Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations)
About This Position
The Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations) is an expert in food focused nutrition and provide supervision of a complex Veteran-Centric food operation which consists of four distinct sections (Informatics, Food Service, Production and Nutrition Communications Center). They provide professional and management support to the department and continuously strive to increase patient satisfaction and improve veteran experience and carrying out the strategic and business aspects of the section.
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). 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 (Food Operations), GS-13 (1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. AND (2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of business administration practices such as budget planning, contracting and food and supply purchasing to operate a food service program successfully. Skill in written communication including policy development and standard operating procedures. Skill in strategic planning to develop goals, objectives and action plans.
Skill in analyzing data to monitor progress towards improving and sustaining outcomes. Ability to supervise subordinate staff (i.e., plan, organize, delegate, direct, control and review activities and performance). Ability to negotiate.
Preferred Experience: Supervisory experience with a background in Food Service Operations. Knowledge of IDDSI, room service, LEAN principles, and budget management. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical 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.
Major Duties
Duties include but are not limited to: Functions as a professional and technical advisor to clinical staff, other allied healthcare professionals, program directors, and managers throughout the medical center/facility. Oversight over HR staffing, employee relations, and labor relations in Food Service Operations. Exercises a full range of supervisory and personnel management authorities and responsibilities in planning, directing, and assessing work of subordinate staff.
Establishes a training plan for the food operations section. Develops and leads food operations. Establishes strategic goals and ensures priorities align with the strategic plan of the NFS department, VISN, and national programs.
Leads the continuous quality improvement effort in Food Service Operations. Identify and prioritizes problems, sets long and short-term goals, develop action plans, and analyze data to evaluate progress to improve outcomes. Develop and update policies and procedures and establish and oversee a system for regulatory compliance.
Coordinate food service operation policies and procedures with clinical nutrition management, nursing, and other services. Manage the budget and other resources, anticipating future trends and inflation, new service opportunities, recommendations for growth, efficiencies and strategic efforts are factored into resource requests and brought to the Chief. Direct staff in management of contracts, subsistence, supply purchasing for NFS and submits reports to the NFS Chief.
Solicits support and/or negotiates with facility managers to influence decisions to support food operations section success. Works closely with the Supervisory Dietitians to support the department, cover the work within NFS, and execute the activities of the department. Other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD00495F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants. 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 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 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
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 preference is not applicable to current permanent employees of the federal government. 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
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 08/28/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13045021. 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: Resume SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action 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 Other (1) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript