Program Vendor Compliance Assistant (Bilingual English/Spanish)

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an experienced public health professional to serve as the WIC Program Vendor Compliance Assistant. As an essential member of the Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition, you will be instrumental in ensuring the integrity and efficacy of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC Program). Your responsibilities will encompass diverse areas including providing crucial support to the WIC Program Vendor Unit, delivering training and technical assistance to WIC Program retailers, and facilitating seamless communication between Spanish-speaking vendors and WIC participants. This position will support the WIC Program Vendor Unit as well as local WIC program staff and WIC participants in all aspects of vendor correspondence. Areas of focus will be providing training and technical assistance to WIC Program retailers, developing and implementing vendor policies and procedures, and providing technical assistance for WIC Card transaction issues.

Your role will involve the development and implementation of vendor policies and procedures, focusing on compliance and operational efficiency. A significant aspect of your duties will be conducting retailer training sessions, both in English and Spanish, emphasizing adherence to program guidelines and regulations. You will also serve as a liaison for Spanish-speaking vendors, fostering effective communication channels and facilitating problem resolution. Additionally, you will play a pivotal role in the implementation of the WIC Online Ordering Project, contributing to the program's evolution and adaptability in the digital landscape. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on public health outcomes while fostering collaborative relationships within the WIC community.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Serves as a liaison with Spanish speaking vendors and WIC participants, conduct retailer training in Spanish, and assists with all written translation materials from English to Spanish.

• Assists in developing and implementing policies and procedures within the Vendor Unit, with emphasis on vendor training and compliance. Maintains liaison with local programs and vendors on issues related to the Vendor Application process, Vendor Agreement, WIC Card issues, and the WIC Approved Food List.

• Provides training and technical assistance to local WIC Programs, retail stores, and WIC participants on compliance and retail store related issues.

• Supports the Vendor Specialist with the maintenance of the WIC Program Approved Product Listing "APL".

• Responds to daily emails from the DPH WIC info mailbox and the WIC Shopper app.

• Conducts English and Spanish training sessions for WIC retailers.

• Performs initial site visits for new retailer applicants to verify compliance with the WIC Vendor Selection criteria and verify the accuracy of the Vendor Application.

• Serves as liaison with Spanish speaking vendors to exchange information and/or to resolve problems.

• Manages the Vendor and Operations component of the local program Management Evaluation, including scheduling, evaluating LPE results and tracking local program monitoring visits.

• Confers with WIC management staff to provide information regarding program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, and to plan changes in policies and procedures.

• Participates in the implementation of the WIC Online Ordering Project.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal English and Spanish.

• Ability to understand, explain and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, etc. governing assigned unit activities.

• Skill to analyze and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.

• Talent to write concisely to express thoughts clearly and develop ideas in a logical sequence.

• Able to adjust to varying or changing situations to meet emergency or changing program requirements.

• Capable of exercising sound judgement and discretion in handling confidential information.

• The possession of a valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator license is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of the Massachusetts WIC Program at a state and local level.

• Ability to interpret, understand, and apply federal and state laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures relevant to WIC Program Vendor Unit activities.

• Proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Teams and Excel.

• Excellent time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize work and maintain high attention to detail.

About The WIC Program:

The Massachusetts WIC Program is a state and federally funded health and nutrition program serving low- to moderate-income women, infants and children under five with-or at risk of developing-nutrition related health problems. Designed to influence lifetime nutrition and health behaviors, WIC provides dietary assessments, nutrition education and counseling, nutritious foods prescribed for the individual by a nutritionist, and referrals to other health and social services. WIC also provides immunization screening and distributes coupons for fresh produce redeemable at Farmers' Markets.

The Massachusetts WIC Program is part of the Nutrition Division within the Bureau of Family, Health and Nutrition, of the Department of Public Health.

For more information about the Massachusetts WIC Program, please visit our website.

DPH Mission Statement:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high-quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth. We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. According to comparative analyses, Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states, but we still face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious diseases, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.

More information can be found at: www.mass.gov/DPH

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the-required experience.*

II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.*

III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.*

• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 ("Regulation") requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.