Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations)

Major 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. Coordinate food service operation policies and procedures with clinical nutrition management nursing and other services as applicable.
• 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.
• Devises solutions and implements action plan to resolve issues and meet service goals and objectives leading to improved patient satisfaction and quality food operations.
• Participates 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.
• Assesses technological equipment innovations and reviews specifications making recommendations for equipment purchases.
• Builds and implements contingency plans within the section ensuring continuity of food operations during internal and external emergency situations and unusual circumstances.
• Executes the training plan for the food operations section. Orients and trains employees related to food service and food production and appropriate policies and procedures. Assists with new employee onboarding in food service and food production.
• Collaborates with the clinical nutrition staff bridging the work of the food service section with the nutritional care plans for Veterans.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm may vary based on dept./mission needs.
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD99520S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

• 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 drivers 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 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.

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
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:

• Knowledge of standards to assess staff compliance and implement performance improvements.
• Skill in establishing goals and objectives 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.