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Program Assistant (WIC) – Bilingual Preferred

Catawba County -
Hickory, NC

Job Details

Full-time
$40,241.74 a year

Benefits

Wellness program
Health savings account
Paid holidays
Disability insurance
Health insurance
Dental insurance
401(k)
Flexible spending account
Tuition reimbursement
401(k) 5% Match
Employee assistance program
Vision insurance
Gym membership
Flexible schedule
Life insurance

Qualifications

Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Computer literacy
Clerical experience
Quality data entry

Full Job Description

New as of 01/01/2026:

Your well-being matters from the start — benefited new hires are eligible for up to 40 hours of advanced annual leave and 40 hours of advanced sick leave.

Position Description

Catawba County Public Health is seeking a Program Assistant for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. Do you enjoy engaging directly with community members and making a difference? Are you detail-focused with excellent accuracy and computer proficiency? In this role, you'll interview existing and prospective WIC clients, collecting, verifying, and assessing information to confirm eligibility. Additionally, you'll assist in managing a continuous caseload of WIC participants.

Preference for applicants fluent in English and Spanish. Bilingual extra duty pay is provided.

Responsibilities

Interview clients to determine eligibility for the WIC program
Issue electronic food benefits
Answer phones and schedule appointments for current and potentially eligible applicants
Educate clients on how to use electronic food benefits and participate in the program following the Federal Guidelines of the WIC program
Ensure accurate data entry and paper documentation
Offer nutrition education during interim visits as appropriate
Weigh and measure women, infants, and children, and complete finger sticks

Qualifications

Associate’s degree in Human Services, Medical Office, or Business Administration and 1 year of clerical experience, preferably in a public health or medical office; OR
High school diploma or GED equivalent and 3 years of clerical experience, preferably in a public health or medical office

Additional Requirements

Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and electronic data entry
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work with diverse populations
High level of accuracy and attention to detail
Ability to interpret local, state, and federal guidelines and regulations for use in carrying out daily job responsibilities
This is considered medium work, which requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally to assist children and 20 pounds more frequently, which could include supplies, etc.

Preferences:

Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish (strongly preferred)

As of 7/1/2025:
You will find that Catawba County has one of the best benefits packages around. Our Human Resources staff are dedicated to keeping in touch with trends in benefits on both a local and national level, listening to employees' suggestions regarding benefits, and continually reviewing to ensure our benefits package is of good quality and meets the needs of both our employees and our organization.
Available benefits include:

Health Care

Health: For a small bi-weekly premium, employees may choose between a traditional (co-pay) health plan and a high deductible health plan coupled with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Coverage may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), or family.
Dental Insurance: At no cost to full-time employees, the County covers preventive, routine, and non-routine care. Coverage for the same benefits may also be purchased for spouse, child(ren), and family. In addition, a $2,000 benefit toward orthodontia coverage is provided for children up to age 19.
Vision Care: Coverage is available, at group rates, for employee and dependents,with 2 plan options to choose from.
Supplemental critical care and accident insurance plans: These optional coverage plans are available at a nominal cost.
Flexible Spending Accounts: Pre-tax accounts that can be used to pay for qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses.

Employee Wellness

Employee Health Clinic (EHC): An employee medical clinic, available to all County employees, which operates 40 hours a week. Services provided include acute care, first aid, evaluation and care for workers' compensation injuries, pre-employment screenings, health education, and behavioral health referrals. Services are offered both in person and through telehealth. Acute care is available to employee’s children ages 3-17, regardless of health insurance coverage, and for employee’s adult children (ages 18-26) or employee’s spouse if covered on the county’s health insurance.
Wellness: The County recognizes the importance of our health and well-being. We maintain a very proactive and effective Wellness Program, including reimbursement and discounts for gym membership, incentives for physical activity, on-site nutrition counseling, free exercise opportunities, wellness education, and more.
Employee Assistance Program: Counseling services are available to all County employees and immediate family members in the home. Services are provided in a private and confidential setting (in-person or virtually). The County provides coverage for the first six visits.

Work Life Balance

Annual Leave:Full-time employees earn from 10-24 days annually based on years of service. Service credit from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
- To help new employees settle in, up to 40 hours of annual leave is advanced upon hire, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
Sick Leave:Full-time employees earn one day (8 hours) of sick leave per month. Sick leave from other NC and Local Governments in the retirement system may be transferred to the County.
- New hires are advanced up to 40 hours of sick leave, with first-year accruals adjusted to align with established annual limits.
Holiday Leave: Throughout the year, 11 days of paid leave are provided in recognition of holidays.
Flexible work schedules.
Time off for activities that support our local schools.
Continuing educational assistance.
Discount tickets to recreational venues.
Employee appreciation days/activities.
Tax-free flexible spending account to pay for dependent care.

Financial Security

Local Governmental Employees Retirement System: For employees assigned to work 20 hours per week or more in a benefitted position, participation in this program is automatic. Employees contribute 6% of their salary, which is tax-deferred. After (5) years of creditable service, you become fully vested in the retirement system. Employees may also take advantage of individual and group retirement counseling through the Human Resources department.
401K: The County provides a 2% contribution plus an additional 1% match (up to 3% total contribution by the County). Our sworn law enforcement officers receive a flat 5% contribution to their 401k.
Other Tax Deferred Programs: Other tax-sheltering programs are available through IRS Code 125 (Cafeteria Plan), and a 457 supplemental retirement plan (Deferred Compensation).
Longevity Pay: After 5 years of creditable service, employees receive an annual longevity payment that is paid every year thereafter. This lump sum payment rewards employees for their length of service to Catawba County. The amount is based on years of service.
Life Insurance: Death benefit equal to one times the employee’s annual salary, with a minimum coverage amount of $25,000. Optional supplemental life insurance coverage is also available for both employee and dependents through payroll deduction at group rates.
Short Term Disability: Available at no cost to employees, benefits are available after a 55-day waiting period.
Long Term Disability: Available through payroll deduction at group rates.
Eligibility for membership and financial services at State Employees Credit Union (SECU)/Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).

Position Description

Responsibilities

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