Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Loma Linda (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations) to oversee a comprehensive food service and production operation, ensuring Veteran-centric meals through diverse production and service modalities.

The role emphasizes leadership, adherence to nutrition standards, and coordination with clinical nutrition to support the Veterans’ dining experience. The position requires CDR registration or eligibility, ACEND® accreditation, and education credentials

Qualifications

• Registration: CDR credential required.
• ACEND® accredited experiential or supervised practice program required.
• Foreign education must be evaluated for equivalency.
• Non-credentialed Dietitians may be considered with temporary appointment and later credentialing.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and assess the work of subordinate staff.
• Develop procedures and guidelines for clinical operations and monitor regulatory compliance.
• Lead performance improvement efforts in the Food Service Operations section.
• Coordinate with clinical nutrition to align dining with nutrition care plans.
• Provide staff training and guidance in food service and production operations.
• Evaluate equipment needs and oversee procurement recommendations.
• Participate in action planning to achieve goals and resolve deficiencies.
• Oversee patient test tray programs and ensure safety, temperature, and palatability standards.

Skills

Staff supervision

Food service operations

Nutrition knowledge

Data analysis

Performance improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

ACEND® accredited program

Job description

Summary

The Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations) oversee a food service and production operation providing administrative and technical supervision over staff. The incumbent is responsible for the execution of Food Service and Production operations to meet individual meal needs through Veteran-centric - "Food Forward" meal programs with conventional cooking - convenience cooking - advance food preparation and delivery - room service - or a combination of food production and service modalities.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
• Registration: All applicants 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)
• Note: Applicants who hold the RDN credential have met the education requirement (e.g
• bachelor's degree or higher) of CDR - as such this occupation is considered professional and scientific with a positive education requirement and the procedures in Part I - Chapter 4 of this Handbook will be followed when applying Veteran's preference
• Exception for Dietitians who do not possess the RDN credential: Non-credentialed Dietitians who meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below - but do not possess the RDN credential - may be given a temporary full-time appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C.
• 7405(c)(2)
• Non-credentialed Dietitians may only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 grade level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential
• Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following: Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college - university or foreign equivalent (refer to ii below)
• Completed an ACEND® accredited experiential or supervised practice program and provide a verification statement from the program director that conveys eligibility to take the CDR registration exam as a prospective RDN
• A list of ACEND® accredited programs is located on the ACEND® website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory
• Foreign Education
• To be creditable - college and/or university degrees earned outside the U.S and its territories must be evaluated by ACEND® and meet ACEND®'s International Dietitian Education standards which are designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and competencies to sit for the CDR credentialing exam Grandfathering Provision
• Employees in VHA in this occupation - under a permanent - appropriate and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held - including positive education and registration/certification - where applicable
• Employees appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - either on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above - applicants must possess the following grade requirements
• GS-12 Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations): Applicants must have 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• In addition - applicants must meet the following Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of standards to assess staff compliance and implement performance improvements
• Skill in establishing goals and objectives to coordinate activities - evaluate accomplishments and solve problems
• Skill in applying nutritional knowledge to ensure menus meet nutrition standards
• Ability to utilize Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines in order to develop - implement and coordinate best practices
• Ability to serve as a food operations expert - providing technical guidance - direction and staff development
• Ability to supervise subordinate staff (i.e. - plan - organize - delegate - direct - control and review activities and performance)
• Ability to analyze data in order to recommend allocation of resources
• Assignment: For all supervisory assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity - difficulty - variety and be performed by the incumbent as a major duty at least 25% of the time
• The incumbent must spend 25% or more of their time providing administrative and technical supervision over staff who are at the full performance level or below
• Employees in this Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations) assignment oversee a food service and production operation
• They serve as professional and technical advisor to staff and other health care professionals and represents the food operations section on projects - committees and/or workgroups
• Supervisory Dietitians supervise wage system positions including at least a supervisor or leader and other wage grade positions
• They provide food service systems-specific leadership and exercise a full range of supervisory and personnel management authorities and responsibilities in planning - directing and assessing the work and competence of subordinate staff
• Supervisory Dietitians provide administrative management and direction of the Food Operations Section
• They develop procedures and guidelines for food operations - monitor compliance with regulatory standards - policies and procedures and lead the action planning process to attain goals and resolve deficiencies
• Supervisory Dietitians are responsible for implementing the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point program - ensuring that requisitioning - receipt/storage - preparation and service of food conforms to quality/quantity standards
• They evaluate food operations to ensure proper allocation of resources - devise solutions and implement action plans to resolve issues and meet service goals and objectives - leading to improved patient satisfaction and quality food operations
• Supervisory Dietitians are integral in ensuring menus meet nutritional and budgetary requirements
• They assess technological equipment innovations and review specifications - making recommendations for equipment purchases
• Supervisory Dietitians build and implement contingency plans within the section - ensuring continuity of food operations during internal and external emergencies and unusual circumstances
• They manage emergency feeding cache and ensure menus and supplies meet facility and TJC requirements
• Supervisory Dietitians execute the training plan for the food operations section
• They ensure evidence-based guidelines are integrated into food operations
• Supervisory Dietitians collaborate closely with the clinical nutrition section to enhance the Veteran's dining experience and support the strategic goals of the clinical nutrition section
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G20 - Dietitian Qualification Standards.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to the following: Serves as a professional and technical advisor to staff and other health care professionals Represents the food operations section on projects - committees and/or workgroups within the department and facility Assumes full responsibility for planning - directing - and assessing the work and competence of subordinate staff Develops procedures and guidelines for clinical operations and monitors compliance with regulatory standards and policies and procedures Participates in performance improvement efforts within the Food Service Operations section - acting on quality improvement data and plans
• Leads the action planning process to attain goals and resolve deficiencies
• Participates in an active patient test tray program including evaluation of overall tray accuracy - food safety - temperature - and quality and palatability
• Assesses technological equipment innovations and reviews specifications - making recommendations for equipment purchases
• Orients and trains employees related to food service and food production and appropriate policies and procedures
• Collaborates with the clinical nutrition staff - bridging the work of the food service section with the nutritional care plans for Veterans
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Various days/shifts either from 5:00am to 3:30pm or 9:00am to 7:30pm
• Rotate on weekends and holidays
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position .Functional Statement #: PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.