Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Supervisory Dietitian (Informatics) are the subject matter expert in nutrition informatics and NFS technology and use this expertise in researching, evaluating, educating, and administering the use of technology for the benefit of Veterans and employees. Supervisory Informatics Dietitians are independent in their work as they use existing and new technology to ensure continuous evaluation and improvement within the service.

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties:

• Plans, directs, and assesses the workload and competency of all subordinate staff.
• Uses available technology to enhance the work of all employees within NFS.
• Utilizes electronic programs to produce reports, analyze data and improve personnel efficiency and productivity in the NCC.
• Independently manages VHA supported software programs and/or commercial off-the-shelf software (COTS) to support the effective management of food operations and patient meal services.
• Enters and maintains ingredient information, recipes, nutritional information, and menus into the technology package.
• Oversees the technology used for meal production, meal service and temperature control.
• Leads a menu committee.
• Ensures recipes are standardized.
• Costs out recipes and assures they are within budgetary constraints.
• Creates and revises menus, considering VA established guidelines, policy, patient preference, and religious and cultural considerations
• Signs menus indicating they are approved by a registered dietitian.
• Completes nutrient analyses of regular and modified menus and ensures menus follow required diet guidelines.
• Develops and maintains training and reference materials for the NCC.
• Manages productivity reports for the NCC.
• Completes audits for the NCC, determining action plans when results require corrective measures.
• Coordinates and supports downtime procedures for the NCC, ensuring procedures remain up to date.
• Coordinates all aspects of training related to computer systems, menus, and informatics for NFS employees.
• Collaborates with the clinical nutrition section and leadership to ensure the enhancement of the Veterans dining experience.
• Supports patient satisfaction within NFS.
• Serves as a department Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC) between administration, food services, clinical staff, and the Office of Information Technology (Ol&T) regarding clinical information system processes.
• Manages and updates the service SharePoint site.
• May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment.

Supervisory Controls:

• The Supervisory Dietitian (Informatics), GS-11 reports directly to a Supervisory Dietitian, GS-12 or above and functions independently for all professional and technical aspects of their position.
• The incumbent is responsible for planning and organizing their own work, coordinating with staff and management personnel as appropriate. Work is reviewed for technical adequacy and conformance with VHA procedures and practices.
• They provide the supervisor with annual performance objectives, periodic activity reports, including recommendations for modifying operations for improved metrics. The incumbent ensures regulatory controls consistent with VHA, JC, OIT and other regulatory body standards.

Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:00pm
Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD99525S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Registration: All applicants must hold the RDN credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Note: Applicants who hold the RDN credential have met the education requirement (e.g. bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR, as such this occupation is considered professional and scientific with a positive education requirement and the procedures in Part I, Chapter 4 of this Handbook will be followed when applying Veteran's preference.

Loss of Credential: In collaboration with HR Office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain the required registration/certification of duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation and/or assignment, which may also result in separation from employment.

Grandfathering Provision: Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and registration/certification, where applicable. Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, either on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. The following provisions apply to employees who do not meet all the qualification requirements:

• (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in a supervisory or managerial position.
• (2) Employees must meet the assignment-specific certification/education requirements to be placed in Dietitian (Advanced Level Practice) or Dietitian (Dietetic Internship Director) assignments.
• (3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or registration/certification that meet all the qualification standard's basic or assignment-specific requirements must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation/assignment.
• (4) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re- entry in the occupation

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 (Informatics), GS-11.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of nutritional standards and requirements.
• Ability to manage computer software programs relative to foodservice systems.
• Ability to develop training and reference materials.
• Ability to evaluate data to improve outcomes.
• Ability to provide training related to food service systems technology.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders.

Experience. At least one year of experience as an RDN equivalent to the next lower grade. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: Plan, coordinate and implement food service technology as well as offer recommendations for improvement within the service. Develop skills in the management of VHA-supported software programs and/or COTS to support food operations and patient meal services. Utilize technology for meal production, meal service and temperature control. Create and revise menus, complete nutrient analyses and ensure menus follow required diet guidelines and are signed off on by a higher-level Dietitian. Independent in standardizing recipes and ensuring costs are within budget. Develop and maintain educational materials and references, ensuring they comply with policy and procedures as needed for the NCC. Review NCC productivity reports and support downtime procedures, helping ensure procedures remain updated so that employees can be trained on the implementation. Knowledgeable of technical and technological developments in nutrition informatics and dietetics and oversee/complete all aspects of employee training related to computer systems, menus and informatics. Participates as the service ADPAC between administration, food services, clinical staff and the Office of Information Technology (OI&T) regarding clinical information system processes.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: In Accordance With VA Directive and Handbook 5019

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.