Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations) Job in White River Junction, VT

Vacancy No. CBTD-12813576-26-JM Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $100,371.00 to $130,488.00 Grade 12 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/16/2025 Close Date 10/20/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
White River Junction, VT


Summary

This Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations) position is in the Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) department located at the VA Medical Center in White River Junction, VT.




This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This job opportunity announcement is open to current employees permanently assigned to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies, and all U.S. citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Duties

Employees in this Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations) assignment oversee a food service and production operation providing administrative and technical supervision over staff. The Supervisory Dietitian 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. They supervise wage grade positions which includes at least a supervisor or leader and other wage grade positions. Supervisory Dietitians provide administrative management and direction of the Food Operations Section. They ensure evidence-based guidelines are integrated into food operations and collaborate closely with the clinical nutrition section to enhance the Veteran's dining experience and to support the strategic goals of the clinical nutrition section.

FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE.

  • Serves as 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 the facility.
  • Assumes full responsibility for planning, directing, and assessing the work and competence of subordinate staff.
  • Develops procedures and guidelines for food operations.
  • Coordinates food service operation policies and procedures with clinical nutrition management, nursing, and other services, as applicable.
  • Monitors compliance with regulatory standards, policies, and procedures.
  • Participates in performance improvement efforts within the Food Service Operations section, acting on quality improvement data and plans.
  • Completes internal audits of food service and food production.
  • Completes routine kitchen inspections.
  • Leads the action planning process to attain goals and resolve deficiencies.
  • Implements the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) program ensuring that requisitioning, receipt/storage, preparation and service of food conforms to quality/quantity standards.
  • Evaluates food operations to ensure proper allocation of resources.
  • Devises solutions and implements action plans to resolve issues and meet service goals and objectives leading to improved patient satisfaction and quality food operations.
  • Participates in an active patient test tray program including evaluation of overall tray accuracy, food safety, quality and palatability, temperature, exceptional service, and implementing similar evaluations for bulk service settings, such as dining rooms or cafeteria settings.
  • Ensures menus meet nutritional and budgetary requirements.
  • Assesses technological equipment innovations and reviews specifications, making recommendations for equipment purchases.
  • Builds and implements contingency plans within the section, ensuring continuity of food operations during internal and external emergency situations and unusual circumstances.
  • Manages emergency feeding cache and ensures menus and supplies meet facility and The Joint Commission requirements.
  • Executes the training plan for the food operations section.
  • Orients and trains employees related to food service and food production and appropriate policies and procedures.
  • Assists with new employee onboarding in food service and food production.
  • Collaborates with the clinical nutrition staff, bridging the work of the food service section with the nutritional care plans for Veterans.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. EST
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).
Telework: Ad Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 99520-S
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

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.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
  • Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 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

COVERAGE. The following are requirements for appointment or placement as a Dietitian in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). These requirements apply to all VHA Dietitians in the General Schedule (GS)-0630 occupational series. Dietitians are experts in the disciplines of nutrition and food. They translate the complex science of nutrition into healthy, real-world solutions for customers. Dietitians within VHA are fully integrated into a health care team and work within a variety of settings, including but not limited to inpatient, outpatient, long-term care, food operations and community clinics. Dietitians in a clinical setting are responsible for utilizing the Nutrition Care Process (NCP) framework to provide patient-centered care using evidenced-based guidelines to make decisions. Dietitians in the food service setting are responsible for the scientific preparation and service of high-quality food by selection, requisition, receipt, storage, issuance and transportation of food and supplies. They ensure robust and effective sanitation, safety, competency and training programs.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS.

a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.).

b. Registration. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) - 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).

c. Loss of Credential. In collaboration with HR Office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain the required registration/certification of duties and responsibilities associated with the occupation and/or assignment, which may also result in separation from employment.

d. Grandfathering Provision. Current VHA Dietitians that qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision may not be promoted to a higher grade if they do not meet the current RDN/RD requirements.

e. English Language Proficiency. Dietitian candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

GRADE DETERMINATIONS. All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements listed above and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment below.

Supervisory Dietitian (Food Operations), GS-12.

(1) Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

(2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(a) Knowledge of standards to assess staff compliance and implement performance improvements.

(b) Skill in establishing goals and objectives to coordinate activities, evaluate accomplishments and solve problems.

(c) Skill in applying nutritional knowledge to ensure menus meet nutrition standards.

(d) Ability to utilize Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guidelines in order to develop, implement and coordinate best practices.

(e) Ability to serve as a food operations expert, providing technical guidance, direction and staff development.

(f) Ability to supervise subordinate staff (i.e., plan, organize, delegate, direct, control and review activities and performance).

(g) Ability to analyze data in order to recommend allocation of resources.

(3) 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: PART II APPENDIX G20

EFFECTIVE DATE: October 14, 2022

Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

This position is not a Bargaining Unit position.

This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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.

DEFINITIONS.

a. Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with current professional dietetic practice and must have been gained post registration. This may be evidenced by one or more of the following:

(1) The equivalent of 1 year of active professional practice. Active professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a registered Dietitian.

(2) Academic course work leading to an advanced graduate degree in nutrition or a related health care field.

b. Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be comparable to dietetic experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

c. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a registered Dietitian is credited according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a registered Dietitian employed 20 hours per week, or on a half-time basis, would receive 1 full-time work week of credit for each 2 weeks of service.

d. Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND®) is the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' accrediting agency for education programs preparing students for careers as registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN).

e. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian. RDN and Registered Dietitian (RD) credentials are the same and both are qualifying. The difference between RDN and RD is in name only due to a change by the professional academy in 2014. In this standard, the term RDN will be used.

Required Documents

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

  • Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Resume


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.

Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.

  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN) credential from the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • PCS Orders
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • 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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/20/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12813576.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Resume Reminder: Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

1. Job title;
2. Duties (be as detailed as possible);
3. Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008);
4. Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week);
5. Employer name and complete address;
6. Series and grade, if applicable, for all federal positions you have held.

Agency contact information

Jonathan Montgomery
Address
VA White River Junction Healthcare System
215 North Main St.
White River Jct., VT 05009
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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