Duties

Summary

The Assistant Chief, Nutrition and Food Service (N&FS) serves as full assistant to the Chief, N&FS, advising the chief/manager on all matters pertinent to the service. Provides direct supervision for both the Clinical Nutrition Manager and Food Service Systems Cook Supervisor, successfully integrating both sections.

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Responsibilities

The Assistant Chief works in cooperation with the Chief in the identification of major management initiatives as well as the provision, production, and service of high quality food and effective nutrition therapy to the Veteran population served. Shares the technical, professional and administrative responsibility with the Chief for planning, developing, organizing, staffing, implementing, and evaluating a functionally comprehensive nutrition program. Supports hospital mission and coordinates departmental activities with other services in the medical center, ambulatory clinics and the local community. Serves as the Chief of the N&FS Department in the absence of the Chief.

Duties of the Assistant Chief include but are not limited to:

Management/Administrative:
Assists in the establishment of organizational structure and guidelines, performance standards, reporting requirements, and assists in defining the lines of authority and supervisory controls necessary and essential in carrying out the mission of the service. Formulates operating standards and policies which provide operational guidance for both sections of NFS incorporating legislative and regulatory body mandates as well as state of the art applications for clinical care and food preparation, assembly, and delivery. Establishes operational procedure to resolve/avoid problem areas.
Resource Management:
Assists in the development of a human resources management program for all employees that maximizes staff performance, job satisfaction, and supports labor-management cooperation. Coordinates and allocates staffing patterns and position management position that will support a high-quality food service system and the demand for complex clinical nutrition care promoting optimal efficiency and effectiveness. Demonstrates consistent compliance with applying EEO and Affirmative Action principles.
Quality Improvement:
Assists in the development and implementation of a performance improvement program to continually monitor major functions of Nutrition and Food Services for quality and appropriateness of nutritional care.
Education/Staff Development:
Assists with the provision and allocation of staff educational funding and any other funding available for staff education is effectively utilized for the benefit of the medical center and the maximum development of Nutrition and Food Services' staff.
Research
Facilitates participation in clinical nutrition studies and research projects that have a nutrition component.
Security:
Protects sensitive data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion.
Support:
Provides input and recommendations to the Chief, NFS regarding departmental, Medical Center, and healthcare system long and short range goals and/or plans. Assists in the development and implementation of policy which reflects the goals of the agency and VISN.
Clinical:
Demonstrates ability to perform all duties of subordinate Clinical Nutrition Manager and Clinical Dietitians. Serves as 1st level supervisory authority to the Clinical Nutrition Manager. Serves as 2nd level supervisory authority to Clinical Dietitians.
Supervisory Controls:
The incumbent works under the general administrative supervision of the Chief, NFS. During periods of Acting Chief, NFS responsibilities, incumbent works under the general administrative supervision of the Associate Director for Patient Care Services.
Assists the Chief, NFS in providing leadership to Nutrition and Food Services, which consists of professional and non-professional staff. Coordinates implementation of initiatives charged by the Chief, NFS and presents conclusions and recommendations to staff at departmental meetings.
Assists with the direction of a personnel management program for the service by providing recommendations to the Chief regarding personnel actions including selections, promotions, reassignments, retention, and recommendations for disciplinary and/or adverse actions. Reviews cases, documents, and takes disciplinary
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
13

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education and Supervised Practice(1) The individual must have earned a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent and fulfilled each of the following criteria:

(a) Completed a didactic program in dietetics accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), formerly known as the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetic Education (CADE).
(b) Completed an ACEND accredited or approved supervised practice program. Supervised practice programs are post-baccalaureate degree programs that provide supervised practice experiences which meet the eligibility requirements and accreditation standards of ACEND, formally known as CADE. Completion of a coordinated program in dietetics fulfills the requirements of a supervised practice program. Time spent in a dietetic internship or supervised practice program does not qualify as creditable experience.
(2) Individuals who have earned college and/or university degrees outside the United States and its territories also must have their transcripts evaluated by a foreign transcript evaluation service to determine if their degree is equivalent to a degree granted by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States. Validation of a foreign degree does not eliminate the need for
verification of completion of didactic program, dietetic internship, or coordinated program requirements. The completion of ACEND didactic program requirements and at least a bachelor's degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college/university or foreign equivalent are necessary for eligibility to enter an ACEND-accredited supervised practice program.
c. Registration/Certification. 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). Advanced Level Practice Dietitians must possess a minimum of one advanced practice credential relevant to the area of practice, (e.g. Certified Nutrition Support Clinician (CNSC), Board Certified Specialist in Renal Nutrition (CSR), Board Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition (CSG), Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), or Board Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO)).

Preferred Experience: Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level closely related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the KSA's at that level.

Grade Determinations: Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) closely related to the position being filled and must fully meet the KSA's at that level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• 1) Knowledge of, and skill in applying, the theories and practices of clinical nutrition and/or food service systems management sufficient to resolve complex, controversial, or precedent-setting matters.
• 2) Demonstrated skill in making decisions on problems presented by subordinate supervisors, team leaders, or other personnel.
• 3) Skill and ability to effectively communicate and advise senior management officials.
• 4) Knowledge required to serve as a recognized expert on the theories and practices of clinical nutrition and/or food service systems management to provide authoritative advice and coordination of nutrition care programs and resolve complex, controversial, or precedent-setting matters.
• 5) Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations.
• 6) Knowledge of clinical nutrition and practices of nutrition care sufficient to direct the clinical nutrition section, including community-based outpatient clinics, and the ability to coordinate clinical nutrition needs of patients with the food service systems section.
• 7) Knowledge of the principles of management required to assist in establishing program goals and objectives, develop budgets to plan and manage a program, coordinate associated activities, evaluate program accomplishments, redefine priorities, and modify objectives.
• 8) Ability to manage/supervise, i.e., plan, organize, delegate, direct, control, and review the activities of groups of subordinates that have diverse functions.
• 9) Ability to assess qualifications, abilities and continuing education needs of staff and determine appropriate resources to meet those needs.

References: VA Handbook 5005/80 Part II Appendix G20.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12.

Physical Requirements: he regular and recurring work of the position involves sitting at a desk, conferences, meetings, etc., and staff interaction in working kitchen, storeroom, loading dock and patient care areas. Frequent periods of walking, bending, stooping and visual acuity when performing inspections or instructing staff actions. Occasional lifting and carrying of boxes and supplies up to 25 pounds. Occasional pushing or pulling of food service carts up to 100 pounds. Occasional use of automobile and public conveyances may be required.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.

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

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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

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.

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.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

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, résumé, 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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

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

• Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
• Resume
• Transcript

VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search .

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to 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 (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• VA 10-2850c
• Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)
• Resume
• 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 http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

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.