Summary

This position is in Nutrition and Food Services (NFS) located in a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The primary purpose of the position is to provide administrative and customer service support for the VA hospital food service program. Performs routine duties that require exceptional customer service - computer skills - proper phone etiquette - proficiency in special food service and therapeutic diet procedures.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement - 06/17/2026. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include - but are not limited to: performing duties in food service in a hospital environment; knowledge of tray assembly area procedures; using dietetics software programs; familiarity with regular and modified diets; assisting with food selections; following verbal and written instructions; and using computer equipment - phone system - and printers. Effective communication skills both verbally and in writing and good customer service. OR - Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successful completion of a full four (4) year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree - with a major study or at least 24 semester hours in subjects directly related to this position (i.e. nutrition - dietary therapy - food and nutrition science - food service systems management - etc.). This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school - junior college - college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR - Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. Determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school - junior college - college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours - 45 quarter hours - or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school.NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. For more information on these qualification standards - please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Duties

• Duties include - but may not be limited to the following: Utilizes a computer to enter and retrieve basic information
• Utilizes dietetic software programs to retrieve diet orders - recipes - and menu and inventory data
• Prints and assembles packets
• Properly operates telephone equipment to transfer or place calls on hold
• Provides professional and courteous customer service
• Triages telephone calls from customers and/or patients
• Provides basic-level education and information on therapeutic diets to patients - guests - and nursing staff
• Resolves customer and/or patient complaints
• Utilizes knowledge of basic and routine modified diets to identify problems in diet order information and take appropriate corrective action
• Correctly interprets diet activity and patient information - to ensure appropriate food items on meals trays
• Verifies physician orders for unusual diets - conflicting modifications - tube feeding orders and nutritional supplements
• Assist with food selections - ensuring appropriateness of menu selections for complex diets
• Answers the telephone using proper business etiquette
• communicates with customers in a pleasant - friendly - personable - and professional manner
• Communicates effectively via telephone and in-person
• Attends to both verbal and nonverbal aspects of communication
• Work Schedule: Full time - Varies from 5:00am to 7:00pm including Weekends & Holidays
• Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Health Technician (Dietetic)/PD99855S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized