Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations)

Summary

The Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations) oversees the food service and production operation providing administrative and technical supervision over staff at the W.G. "Bill" Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center; Salisbury, NC. The Supervisory Dietitian is responsible for the execution of food service and production operations to meet individual meal needs through Veteran-centric, "Food Forward" meal programs.

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Duties

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Duties listed are not inclusive of all duties associated with this position:

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties:

• Serves as professional and technical advisor to staff and other health care professionals.
• Represents the food operations section on projects, committees and/or workgroups within the department and the facility.
• Assumes full responsibility for planning, directing, and assessing the work and competence of subordinate staff.
• Develops procedures and guidelines for food operations. Coordinates food service operation policies and procedures with clinical nutrition management, nursing, and other services, as applicable.
• Monitors compliance with regulatory standards, policies, and procedures.
• Participates in performance improvement efforts within the Food Service Operations section, acting on quality improvement data and plans. Completes internal audits of food service and food production. Completes routine kitchen inspections.
• Leads the action planning process to attain goals and resolve deficiencies.
• Implements the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) program ensuring that requisitioning, receipt/storage, preparation and service of food conforms to quality/quantity standards.
• Ensures menus meet nutritional and budgetary requirements.
• Builds and implements contingency plans within the section, ensuring continuity of food operations during internal and external emergency situations and unusual circumstances.
• Manges emergency feeding cache and ensures menus and supplies meet facility and The Joint Commission requirements.
• Collaborates with the clinical nutrition staff, bridging the work of the food service section with the nutritional care plans for Veterans.

Supervisory Controls:

• The incumbent works under the general supervision of a Supervisory Dietitian, GS-13 or above, 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.
• Work is reviewed to ensure that overall objectives of the position are met.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm (May include occasional holiday or weekend work based on operational needs)

Telework : Not Available

Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Fi nancial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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 ( 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.
• 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 : Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations), GS-12

• 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 standards to assess staff compliance and implement performance improvements.
  • (b) Skill in establishing goals and objectives to coordinate activities evaluate accomplishments and solve problems.
  • (c) Skill in applying nutritional knowledge to ensure menus meet nutrition standards.
  • (d) Ability to utilize Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines in order to develop, implement and coordinate best practices
  • (e) Ability to serve as a food operations expert, providing technical guidance, direction and staff development.
  • (f) Ability to supervise subordinate staff (i.e., plan, organize, delegate, direct, control and review activities and performance).
  • (g) Ability to analyze data in order to recommend allocation of resources.

Preferred Experience: RDN Credential / Meets VA Qualification Standards. Previous management experience.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, APPENDIX G20. DIETITIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-630, Dated October 14, 2022

Physical Requirements: The position requires intermittent walking and standing. Carrying normal amounts of written/reference materials is routinely done. Occasionally, duties may require the movement of audio-visual equipment, charts and arrangement of classroom areas.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.