Title: Nutritionist Senior

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist II

Hiring Range: $49,971 - $56,125.25

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 the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 32 local health districts. These entities work together to promote healthy lifestyle choices that can combat chronic disease, educate the public about emergency preparedness and threats to their health, and track disease outbreaks in Virginia.

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

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.

Are you ready to lead a team while helping families thrive, supporting breastfeeding journeys, and making a lasting impact within your community?

At the Hampton Wilsondale Clinic, we believe WIC is more than a food assistance program; it’s nutrition education, breastfeeding support, encouragement, connection, and compassionate care for women, infants, and children up to age five.

We are seeking a Nutritionist Senior who brings leadership, positivity, and creativity to a fast-paced clinic. The ideal candidate is a strong team player who supports and inspires staff, connects well with diverse families, and promotes breastfeeding with confidence and compassion.

What You’ll Do:

• Supervise and support staff in an active and rewarding clinic
  
• Promote, protect, and support breastfeeding through education and participant-centered counseling
• Conduct nutrition assessments and develop individualized care plans
• Measure height, weight, and collect hemoglobin (job training provided)
• Provide nutrition education, counseling, referrals, and follow-up care
• Issue food benefits and supplemental items, including breast pumps and supplies, to qualifying participants
• Help families navigate healthy choices with compassion and cultural sensitivity
• Assist with clinic operations, workflow, administrative responsibilities, training opportunities, and community events

Why Hampton WIC?

• Make a real impact supporting local families every day
• Join a supportive team committed to maternal and child health
• Build skills in public health, nutrition services, breastfeeding support, and clinic operations
• Contribute to a respectful, welcoming environment where families feel supported and empowered

Supervises nutrition staff in clinics and/or coordinates all WIC and other nutritional program components district wide. Responsible for work direction and quality assurance. Performs nutrition assessments, evaluates patient needs, and prepares a written care plan; counsel's patients according to needs; follows up with patient until problems are resolved; documents care and if a reimbursable service and completes nutrition portion of billing form; coordinates training for professional, paraprofessional and technical support staff. May perform other related administrative tasks.

This is a restricted position funded solely through the WIC Grant for a one‑year period ending September 30. Funding availability is reviewed annually and periodically thereafter. Continuation of employment is contingent upon the ongoing availability of these funds.

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.

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

• Knowledge of nutritional programs, policies & procedures; current therapeutic diets, principles of nutrition, nutrition standards & application to public health
• Skills in use of electronic health records; counseling techniques including motivational interviewing & participant centered approaches
• Ability to supervise, schedule & evaluate personnel; assess clinic flow for efficiency & effectiveness; promote breastfeeding; perform comprehensive nutrition assessments; identify nutrition risks & develop individual care plans; communicate in a professional manner; work effectively as a member of a team with diverse participants
• Must meet requirements for use of title Dietitian/Nutritionist as authorized by Code of VA 54.1 – 2731

Additional Considerations

• Registration by Commission on Dietetic Registration
• Obtain certification as Competent Professional Authority within (6) months of hire

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.