Health & Safety Consultant

To apply professional expertise and work in cooperation with all other disciplines (Education/Disabilities, Family Services/Mental Health, Food Service) in order to provide internal consulting services, training, and compliance monitoring for both Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The Health & Nutrition Consultant will assure that adequate training is provided to parents and staff and that site reviews are completed to monitor program compliance per Federal Head Start Performance Standards and any local, state and or agency policies and procedures.

1. Respond to identified health and nutrition needs within the organization and provide expertise and support in specialty areas.
2. Use multidisciplinary team approach to develop and provide health and nutrition services to children, families and staff
3. Provide information, referral, and coordinating efforts to link staff and families to appropriate community resources.
4. Provide guidance to managers and be active in the safety committee regarding the assessment and follow-up of safety concerns and hazards.
5. In collaboration with managers and other consultants, develop and maintain policies and procedures in specialty areas.

1. Design and deliver training to staff, parents and community organizations to include best practices in the health and nutrition field as well as community collaboration opportunities and services in Head Start and Early Head Start.

1. Establish and maintain relationships and collaboration with the medical and dental communities and other community agencies and partners.
2. Recruit and manage HSAC (Health Services Advisory Committee)
3. Participate on community projects, workgroups, initiatives and data collection.

1. Conduct visits at all Head Start and Early Head Start locations to promote problem solving and support to regional staff.
2. Participate in the coordination of the program’s annual self assessment and conduct annual team performance reviews at each Head Start and Early Head Start location.
3. Assess, identify (includes individual child assessments) document, plan and evaluate all health and nutrition-related services to ensure best possible health/nutrition outcomes for children and families.
4. Manage contracts with Registered Dietitians and Food Services Manager to assure that nutrition services meet Head Start and Early Head Start performance standards.
5. Accompany family services staff to home visits for high risk pregnant women and medically fragile children in Head Start and EHS.
6. Accompany family services staff on “new baby” home visits in EHS within first 2 weeks of baby’s birth.
7. Review and analyze data from Agency adopted information’s system, including quarterly monitoring of individual family and classrooms to ensure nutrition and health needs are being met.
8. Provide and monitor Staff Health Questionnaire system for program compliance.
9. Provide management support to OSHA mandated Safety Committee.

1. Supervise, direct and support the Health Services Assistant and the Health & Nutrition Specialist.

1. Attend meetings, staffings, trainings and professional development activities as appropriate.
2. Review and authorize medical and dental funds disbursement for child and pregnant women health services.
3. Perform other duties as requested.
4. All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start’s policy on confidentiality.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in relevant discipline, combined with at least two years of professional level experience in Health Services, preferably in a social service environment.
• Oregon Registered Nursing License required.
• Experience in design and delivery of training.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Bilingual English/Spanish skills highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of local community resources in specialty area.
• Current training/certification requirements to teach Infant/Child CPR and First Aid.
• Must have a valid Oregon Driver’s License and proof of insurance and provide own vehicle.
• Health Appraisal Questionnaire is required at hire and will be updated every two years.
• At time of hire must be currently enrolled in Child Care Division-Criminal History Registry and must renew every two years.

• Ability to determine and prioritize demanding workload while being flexible to emergent/unplanned needs and situations.
• Significant decision making and problem solving in many areas including the allocation of resources to program components, supervisory issues, scheduling and provision of program services.
• Ability to handle highly stressful and sensitive situations in a professional manner.
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion in all staff, child and family interactions.
• Ability to interpret and implement complex policies and regulations.
• Ability to work independently and maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Regular standing, kneeling, stooping, bending, sitting at desk, computer use and driving.
• Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.

• Full Year/Exempt Position
• Supervised by Head Start Director

Updated 08/01/06, 06/25/2009 06/2018. August 2021

This job description was last updated on 08/11/2021. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description is subject to change at any time.

Head Start of Lane County is an EEO Employer.
Head Start of Lane County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions, including the recruiting, hiring, placement, training availability, promotion, compensation, evaluation, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment (if necessary) are made without regard to the employee’s race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy or childbirth, personal appearance, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, source of income, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.