Nutritionist Associate

DHRM; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Insurance (medical, dental, vision, &

Retirement plans (401a & 457)

Job summary

Virginia Department of Health in Portsmouth, VA is seeking a Nutritionist Associate to determine eligibility for nutrition services, prescribe food packages, and counsel individuals on dietary goals. The role requires independent assessment and coordination with higher-level nutrition staff when needed.

The position includes eligibility assessments, goal setting, and referrals for high‑risk counseling. Benefits include holidays, insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.

Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of nutrition and nutritional standards.
• Ability to conduct interviews and collect information.
• Ability to interpret, document, calculate, and compile routine data.
• Experience providing patient education and/or communicating information to individuals.
• Good communication skills, verbally and in writing, to interact with a variety of patients, peers, and supervisors.
• Ability to work effectively individually and as a team member.
• Experience multi-tasking and prioritizing workloads.
• Skills using computer systems.

Responsibilities

• Independently determines nutrition eligibility of applicants/clients within program guidelines and prescribes appropriate food packages.
• Assesses nutritional status/eligibility for program services by dietary recall/food frequency history, growth patterns, weight patterns, biochemical values and medical history.
• Independently sets dietary goals based on the assessment and provides patient counseling.
• Makes referrals for high-risk counseling with Nutritionist when appropriate.
• The department offers paid holidays and comprehensive insurance; retirement plans and leave.

Skills

Nutrition knowledge

Interviewing

Data interpretation

Patient education

Communication skills

Teamwork

Multi-tasking

Computer skills

Education

Nutrition/Dietetics coursework

Job description

Title:

Nutritionist Associate

State Role Title:

Direct Service Associate II

Hiring Range:

$38,000-$42,808

Pay Band:

2

Agency:

Virginia Department of Health

Location:

PORTSMOUTH -TW

Agency Website:

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/portsmouth/

Recruitment Type:

General Public - G

Job Duties

The Nutritionist Associate independently determines nutrition eligibility of
applicants/clients within program guidelines and independently prescribes
appropriate food packages. Assesses nutritional status/eligibility for program services
by: dietary recall/food frequency history, assessing growth patterns, weight patterns,
biochemical values and medical history. Independently sets dietary goals based on
the assessment. Provides patient counseling specific to the individual’s nutritional
needs. Makes referrals for high‑risk counseling with Nutritionist when appropriate.

The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

This position is restricted and subject to annual renewal of funds.

Minimum Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of nutrition and nutritional standards
• Ability to conduct interviews and collect information
• Ability to interpret, document, calculate, and compile routine data
• Experience providing patient education and/or communicating information to individuals
• Good communication skills, verbally and in writing, to interact with a variety of patients, peers, and supervisors
• Ability to work effectively individually and as a team member
• Experience multi‑tasking and prioritizing workloads
• Skills using computer systems

Additional Considerations

• Training, job experience, or coursework in Nutrition, Dietetics, food services, or a related area preferred
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred
• Experience obtaining blood samples/finger sticks, and taking heights and weights of individuals

Special Instructions

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 certain positions.

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!

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position‑specific questions at the end of this application. This information will help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Contact Information

Name: TANYA WEAVER

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: 06 Mar 2026 Eastern Standard Time

Applications close: