Summary The Lyons VA Medical Center is hiring a Supervisory Dietitian within Food Operations. The incumbent is expected to spend 25% of their time at the East Orange VA Medical Center. This assignment oversees a food service and production operation providing administrative and technical supervision over staff. Responsibilities Duties to include, but are not limited to: Serve as professional and technical advisor to staff and other health care professionals. Represent the food operations section on projects, committees and/or workgroups within the department and the facility. Assume full responsibility for planning, directing, and assessing the work and competence of subordinate staff. Develop procedures and guidelines for food operations. Coordinate food service operation policies and procedures with clinical nutrition management, nursing, and other services, as applicable. Monitor compliance with regulatory standards, policies, and procedures. Participate in performance improvement efforts within the Food Service Operations section, acting on quality improvement data and plans. Complete internal audits of food service and food production. Complete routine kitchen inspections. Lead the action planning process to attain goals and resolve deficiencies. Implement the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) program ensuring that requisitioning, receipt/storage, preparation and service of food conforms to quality/quantity standards. Evaluate food operations to ensure proper allocation of resources. Devise solutions and implements action plans to resolve issues and meet service goals and objectives leading to improved patient satisfaction and quality food operations. Participate in an active patient test tray program including evaluation of overall tray accuracy, food safety, quality and palatability, temperature, exceptional service, and implementing similar evaluations for bulk service settings, such as dining rooms or cafeteria settings. Ensure menus meet nutritional and budgetary requirements. Assess technological equipment innovations and reviews specifications, making recommendations for equipment purchases. Build and implements contingency plans within the section, ensuring continuity of food operations during internal and external emergency situations and unusual circumstances. Manage emergency feeding cache and ensures menus and supplies meet facility and The Joint Commission requirements. Execute the training plan for the food operations section. Orient and train employees related to food service and food production and appropriate policies and procedures. Assist with new employee onboarding in food service and food production. Collaborate with the clinical nutrition staff, bridging the work of the food service section with the nutritional care plans for Veterans. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Ad-hoc in accordance with agency policies. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD99520S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) - Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing branch of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics formerly known as the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Current VHA Dietitians that qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision may not be promoted to a higher grade if they do not meet the current RDN/RD requirements. Grade Determinations: GS-12 Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations) Experience Requirement: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-12 you must possess at least 1 year of experience as an RDN/RD equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) which demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of standards to assess staff compliance and implement performance improvements. Skill in establishing goals and objectives in order to coordinate activities, evaluate accomplishments and solve problems. Skill in applying nutritional knowledge to ensure menus meet nutrition standards. Ability to utilize Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines in order to develop, implement and coordinate best practices. Ability to serve as a food operations expert, providing technical guidance, direction and staff development. Ability to supervise subordinate staff (i.e., plan, organize, delegate, direct, control and review activities and performance). Ability to analyze data in order to recommend allocation of resources. Preferred Experience: Experience working in food service within a health care setting. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019 Education ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
