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.

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 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.

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

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.