Summary Supervisory Dietitians in this assignment serve as Chief of Nutrition and Food Service and have administrative and technical supervision over staff from both clinical nutrition and food operations sections. Responsibilities Oversees all human resource functions for the department. Holds staff accountable for performance and conduct. Establishes performance standards and evaluates overall performance of employees. Defines competency requirements, identifies developmental and training needs, and takes necessary actions to ensure subordinate personnel maintain and enhance technical and leadership expertise. Develops budget and staffing requirements to manage organizational changes and ensure national directives and goals/objectives are met. Communicates and advocates with executive leadership for resources. Develops the NFS strategic plan, establishing service priorities which address the goals and strategic direction of the medical center, VISN and national programs. Implements a performance improvement program to continually improve delivery of quality, safe and cost-effective food and nutrition care to all residents. Develops and updates policies and procedures and establishes and oversees a system for regulatory compliance. Ensures NFS compliance with accrediting bodies, standards, and action items. Establishes the department organizational structure, defining the lines of authority essential to carry out the mission of the service. Responsible for accomplishing priorities and ensuring compliance with VHA directives and medical center policy and procedures. Oversees the planning of new endeavors addressing patient care delivery systems and system reorganizations for new or redesigned operational space, equipment requirements, etc. Ensures adherence to the National Dietary Supplement and Subsistence Prime Vendor contracts. Designates the Contracting Officer Representative to negotiate purchase agreements for NFS contracts. Implements security measures in all NFS areas to protect against theft, reduce the risk of food terrorism and maintain Veteran and staff safety. Ensures the dissemination of nutrition related research and quality improvement within the department and facility. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm or 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available, Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD99499S 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 identification 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. English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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). Grade Determinations: Supervisory Dietitian (Chief, Nutrition and Food Services), GS-13. Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of security measures within food operations to ensure patient and staff safety. (b) Knowledge of business administration to include budgeting, contracting and purchasing. (c) Knowledge of organizational structure to assess impact on program operations. (d) Skill in strategic planning to develop goals, objectives and action plans. (e) Skill in written communication to include policy development and standard operating procedures. (f) Skill in analyzing data to monitor progress towards improving and sustaining outcomes. (g) Ability to lead a group of professionals to facilitate collaboration, organizational development and establish and achieve strategic goals. (h) Ability to oversee the planning of new initiatives or projects addressing patient care delivery systems and system reorganizations (i) Ability to supervise subordinate staff (i.e., plan, organize, delegate, direct, control and review activities and performance). (j) Ability to negotiate. Preferred Experience: The incumbent works under the general supervision of an executive team member who establishes objectives and department priorities. The incumbent is expected to complete work assignments with relative independence and minimal guidance, personally setting the deadlines for completion of work. Assumes responsibility in work assignments in accordance with regulations and independently resolves most conflicts by using considerable judgment and interpretation. Master's degree preferred. Experience with supervision preferred. Experience in both food operations and clinical nutrition preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), operation of motor vehicle, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, and far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other. Environmental factors include outside and inside and working alone. 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.
