Lactation Consultant

Join a mission-driven organization dedicated to providing high-quality early childhood education and family support services in Orange and Sullivan Counties.

The Part-Time Lactation Consultant provides specialized support to families in determining the best approach to feeding their infants, with a focus on promoting and supporting breastfeeding when chosen. This role ensures appropriate accommodations and space for families who wish to nurse during program hours, delivers staff and family education on lactation, breast milk handling, and infant feeding best practices, and works in collaboration with health, nutrition, and family services staff to support positive health outcomes for infants and families.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Planning

• Plan lactation education sessions for staff and families to promote breastfeeding best practices

• Plan for the availability of private and comfortable lactation spaces within program centers

• Collaborate with health and nutrition staff to develop infant feeding policies and procedures in compliance with HSPPS and NYS regulations

Program Implementation

• Provide one-on-one lactation consultations to families, both prenatally and postpartum

• Ensure appropriate space and resources for families who choose to breastfeed during program hours

• Support staff in understanding and implementing breast milk storage, handling, and feeding procedures

• Work with nutrition and health staff to ensure infant feeding practices meet CACFP requirements and individual child needs

Family Partnerships

• Develop trusting relationships with families to support informed infant feeding choices

• Offer culturally and linguistically responsive lactation support services and support for expressed breast milk

• Provide referrals to community lactation resources and healthcare providers when necessary

Communication and Service Coordination

• Coordinate with the Health Coordinator and Food and Nutrition Services to ensure consistent lactation support across centers

• Communicate with family service staff to integrate lactation support into family partnership agreements and health plans

• Attend community events and meetings to obtain and share resources, and recruit eligible pregnant women

• Oversee program wide messaging supporting prenatal health and lactation

Record Keeping and Recording

• Document lactation consultations, parent education sessions, and follow-up needs in the Go Engage database

• Ensure confidentiality of family health and feeding information

On-going Monitoring and Self-assessment

• Participate in program self-assessment and continuous improvement planning related to infant feeding and lactation support

• Evaluate effectiveness of lactation support services and recommend improvements

Human Resources and Supervision

• Provide training to staff on lactation support, breast milk handling, and responsive feeding practices

Program Governance and Leadership

• Contribute to policy and procedure development related to infant feeding and lactation services

• Recruit and supervise volunteers within assigned service areas, ensuring accurate in-kind documentation is submitted monthly

Additional Expectations

• Maintain confidentiality of child, family, and staff information at all times in accordance with program policies and regulations

• Travel between program sites and occasional overnight travel for training and conferences may be required

• Perform other duties as assigned to support program success and compliance with HSPPS and NYS OCFS regulations

Head Start Employee Expectations

• Uphold the shared values of the center

• Cooperate with co-workers, provide assistance, information or other support as needed to ensure quality service to children and families and to build and maintain positive staff relationships

• Actively participate in Head Start community, including staff meetings, mandated trainings, committee meetings, and other program-wide functions as needed, including some evening activities

• Recognize that your job description is service area specific and that a successful employee upholds the overall employment standards outlined in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual and specifically, but not limited to: confidentiality, child abuse reporting, attendance and dependability, appropriate dress, customer service and support to all families, prudent use of program resources, and promoting and maintaining a safe work environment

• Demonstrate integrity and responsibility by always doing one’s personal best, being honest and ethical, following through on commitments

• Maintain a commitment to professionalism, continue own professional development and manage performance by taking responsibility for one’s own performance, setting goals, eliciting feedback, tracking progress and addressing performance issues promptly. Attend local, state and regional initiatives to represent the center and to develop professionally

• Exhibit flexibility by showing an openness to different and new ways of doing things, and changing strategy when an initial strategy is unsuccessful

• Show initiative by identifying what needs to be done and doing it before being asked or before the situation requires it

• Familiarize self with Head Start Performance Standards and any State regulations pertaining to Head Start

• Stay up to date on changing community needs, services, and agency resources to support families in attaining self-sufficiency and assuring program resources are up to date and relevant

Qualifications

• Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) or International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

• Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and New York State OCFS childcare regulations

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Experience with service delivery for diverse populations, including low-income families, children with disabilities, and English-language learners

• Proficiency in relevant software systems for data management and reporting

• Ability to work in a professional manner both independently and with others in a team environment

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Strong organizational skills

• Ability to perform assigned duties in a safe and efficient manner

• Able to tolerate occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds

• Able to tolerate daily sitting working at computer and standing to operate various office equipment

• Able to tolerate daily repetitive hand and wrist motions, via production/copying, keyboarding, phone work

• Able to comprehend assignments, determine and prioritize workload, multi-task, problem solve and meet deadlines

• Handle frequent in-person, virtual and phone contact with staff and public, often involving confidential information

• Pass physical examination, background check, and fingerprinting screen

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Regional Economic Community Action Program, Inc. (RECAP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.