Clarification from the agency

The area of consideration will be referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent other Federal Agency employees 2. Veterans 3. The Public - US Citizens Veterans' preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Videos

• Coordinate and direct performance improvement of the Clinical Nutrition Program. This includes monitoring VA Performance Measures and Monitors, VA Clinical Reminders, compliance with The Joint Commission (TJC) Standards, documentation of nutrition care, and clinical nutrition workload capture.
• Implement changes based on above monitors and systematic internal and external reviews to assure compliance with all regulatory agency requirements.
• Evaluate and monitor staff clinical dietitians' competency to perform their assigned duties, supports staff continuing education and continuous learning.
• Maintain and coordinate the updates of the diet manual so that it is consistent with local policies and practices.
• Manage the prime vendor contracts, subsistence, and supply purchasing for CNS.
• Serve on the Medical Center Nutrition Committee and direct its functions to coordinate medical nutrition therapy for Veteran beneficiaries.
• Responsible for budget and expenditures related to food service section, including purchase and accountability of facility assets such as equipment.
• Serve as the ADP Coordinator, and education coordinator for the CNS and is also responsible for:
  • Serving as the menu and procurement expert and providing guidance to professional and non-professional staff.
  • Contributing to the planning, writing, and adjusting of regular and modified diet cycle menus for daily, seasonal, and holiday meals. This may include product research and testing, as well as data entry.
  • Working with production staff to evaluate and standardize new recipes.
  • Participating in the procurement and control of subsistence and operating supplies.
  • Contributing to the development of written food specifications.
  • Assisting in the oversight of cook activities by serving as the menu expert.
  • Developing menus and managing catering events.
• Conduct both professional and technical on-going training programs, formal orientations, continuous on-the-job training, and group classes to maintain and improve the knowledge and skills of employees, volunteers, and Incentive Therapy (IT), Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) and other work therapy patients.
• Complete of annual employee performance appraisals and mid-year progress reviews for CNS personnel.
• Manage schedules and timecards, including approval of leave and daily assignments of duties based on the staffing level.
• Complete disciplinary and non-disciplinary correspondence.
• Train, orientate, and mentor CNS employees.
• Collect data for performance improvement and quality management monitors, HACCP monitors, and control indicators for the section.
• Interview applicants and hiring for positions.
• Ensure policies, procedures, and regulations are upheld within the area of supervision.
• Acknowledge employee performance and suggestions through the Incentive Awards Program and employee suggestions.
• Continually assess and document employee competency, according to local policy.
• Prepare financial reports and comparative data for the formulation of subsequent fiscal budget and forecasts.
• Monitor current year budget and expenditures to assure compliance with service objectives.
• Prepare and submit a variety of clinical and administrative reports, as required.
• Develop positions descriptions or functional statements and determine the level of competency necessary to meet mandatory job requirements.
• Develop performance standards and competency statements.
• Coach supervisory personnel in building and sustaining trust and respect and using negotiation skills to settle conflicts in the work group.
• Counsel employees whose performance is marginal or unsatisfactory.
• Assist supervisory subordinates to determine performance problems vs. disciplinary problems and determine appropriate course of action.
• Select candidates for positions in the CNS.
• Integrates customer service, including patient satisfaction and stakeholder support, into the strategic plan.
• Ensure that all personnel actions concerning employees are consistent with Union and EEO principles.
• Advise and guide supervisory personnel and employees regarding grievances that may be resolved at the department level, EEO and Affirmative Action program within the department.
• Conduct regular meetings with staff to communicate CNS issues.
• Utilize leadership skills to motivate employees to operate as an effective team and encourage employees to participate as part of other related teams within the service.
• Function as a professional and technical advisor to other care lines and/or services.
• Develop and/or revise policies and procedures for CNS.
• Serve as liaison between CNS and the clinical areas on issues and concerns within the Medical Center.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• A valid state issued driver's license with a clean driving history in accordance with VA Policy to drive a government vehicle.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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).
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

GRADE REQUIREMENTS:
Supervisory Dietitian (Clinical Nutrition), 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 accrediting requirements in clinical nutrition to assess staff compliance and implement performance improvements.
(b) Skill as a nutrition expert to provide technical guidance, direction and staff development.
(c) Skill in Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines to develop, implement and coordinate best practices.
(d) Skill in establishing goals and objectives to coordinate activities, evaluate accomplishments and solve problems.
(e) Ability to supervise subordinate staff (i.e., plan, organize, delegate, direct, control and review activities and performance).
(f) Ability to analyze data in order to recommend allocation of resources.

Assignment. For all supervisory assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, difficulty, variety and be performed by the incumbent as a major duty at least 25% of the time. The incumbent must spend 25% or more of their time providing administrative and technical supervision over staff at the full performance level or below and may supervise advanced practice and/or program coordinator Dietitian(s). Supervisory Dietitians Clinical Nutrition in this assignment oversees the Clinical Nutrition Section and serve as the professional and technical advisors to staff and other health care professionals. They represent the Clinical Nutrition Section on projects, committees and/or workgroups. Supervisory Dietitians provide Clinical Nutrition Section-specific leadership and exercise a full range of supervisory and personnel management authorities and responsibilities in planning, directing and assessing the work and competence of subordinate staff. They provide administrative management and direction of the clinical nutrition section. Supervisory Dietitians develop procedures and guidelines for clinical operations and monitor compliance with regulatory standards and policies and procedures. They lead the action planning process to attain goals and resolve deficiencies. Supervisory Dietitians build and implement contingency plans within the section, ensuring continuity of clinical operations in all internal and external emergencies. They execute the training plan for the clinical section and ensure staff remain updated on advances and changes in medical nutrition therapy. Supervisory Dietitians analyze data (i.e., event capture, clinic utilization) to recommend the allocation of clinical nutrition resources. They ensure evidence-based guidelines are integrated into clinical practice. Supervisory Dietitians collaborate closely with the food service section to enhance the Veteran dining experience and support the strategic goals of the food service section.

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

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), operation of crane, truck, tractor, or 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.

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.