Nutritionist

Title: Nutritionist

State Role Title: Program Admin Specialist I

Hiring Range: $41,655 - $48,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: THREE RIVERS-KING WILLIAM

Agency Website: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Three Rivers Health District has the perfect employment opportunity just for you! We are seeking a self-starter to provide nutrition services to clients in a variety of settings within the Three Rivers Health District. The home base for this position is negotiable throughout the 10-counties we serve (Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, King William, King & Queen, Essex, Richmond County, Lancaster, Northumberland, and Westmoreland) and will require travel within the district. The incumbent tin this role will have the option to use a state agency vehicle for travel when one is available, otherwise, travel reimbursement is available as an option to support required travel. The typical work schedule is Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. The WIC Nutritionist may have the opportunity to function as the designated WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator and have supervision over the Breastfeeding Peer Counselor, with commensurate adjustment in other responsibilities.

Characteristic activities of this position include: conducts patient nutritional assessments and evaluations in the clinic, school and community settings; develops and monitors nutritional care plans and food packages. This position also 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.

This position is part of the WIC (Woman, Infants, and Children) program whose goal is to improve the health of pregnant women, breastfeeding women, infants, and children (under 5 years of age) through better nutrition and access to healthcare. Routine duties of this role may include but are not limited to: obtaining anthropometric measurements (height/weight) and performing fingersticks to obtain a blood sample for hemoglobin testing. The Division of WIC and Community Nutrition Services supports public health community nutrition throughout the Commonwealth. The efforts are promoted through nutrition education topics including breastfeeding promotion and support. This position provides direct service to participants by conducting nutritional assessments and developing nutritional care plans to meet specific client needs.

This is a RESTRICTED POSITION which is solely funded by the Federal WIC Grant through USDA. The availability of funding is scheduled for review annually. The annual funding cycle is October 1st through September 30th of the following year. Employment is contingent on the continued availability of funding.

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

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with major coursework in dietetics or nutrition, with "two years of work experience in nutrition or dietetics concurrent of subsequent to completion of such degree" (Per the requirements for use of title Dietitian/Nutritionist as authorized by Code of VA 54.1 – 2731.)
• 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.
• Valid Driver's License

Additional Considerations

• Registered Dietitian preferred
• Prior public health experience and/or experience with WIC program preferred
• Knowledge of nutrition as it relates to public health
• Experience utilizing effective and basic interviewing and counseling skills (written and oral presentation)
• Knowledge of appropriate educational principles and development of infants and children
• Knowledge of maternal and pediatric nutrition needs

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: Lindsay Glass

Phone: (804) 239-5956

Email: lindsay.glass@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.