WDVA Clinical Nutrition Manager, Full-Time, Permanent, Washington Veterans Home

Please Note: Standard business hours for this position are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.., Monday through Friday in-office at the Washington Veterans Home in Port Orchard, with possible variation hours from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
*This position has been posted within the assigned pay range through Step L. Step M has not been published as this is considered the longevity step, in alignment with state HR compensation rules.

Updated as of July 1, 2025: This position is eligible for "Supplement Basic Shift Premium" for 24/7 Facilities. Employees who are assigned to a facility that provides direct care to residents, patients, and/or clients and whose duties are required to be performed on location will receive an additional one dollar ($1.00) per hour of supplemental basic shift premium for each hour of basic shift premium. This shift premium does not apply to overtime hours. The supplemental basic shift premium shall expire on June 29, 2027.

At the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) we are passionate about our mission of “Serving Those Who Served.” As a national leader in our advocacy for nearly 500,000 Veterans and their family members, we strive to connect them to earned benefits as well as innovative programs focused on their overall health and wellness.  In addition, we provide critical community services through a variety of programs, and at our four State Veterans Homes located in Orting, Port Orchard, Spokane, and Walla Walla. These locations provide Medicare and Medicaid nursing home care to Veterans, including, in some instances, their spouses, widows, or Gold Star families.

• A Masters or Bachelors degree involving major study in food and nutrition or dietetics which meets the educational standards established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• 24 months recent experience as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, preferred in long-term care.
• Registration by the Commission of Dietetics Registration (RD/RDN).
• Certified Dietitian with the Washington State Department of Health or within 6 months of hire.
• Must be proficient in the English language and be able to read, write and speak English.

Preferred/Desired:

Certified Diabetes Educator:
• Certified Specialist in Gerontological Nutrition
• Able to organize, prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines in a time-sensitive environment.
• Experience with project planning, implementation and evaluation.
• Possess an understanding of professional boundaries.
• Demonstrated skills and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Serve Safe certified.
• Experience with Point Click Care and/or other Electronic Medical Record Program.

Competencies:
• Ability to proficiently demonstrate working knowledge of the Nutrition Care Process.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in both verbal and written form.
• Excellent communication and interactional skills, including clear and effective written and verbal communications. Ability to remain patient and work effectively with others in stressful or sensitive situations.
• Comfortable with public speaking and public outreach.
• Proven ability to work independently and in a collaborative team environment.
• Experience with group facilitation, conflict resolution and a working knowledge of organizational development issues.
• Ability to respond quickly to change.
• Ability to develop good working relationships with residents and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under stressful conditions.
• Ability to occasionally work a flexible schedule that may include evenings and weekends.
• Ability to organize and schedule work; establish and manitain cooprerative working relationship with others; prepare and maintain dietetic charts and nutrition histories; geriatric nutrition; DSHS and VA guidelines with regard to nutrition and food service.
• Ability to adapt to changing work routines and responsibilities. Ability to stay focused on tasks, work efficiently and handle interruptions appropriately. Transition smoothly between tasks.
• Knowledge of: therapeutic diet planning; preparation and serving of special diets; sanitary methods of food handling
• Ability to: organize and schedule work; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others, comply with DSHS and VA guidelines with regard to nutrition and food service.

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to pass a DSHS BCCU Background Check prior to beginning services and every two (2) years in accordance with WDVA Policy 615.000 Background Checks. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Must comply with annual Tuberculin Screening in accordance with DVA policy 670.000 Tuberculosis Testing.
• Requires medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and use of respiratory protection as required by the Washington Industrial Safety and Act standards. Must be able to wear a respirator, medical gloves, gowns, eye protection, and other personal protection as required by a job or task.
• Must maintain regular and reliable attendance and follow proper call-in procedures.
• Must successfully complete, within mandated timeframes, employee orientation and all other mandatory, annual, in-service, and other required training.
• Must become familiar and comply with all DVA policies and procedures and Collective Bargaining Agreements as applicable.
• Must sign the confidentiality statement for all employees.
• Must maintain a valid Washington State Food Handler's Permit (fromhttps://www.foodworkercard.wa.gov).
• Positions requiring travel must have a valid unrestricted driver's license and must be insured if driving a privately owned vehicle on state business.
• Candidates who are offered a job with WDVA must possess work authorization which does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future.

Application Process:  
Top candidates will be contacted directly to interview for this position. Because the selection will be based on information provided by you, it is in your best interest to identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that address the mandatory and desirable qualifications described below.
 
Please include the following documents with your application:
 1. A letter of interest describing specific qualifications.
 2. A current resume detailing applicable experience and education.

Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with current telephone numbers.

Other Information:

• This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.

Here at YOUR Washington Department of Veterans Affairs our employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or Veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the mission of the agency. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures on how we can provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone.
 
The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 725-2183. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.  
 
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our award-winning diverse and inclusive organization.

If you have any questions regarding this announcement, program, or the agency, please contact us at recruiters@dva.wa.gov.