Nutritionist

Title: Nutritionist

State Role Title: Program Administration Specialist I

Hiring Range: $47,000 - $52,691

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: HAMPTON HQ

Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/hampton-peninsula/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting Virginia's health. It is made up of a statewide central office in Richmond and 32 local health districts.

As part of the Virginia Department of Health, Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts (HPHD) are two health districts serving the residents of the Cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Williamsburg, and the Counties of James City and York.

The Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts are focused on four key pillars to create a sustainable and engaged workforce:

1. Workforce Development and Training
2. Culture and Climate
3. Community Engagement and Partnerships
4. Communication and Openness

Through these pillars, we aim to achieve our mission of becoming the healthiest districts in the state and better serve our communities. Apply and join the Virginia Department of Health's efforts to become the healthiest state in the nation.

We're Hiring (Flyer)

Are you interested in empowering families to make healthier choices? It’s not just about food assistance—it’s about building a foundation for lifelong wellness.

Two positions are available that provide nutrition services to clients in a variety of settings within a district. Characteristic activities include conducting patient nutritional assessments and evaluations in the clinic, school and community settings, develop and monitor nutritional care plans and food packages. Certifies clients for participation in available public health programs, schedules, provides and documents basic and secondary/high risk nutrition education; makes referrals to programs such as Medicaid, AFDC, and SNAP benefits. May perform other related administrative tasks.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) requires all Health Care Personnel (HCP) to provide documentation of immunizations or evidence of immunity for the following diseases: hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. Additionally, a one-time dose of the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine is required, regardless of the time since the last tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccination was administered. Tetanus-diphtheria (Td or Tdap) boosters should be received every 10 years. HCPs must also receive the current year's seasonal influenza vaccination.

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

The successful candidate may receive a one-time lump sum of annual leave.

VDH offers Nutritionists who qualify an opportunity to apply for a WIC Dietetic Internship. You must be a full-time employee of the Virginia Department of Health to qualify for the program. Contractors or part-time employees are not eligible. To learn more, please read here: Checklist for DI eligibility final 

Minimum Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of nutrition and dietetics and its relationship to public health and regulations/standards for the program
• Knowledge of nutrition principles and an ability to make appropriate nutritional assessments for all age groups, including women, infants and children; ability to obtain, interpret, and evaluate data to describe population served and outcomes of nutrition intervention
• Strong communication, organizational and planning skills; ability to communicate effectively with patients and staff members individually and in group settings
• Ability to respond to public inquiry regarding the WIC program
• Must meet requirements for use of title Dietitian/Nutritionist as authorized by Code of VA 54.1 – 2731. View link to verify requirements: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title54.1/chapter27.1/section54.1-2731/

Additional Considerations

• Registered Dietitian preferred
• Prior public health experience and/or experience with WIC program preferred

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position.

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: HPHD Human Resources

Phone: 757-594-8045

Email: HPHD.HR@vdh.virginia.gov

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.