Director of Dietetic Services - RD Leadership & Nutrition

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; South Mountain (PA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in Pennsylvania is seeking a Director of Dietetic Services to lead planning, oversight, and evaluation of nutrition and food service programs for residents. The role ensures safe, compliant dietary services daily and requires active RD/RDN certification or eligibility.

The position emphasizes menu oversight, nutritional care, and staff management within a full‑time schedule (8:00 AM–4:00 PM, Mon-Fri).

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in supervision of food preparation activities in an institutional setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in food science, nutrition, dietetics, food service, culinary arts, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and training that includes three years of supervision in an institutional food service.
• Active certification as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or proof of eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Menu Oversight: Review menus and ensure nutrition plans meet medical, cultural, and quality needs.
• Nutritional Care: Direct assessments and services that support resident health and well-being.
• Food Operations: Manage ordering, receiving, storage, and distribution of food and supplies.
• Staff Leadership: Supervise employees, evaluate performance, and coordinate training.
• Budget Management: Prepare and monitor the annual budget to maintain operations.
• Safety Compliance: Maintain safe and sanitary food service conditions per state and federal standards.

Skills

Staff Leadership

Budget Management

Safety Compliance

Strategic Planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in food science, nutrition, dietetics, food service, culinary arts, or related field

Job description

As the Director of Dietetic Services for the Department of Human Services, you help ensure that residents receive meals that support their health and dignity. This role blends leadership, planning, and teamwork to create a safe and caring food service environment. You will guide nutrition programs that meet important standards and resident needs. It is a meaningful opportunity to support both staff and residents through thoughtful direction.

This position leads the planning, oversight, and evaluation of nutrition and food service programs for residents. The role ensures that safe, effective, and compliant dietary services are carried out each day. As a Director of Dietetic Services, you will perform the following duties:

• Menu Oversight:Review menus and ensure that nutrition plans meet medical, cultural, and quality needs
• Nutritional Care:Direct assessments and services that support resident health and well-being
• Food Operations:Manage ordering, receiving, storage, and distribution of food and supplies
• Staff Leadership: Supervise employees, evaluate performance, and coordinate training to support quality service
• Budget Management:Prepare and monitor the annual budget to maintain effective and efficient operations
• Safety Compliance:Maintain safe and sanitary food service conditions in line with state and federal standards

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the Position Description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment

• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.

• Telework:You will not have the option to telework in this position.

• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.

• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Three years of experience in the supervision of food preparation activities in an institutional food service or institutional food production operation, and a bachelor’s degree in food science, nutrition, dietetics, food service, culinary arts, or a related field; or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes three years of experience in the supervision of food preparation activities in an institutional food service or institutional food production operation.

Special Requirements:

• This position requires active certification as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) as issued by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, or proof of eligibility for such certification.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination.

• This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.

  • Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date.Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.