Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all U.S Citizens. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred in the following order: 1) Preference eligible Veterans; 2) All other qualified U.S. Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Develops, documents, tracks, and assesses program goals to ensure the program produces measurable results through evaluation of data and improved program outcomes and customer experience.
• Writes the self-study for re-accreditation.
• Maintains up-to-date program information accessible through online sources.
• Coordinates program marketing events such as an intern open house, and outreach events.
• Executes the selection process for dietetic interns, maintaining all records as required by ACEND.
• Establishes an intern selection committee, selection criteria for application to the program and reviewing and evaluating all applications prior to selection.
• Plans and coordinates intern rotations, class schedules and outside seminars with preceptors, presenters, and community affiliations.
• Establishes, administers, maintains, and coordinates affiliations with community programs (local food bank; Women, Infants and Children; etc.) and/or with affiliated universities for the combined master's intern program curriculum.
• Coordinates maintenance of affiliation agreements between the VA facility and affiliated agencies.
• Resolves policy, program and project issues associated with combined master's program and outside affiliations.
• Coordinates preceptor training and ensures ongoing preceptor competency.
• Provides direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, and ongoing educational programs related to the dietetic internship program.
• Issues the trainee verification statement of internship completion and maintain permanent records as required by ACEND.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm.
Telework: Not eligible.
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.

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 dentification 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.

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).
  • 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.

Preferred Experience/Qualifications:

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, applicants must possess the following grade requirements.

GS-12 Dietitian (Dietetic Internship Director): Applicants must have 3 years of experience post registration; AND a Master's degree or higher from an accredited university or college In addition, applicants must meet the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

1. Skill in utilizing data for program improvement to ensure compliance with various accrediting, regulatory and agency authorities.
2. Ability to coordinate class schedules, training activities, seminars and supervised practice experience within the health care system and affiliated sites.
3. Ability to implement all aspects of an internship program including developing program goals and objectives, curriculum and policies and procedures to ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements.
4. Ability to oversee the process for the selection of students for the internship program.
5. Ability to evaluate progress towards meeting core competencies.

Assignment: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Employees in this assignment serve as Dietetic Internship Director. They are responsible for administering all aspects of an accredited dietetic internship program. Dietetic Internship Directors oversee the daily operations of the program and ensure education, curriculum, policies and procedures are in compliance with the ACEND® requirements and are compatible with regulations and procedures for Associated Health Trainees set forth by the VA Office of Academic Affiliations. They develop, document, track and assess program goals to ensure the program produces measurable results through data evaluation and improved program outcomes and customer experience. Dietetic Internship Directors are responsible for writing the self-study for re-accreditation and facilitating the ACEND® site visit. They are responsible for maintaining up-to-date program information accessible through online sources, coordinating program marketing events such as an intern open house, outreach and selection of dietetic interns. This includes establishing an intern selection committee, selection criteria for application to the program and reviewing and evaluating all applications prior to selection. Dietetic Internship Directors are responsible for planning and coordinating intern rotations, class schedules and outside seminars with preceptors, presenters and community affiliations. This may include establishing, administering, maintaining and coordinating affiliations with community programs (local food bank; Women, Infants and Children; etc.) and/or with affiliated universities for the combined master's intern program curriculum. They coordinate maintenance of affiliation agreements between the VA facility and affiliated agencies and resolve policy, program and project issues associated with combined master's program and outside affiliations. Dietetic Internship Directors provide and/or coordinate preceptor training and ensure ongoing preceptor competency. They provide direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training and ongoing education programs related to the dietetic internship program. Dietetic Internship Directors ensure timely completion of rotation evaluation and meet with interns to ensure progress towards program completion. They issue the trainee verification statement of internship completion and maintain permanent records as required by ACEND®. In accordance with ACEND® requirements, Dietetic Internship Directors in VA must be full-time employees.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G20 - Dietitian Qualification Standards.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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 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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• 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.
• RDN Credential from Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
• Resume
• Transcript

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
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• 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.
• RDN Credential from Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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