Breastfeeding Peer Counselor II at Cambridge Health Alliance – Somerville, Massachusetts

Location: WIC Cambridge-Somerville

Category: Human and Social Services

Department: WIC Peer Counselors

Job Type: Per Diem On Call

Union Name: Non Union

Length Of Shift(s) In Hours: Vary

Shift Start + End Times: Vary

Weekend Requirements: Yes

Holiday Requirements: Yes

Department Description

At Cambridge Health Alliance, our Department of Community Health is dedicated to improving the well-being of our communities through collaborative partnerships, education, and accessible clinical services. We are committed to reducing health inequities, understanding and addressing the unique health needs of our community members, and serving as a vital link between patients, staff, and essential community resources. Our work is driven by a focus on health justice and equity, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their best health.

The Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) offers the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, a free nutrition program for eligible families in Massachusetts. WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition counseling, health education, and breastfeeding support to pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of five. The program aims to improve prenatal and birth outcomes for women, and promote healthier growth and development for children

Job Summary

As a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, you will oversee breastfeeding support services at the WIC site under the guidance of the Breastfeeding Coordinator. You will act as an integral member of the team, fostering a positive work environment while initiating duties with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

Counseling & Education: Provide direct counseling to pregnant and breastfeeding women throughout their journey.

Class Management: Lead online breastfeeding classes, including creating course materials and managing enrollment.

Referrals & Collaboration: Review cases and make recommendations for referrals to IBCLC, CHA, or other state services in collaboration with senior clinical staff.

Mentorship & Training: Train and demonstrate counselor work to new staff, interns, and Peer Counselors to help them build necessary skills.
Administrative Support: Maintian breasfeeding contact logs and attent monthly staff meetings and state agency training as required

Qualifications & Requirements

Experience: 2–3 years of experience as a Peer Counselor.

Certification: CLC certification is preferred.

Language Skills: Fluency in a second language is required (Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole).

Flexibility: Must be available to work across multiple locations

Please note that the final offer may vary within the listed Pay Range, based on a candidate's experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity considerations.

In keeping with federal, state and local laws, Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) policy forbids employees and associates to discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to establishing and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not tolerate unlawful discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, termination, promotion, salary treatment or any other condition of employment or career development. Furthermore, we will not tolerate the use of discriminatory slurs, or other remarks, jokes or conduct, that in the judgment of CHA, encourage or permit an offensive or hostile work environment.