Nutritionist

DHRM; Suffolk (VA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 paid holidays

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plans

Leave benefits

Job summary

The Western Tidewater Health District is seeking a Nutritionist to join the WIC team and provide nutrition services across clinic, school, and community settings. The position involves assessing clients, developing care plans, and certifying eligibility for public health programs.

The role requires a nutrition-related degree, knowledge of WIC and public health, and strong communication skills. Based in Suffolk with occasional travel to other offices within the district.

Qualifications

• Must meet requirements for use of title Dietitian/Nutritionist as authorized by VA code §54.1-2731.
• Knowledge of nutrition principles and public health standards.
• Ability to assess nutrition for all age groups including women, infants and children.
• Ability to obtain, interpret, and evaluate data to describe population served and outcomes of nutrition intervention.
• Strong communication, organizational and planning skills; ability to communicate effectively with patients and staff.
• Ability to respond to public inquiry regarding the WIC program.

Responsibilities

• Conducts patient nutritional assessments and evaluations in the clinic, school and community settings.
• Develops and monitors nutritional care plans and food packages.
• Certifies clients for participation in available public health programs.
• Schedules, provides and documents basic and secondary/high risk nutrition education.
• Makes referrals to programs such as Medicaid, AFDC, and SNAP benefits.
• May perform other related administrative tasks

Skills

Nutrition assessment

Public health

WIC program

Community nutrition

Data interpretation

Education

Baccalaureate degree in nutritional sciences or related field

Job description

Title: Nutritionist

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist I

Hiring Range: $46,655 - $53,907.36

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: WESTERN TIDEWATER HQ

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Western Tidewater Health District is seeking a highly motivated and energetic individual to join the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) team to serve as a Nutritionist. This position provides nutrition services to clients in a variety of settings within the district. This is a multi-hire recruitment.
Characteristic activities:

• Conducts patient nutritional assessments and evaluations in the clinic, school and community settings.
• Develops and monitors nutritional care plans and food packages.
• Certifies clients for participation in available public health programs.
• Schedules, provides and documents basic and secondary/high risk nutrition education.
• Makes referrals to programs such as Medicaid, AFDC, and SNAP benefits.
• May perform other related administrative tasks

According to the Code of Virginia, Chapter 27.1. Dietitians and Nutritionists, section § 54.1-2731. Prohibited terms; penalty, no person shall hold himself out to be or advertise or permit to be advertised that such person is a dietitian or nutritionist unless such person:
1. Has (i) received a baccalaureate or higher degree in nutritional sciences, community nutrition, public health nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or human nutrition from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and (ii) satisfactorily completed a program of supervised clinical experience approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;
2. Has active registration through the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;
3. Has an active certificate of the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists as a Certified Nutrition Specialist;
4. Has an active certification as a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition;
5. Has a current license or certificate as a dietitian or nutritionist issued by another state; or
6. Has the minimum requisite education, training and experience determined by the Board of Health Professions appropriate for such person to hold himself out to be, or advertise or allow himself to be advertised as, a dietitian or nutritionist.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The Western Tidewater WIC Program services the City of Franklin, the City of Suffolk, Isle of Wight County, Southampton County as well as Pughsville. This Nutritionist is based in Suffolk but may be required to work at the other offices within the district on occasion.

This is a RESTRICTED position, which is solely funded by the Federal WIC Grant for a year period ending September 30th. The availability of funding is scheduled for review annually and periodically thereafter. Continued employment is contingent on the continued availability of funds.

VDH requires all Health-Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunization or evidence of immunity to the following: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella; a one-time dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine regardless of the interval since the last dose of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine was administered (Td or Tdap boosters shall be received every 10 years); and the current year's seasonal influenza vaccination.

• 12 paid holidays
• medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan)
• sick, family/personal, and annual leave

Minimum Qualifications

• Must meet requirements for use of title Dietitian/Nutritionist as authorized by Code of VA 54.1 – 2731
• Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of nutrition and dietetics and its relationship to public health and regulations/standards for the program
• Knowledge of nutrition principles and an ability to make appropriate nutritional assessments for all age groups, including women, infants and children
• Ability to obtain, interpret, and evaluate data to describe population served and outcomes of nutrition intervention
• Strong communication, organizational and planning skills; ability to communicate effectively with patients and staff members individually and in group settings
• Ability to respond to public inquiry regarding the WIC program

Additional Considerations

• Registered Dietitian preferred
• Prior public health experience and/or experience with WIC program preferred

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e‑mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E‑Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for a certain position.

It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. VDH employees have a shared Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer VDH Welcomes Veterans to apply!

Contact Information

Name: Priscilla Crocker

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Advertised: 22 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 06 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time