sponsor agencies, community organizations, and nutrition facilities to ensure compliance with nutrition contracts and State and federal laws, rules and regulations.  Monitors nutritional components of sponsor agency contracts, and approves grants, work plans, budgets, and program policies, procedures, and objectives.  Identifies deficiencies in program operations, and develops and implements corrective action plans as they relate to nutrition services.  Develops nutrition education and training materials, and provides education and training to sponsor agency, community organizations, the public, and DOH staff on nutrition best practices, policies, and procedures.  Plans and conducts community outreach activities to highlight the importance of proper nutrition and physical activity, and coordinates activities with other State and local groups to ensure consistency in the delivery of programs.  Analyzes nutrition literature, industry trends, and regulatory changes, and proposes program changes to improve operations and ensure regulatory compliance.  Participates in nutrition workgroups to innovate, promote efficient program operations, and to ensure consistency with statewide approaches to nutritional health.  May supervise lower level nutritionists and other staff in the performance of nutrition program functions, which includes determining assignments, time and attendance, performance evaluations, and identifying and arranging trainings. 

PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITIONIST 2:  Performs the duties of a Public Health Nutritionist 1.  Supervises a unit of Public Health Nutritionists 1 and other staff in the performance of nutrition program reviews, the provision of technical assistance, and the development and delivery of training and outreach activities.  Supervises the review and approval of sponsor contracts, grants, work plans, budgets, and policies, procedures, and objectives.  Determines unit priorities; assigns staff to sponsor, organization, and facility reviews based on directives, monthly reports, and review of program documents; and ensures that required numbers of site reviews are conducted each year.  Conducts quality reviews of staff reports to ensure consistency in the level of program review, and regulatory compliance.  Analyzes operational statistics to determine program needs, and to make recommendations to higher level staff regarding program improvements, changes, and strategic planning activities.

PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITIONIST 3:  Performs the duties of a Public Health Nutritionist 2.  Supervises Public Health Nutritionists 2 and lower level nutrition staff in the performance of nutrition program functions.  Manages large regional or statewide public health nutrition programs by setting program priorities, objectives, and deadlines; coordinating program reviews, overseeing all program staff; and ensuring federal and State regulatory requirements are met.  Develops, implements, and revises program-wide policies, procedures, and guidelines.  Promotes public health nutrition education activities through development, revision, and approval of training and education materials for use with participating agencies, DOH staff, and the public.  Reviews operational data to perform quality assurance functions, to make decisions regarding resource utilization and program direction, and to perform strategic planning activities.  Proposes DOH nutrition program budgets based on review of available resources.  Represents DOH on matters related to assigned public health nutrition programs, and reports outcomes and significant program issues to upper level program staff and agency executives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITIONIST 1

Open Competitive: current registration as a Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with the Commission on Dietetic Registration,* and two years of post-registration full-time professional experience in the field of dietetics or nutrition.

PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITIONIST 2

Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Public Health Nutritionist 1.

PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITIONIST 3

Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Public Health Nutritionist 2.

*The Commission on Dietetic Registration is the credentialing agency for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Current registration is required for all three levels of the series.

Date: 6/19

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.