Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations)

Summary

The Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations) assignment oversee food service and production operation providing administrative and technical supervision over staff. They are responsible for the execution of Food Service and Production operations to meet individual meal needs through Veteran-centric, Food Forward meal programs with conventional cooking, convenience cooking, advance food preparation and delivery, room service, or combination of food production and service modalities.

Duties

• FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE. - 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. - Evaluates food operations to ensure proper allocation of resources. - Devises solutions and implements action plans 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. - Ensures menus meet nutritional and budgetary requirements. - 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. - Manages emergency feeding cache and ensures menus and supplies meet facility and The Joint Commission requirements. - 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. - May perform other duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment. SUPERVISORY CONTROLS. - The incumbent works under the general supervision of a Supervisory Dietitian, 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 8am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 99520-S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations), GS-12 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience and certification 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 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://department.va.gov/employees/va-qualifications-standards/. Preferred Experience: Leadership experience in food service preferred. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Requirements

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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Must have and maintain a current unrestricted valid drivers license. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 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.

Education

ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13021282. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.