Dietitian (Dietetic Internship Director)
About This Position
Incumbents in this assignment serve as a Dietetic Internship Director and have full responsibility for administering all aspects of an accredited dietetic internship program which includes the overall planning, directing, and oversight of the supervised practice for dietetic interns.
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. Grade Determinations: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements in paragraph 3 a-f and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment. Dietitian (Dietetic Internship Director), GS-12 Experience.
Three years of experience post registration. Education. Master's degree or higher from an accredited university or college. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in utilizing data for program improvement to ensure compliance with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities. Ability to coordinate class schedules, training activities, seminars and supervised practice experience within the health care system and affiliated sites. Ability to implement all aspects of an internship program including developing program goals and objectives, curriculum and policies and procedures to ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements.
Ability to oversee the process for the selection of students for the internship program. Ability to evaluate progress towards meeting core competencies. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
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.
Major Duties
Duties Include but are not limited to the following: Develops, documents, tracks, and assesses program goals to ensure the program produces measurable results through evaluation of data and improved program outcomes and customer experience. Writes the self-study for re-accreditation. Facilitates the ACEND site visit.
Maintains up-to-date program information accessible through online sources. Coordinates program marketing events such as an intern open house, and outreach programs. Executes the selection process for dietetic interns, maintaining all records as required by ACEND.
Establishes an intern selection committee, selection criteria for application to the program and reviewing and evaluating all applications prior to selection. Plans and coordinates intern rotations, class schedules and outside seminars with preceptors, presenters and community affiliations. Establishes, administers, maintains, and coordinates affiliations with community programs (local food bank; Women, Infants and Children; etc.) and/or with affiliated universities for the combined master's intern program curriculum.
Coordinates maintenance of affiliation agreements between the VA facility and affiliated agencies. Resolves policy, program and project issues associated with combined master's program and outside affiliations. Coordinates preceptor training and ensures ongoing preceptor competency.
Provides direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, and ongoing educational programs related to the dietetic internship program. Ensures timely completion of rotation evaluations. Meets with interns to ensure progress towards program completion.
When issues arise, creates action plans that give the intern every opportunity available to meet the requirements for graduation. Issues the trainee verification statement of internship completion and maintain permanent records as required by ACEND. May perform other duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment.
Work Schedule: Tour of Duty may vary and is negotiable; administration hours Telework: Ad Hoc Emergency Telework MAY BE Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD99524S 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.
Education
ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Area of Consideration: Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: Current permanent VA employees of the facility. All other VA employees. 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.
Additional Information
The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.
This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.
Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
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.
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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
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 04/07/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12922515. 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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Professional Certification Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
Cover Letter Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation RECOMMENDED: Responses to Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Can Be Found Under the Qualification Section of the Job Opportunity Announcement Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript