
Title: Nutritionist
State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist I
Hiring Range: $47,000-$57,000
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Virginia Department of Health
Location: CENT VA-LYNCHBURG CITY-Cen
Agency Website: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
Consider joining the Virginia Department of Health as we foster healthy and resilient communities. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 35 local health districts.
The Central Virginia Health District seeks to fill a Nutritionist position based at the Lynchburg Health Department You must meet requirements for use of the title Dietitian/Nutritionist as authorized by Code of VA 54.1 – 2731.
We are seeking a highly motivated and energetic individual to join the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) team to serve as a Nutritionist. This position provides nutrition services to clients in a variety of settings within the district. Characteristic activities:
• Conducts patient nutritional assessments and evaluations in the clinic, school and community settings.
• Develops and monitors 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
According to the Code of Virginia, Chapter 27.1. Dietitians and Nutritionists, section § 54.1-2731. Prohibited terms; penalty, no person shall hold himself out to be or advertise or permit to be advertised that such person is a dietitian or nutritionist unless such person:
1. Has (i) received a baccalaureate or higher degree in nutritional sciences, community nutrition, public health nutrition, food and nutrition, dietetics, or human nutrition from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and (ii) satisfactorily completed a program of supervised clinical experience approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;
2. Has active registration through the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics;
3. Has an active certificate of the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists as a Certified Nutrition Specialist;
4. Has an active certification as a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition;
5. Has a current license or certificate as a dietitian or nutritionist issued by another state; or
6. Has the minimum requisite education, training and experience determined by the Board of Health Professions appropriate for such person to hold himself out to be, or advertise or allow himself to be advertised as, a dietitian or nutritionist.
***The successful candidate will be offered 40 hours of front-loaded annual leave on a one-time basis***
In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDH offers excellent employee benefits including health and life insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short- and Long-Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching.
The incumbent of this position would supervise all nutritional programs and supporting staff for the health district, featuring intermediate term program issues. Characteristic activities encompass overall responsibility for planning, implementing and providing of nutrition services to a district including areas of Women's, Infants & Children, Maternal/Child Health, General Medical, Family Planning, Baby Care, and Adolescent Health.
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.
Please note:
This is a restricted position which is solely funded by the WIC Program for a 1-year period ending September 30th each year. The availability of funding is scheduled for review before the grant expiration date and periodically thereafter. Employment is contingent on the continued availability of grant or non-grant funds.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum KSAs:
• 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
meet requirements for use of the title Dietitian/Nutritionist as authorized by Code of VA 54.1 – 2731.
Additional Considerations
n/a
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.
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. 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.
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: Cortez Jackson
Phone: n/a
Email: cortez.jackson@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.

The Commonwealth of Virginia is located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. It was the 10th state to be admitted to the Union on June 25, 1788. Home to approximately 8 million residents, Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the United States. The capital is Richmond, and its most populous city is Virginia Beach.
The narrative history of the Commonwealth of Virginia often begins with the founding of Jamestown in 1607, near what is now modern day Williamsburg, Virginia. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the New World, and the Virginia General Assembly, established on July 30, 1619, is now recognized as the oldest legislative body in the western hemisphere. When Virginia became a royal colony in 1624, the robust tobacco trade that had been developing in Virginia helped establish the American colonies as a powerful economic force. During the American Revolution, Virginia witnessed the final surrender of British forces at Yorktown and later became known as the birthplace of many revolution-era figures and future American presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. To date, 8 United States presidents have been born in Virginia, more than in any other state.
The modern government of Virginia is nearly identical in structure to the federal government, and is divided into 3 branches, these being the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The Virginia General Assembly is comprised of the 100-member House of Delegates and the 40-member Senate. A governor and lieutenant governor are elected every 4 years. Governors cannot be elected to or serve consecutive terms. Virginia’s judicial system consists of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Circuit Courts, and the lower General District Courts and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. Virginia has 13 electoral votes in presidential elections, and possesses 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.