Lactation Consultant (
County Classification:
Public Health Nutritionist I/II) Salary $70,616.00
- $99,257.60 Annually Location North County (e.g. Atascadero/Paso Robles), CA Job Type Permanent
- Hourly Job Number 0526PM-001347-01 Department Health Agency Division Health Agency
- Public Health Opening Date 05/21/2026 Closing Date 6/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific Description Benefits Questions About the Position The County of San Luis Obispo is committed to providing exceptional maternal and infant care, with a strong emphasis on promoting breastfeeding to support optimal health outcomes.
The Public Health Department is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Lactation Consultant to join our team and support the needs of low-income families. This full-time, permanent position within the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program will serve clients in Paso Robles and Atascadero. Applicants must hold current certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). The Lactation Consultant will be eligible for a 5% pay differential for maintaining IBCLC certification. In this role, the lactation consultant will provide comprehensive lactation support for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers enrolled in the WIC program. Responsibilities include conducting infant weight checks, nursing and latch assessments, monitoring milk supply, offering reassurance and education to families, distributing and explaining the use of electric breast pumps, and more.
Examples of Duties:
Conduct comprehensive lactation assessments for mothers and infants, including evaluation of latch, milk transfer, and overall breastfeeding dynamics. Lactation consulting services are delivered primarily in-person, with occasional support provided by phone, or telehealth. Collaborate with breastfeeding peer counselors, healthcare providers, including physicians, lactation consultants, nurses, and midwives to develop and implement breastfeeding care plans. Issue electric breast pumps to WIC participants and provide clear instructions on the use and care of the departmental equipment. Refer participants to appropriate community resources to support additional needs. Accurately document lactation assessments, interventions, and outcomes in the WIC Wise system. Stay current on research, guidelines, and best practices in lactation and breastfeeding support, and integrate new knowledge into WIC service delivery. Click here to see the full job description for Public Health Nutritionist I. Click here to see the full job description for Public Health Nutritionist II. This recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, substitute, limited term, and temporary positions, both full-time and part-time throughout the County. The Ideal Candidate The Ideal Candidate will have knowledge on the following areas: Strong clinical assessment and critical thinking skills, with the ability to identify and effectively address breastfeeding challenges. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the capacity to build rapport and trust with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds. A commitment to evidence-based practice and on-going professional development in lactation and breastfeeding support. Proficiency in using electronic medical records and related digital tools for accurate documentation and communication. Demonstrated cultural competence and cultural humility in all client interactions. Familiarity with local community-based organizations that provide health and social services for low-income families.
Minimum Qualifications:
A combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:
Public Health Nutritionist I:
A bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited college or university in nutrition, dietetics, or a closely related field.
Public Health Nutritionist II:
A bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited college or university in nutrition, dietetics, or a closely related field, AND valid certification as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Commission on Dietetic Registration. Licenses and Certificates Current certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) is required at time of application and must be maintained throughout employment. A valid California Driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. How to Apply Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. Apply for this position at governmentjobs.com/careers/slocountyca. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application. Your attached resume will not substitute for the completion of the application. Please complete all required fields and supplemental questions. Be advised that while use of AI is common practice, we want to see your individual style and critical thinking skills in your answers to the supplemental questions. An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews. Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process. If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us . Confidential inquiries are welcome. For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov . Reasonable Accommodation Notice Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail hr@co.slo.ca.us for more information. Veteran's Preference Points If you are applying for employment with the County of San Luis Obispo and you served in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible for veteran's preference points as part of the recruitment process. Some dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may also be eligible for preference points. Click here for more information and to learn how to apply for this benefit. Please note that Veteran's credits must be on file with the County of San Luis Obispo Veterans Services Office prior to the recruitment closing date indicated on the job announcement . Equal Employment Opportunity The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors. In addition, the County complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in hiring and retaining employees. For more information contact the Human Resources Department at (805)781-5959. Make a Difference Employees of the County of San Luis Obispo are public servants who impact the lives of our community every day. From supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, keeping our drinking water clean, or serving the families in need in the community, County employees make a difference. Compensation and Benefits Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package. In general, temporary employees are not eligible for County-sponsored benefits and may have limited benefit options available to them. For more information on benefit eligibility, please e-mail hr@co.slo.ca.us . For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated Benefits-At-A-Glance webpage (click here for link) .
Some benefits include:
- Medical (PPO, EPO, HDHP), Dental (HMO, PPO) and Vision Insurance
- Health enhancing programs such as Hinge Health, GIThrive and Carrum Health for medical enrollees.
- Cafeteria (County contribution to pay for insurance premiums)
- Free visits to the employee health clinic
- Mental Health resources/benefits including Headspace
- Voluntary insurance plans (life insurance, disability, critical illness and many more)
- A lifelong retirement benefit through the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust
- Optional deferred compensation plan
- Tax savings accounts (medical and dependent care)
- Paid personal, sick and vacation days
- 12 paid holidays
- Employee Assistance Program
- Education and Wellness Allowance
- Post Employment Health Plan
- Family Friendly workplace policies
- Flexible work schedule options
- Rideshare commuter benefits
- Pet Insurance The County of San Luis Obispo has been recognized as a Diamond Level Family Friendly Workplace by San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce.
We support our employees through:
childcare assistance, flexible scheduling practices, paid and unpaid leave, comprehensive health benefits, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs.
Pension Benefit and Employee Contribution Rates:
The County's pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The County is the primary contributor to the pension fund, but the health of the pension fund also depends on mandatory employee contributions. Employees are required to pay a percentage of their base pay towards the pension fund, ranging from 5% to 19%. This amount is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax every pay period. To find out how much will be deducted from your paycheck should you be hired for this position, please contact Pension Trust at (805) 781-5465.
Healthcare Benefits and Cafeteria Contributions:
The County offers comprehensive medical coverage to you and your family, along with two dental plan options and vision coverage. All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution (or 'cafeteria' contribution) to help them pay for their portion of the medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. The amount of the cafeteria contribution varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and the extent to which employees enroll their dependents. If the cafeteria amount is greater than your selected premiums, the remainder of the cafeteria is paid out to you in your paycheck as taxable income. If the cafeteria amount is less than your monthly premiums, you pay the remainder of the premiums with pre-tax wages. To estimate your out-of-pocket costs (or cashback from extra cafeteria), visit the Cafeteria Rates webpage (click here for link) . Learning and Development The County prioritizes your learning, personal and professional development, and career growth. Employees have access to over 1500 on-demand courses, instructor led courses, and job-specific trainings. Employees can take courses to upskill to make themselves more competitive for promotional opportunities and further their career growth.
Examples of courses include:
- Emotional Intelligence
- Supervisor/Manager academies
- Microsoft Suite courses
- Defensive Driving
- Financial management
- Retirement preparedness
- Teambuilding
- Written Communication
- Conflict Management
- Clifton StrengthsFinder and DISC
- Job specific conferences/trainings Student Loan Forgiveness Did you know that if you are employed by a government agency you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program County employees also have access to GotZoom, a program that offers tools and support to navigate your federal student loans.
Homebuyer assistance program Employees have access to the "Assist-to-Own" program sponsored by Golden State Finance Authority (click here for link to more information) to get a loan for the down payment. 01 Do you possess a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited college or university in nutrition, dietetics, or a closely related field? Yes No 02 Do you possess current certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)? Yes No 03 Please share your level of proficiency with spoken, written, and translation to/from Spanish. 04 Describe your experience working with clients and/or coworkers with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints. 05 Do you have any experience with the WIC Program? If yes, please describe. Required Question Employer County of San Luis Obispo Address 1055 Monterey Street Suite D-250 San Luis Obispo, California, 93408 Phone 805-781-5959 Website http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/