Director of Dietetic Services - South Mountain Restoration Center

State of Pennsylvania
South Mountain, Pennsylvania
Full Time

Email Address

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THE POSITION

Do you want to make a difference in the world by directing food service operations for a community of hope? Apply for this Director of Dietetic Services position with the South Mountain Restoration Center. We are a long-term care facility dedicated to providing compassionate, professional quality care to our residents in order to assist their recovery and, whenever possible, help them return home to their communities.

As the administrative department head of our Dietetic Services operation, you will support the wellbeing of Center residents by ensuring that all nutrition services meet professional, regulatory, and facility standards. Your leadership will shape how these services make a real difference every day. Join an agency that values quality, compassion, and service!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

As the Director of Dietetic Services at South Mountain Restoration Center, you will plan, organize, and direct the overall operations of the food service department. This includes overseeing both clinical dietetics and food service operations. Work involves the following duties:

Menu Oversight: Plan and review standard and therapeutic menus to make sure they follow doctors' prescriptions and standards of nutrition, cost, variety, and quality
Nutritional Program Planning: Direct and review the complete program of resident nutritional care including required nutritional assessments; develop and implement food service that supports the physiological, emotional, and cultural needs of each resident
Resource Management: Prepare an annual budget within requirements; supervise ordering, receiving, storing, and distributing food, supplies, and equipment to support uninterrupted dietary services
Quality Compliance: Administer dietetic components of the facility quality improvement program to maintain compliance with accrediting agencies
Staff Leadership: Oversee staffing, scheduling, evaluations, training, and labor relations to maintain efficient and effective departmental operations
Food Service Supervision: Direct food production, inspect service areas, and recommend improvements to maintain safety, sanitation, and quality

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

Three years of experience in the supervision of food preparation activities in an institutional food service or institutional food production operation, and a bachelor's degree in food science, nutrition, dietetics, food service, culinary arts, or a related field; or
An equivalent combination of experience and training which included three years of experience in the supervision of food preparation activities in an institutional food service or institutional food production operation.

Special Requirements:

This position requires active certification as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) as issued by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, or proof of eligibility for such certification.

Other Requirements:

You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination.
This position falls under the provisions of the Older Adult Protective Services Act.
Under the Act, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including but not limited to, PA State Police and FBI clearance.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
You must provide complete and accurate information or:
your score may be lower than deserved.
you may be disqualified.
You may only apply/test once for this posting.
Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning

We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance

We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture

We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks

Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

Eligibility rules apply.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Do you possess active certification as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) as issued by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, or proof of eligibility for such certification?

If you are certified as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) as defined by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, you must upload a copy of your certification.

If you meet this requirement based on being eligible for certification as a Registered Dietitian or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist as defined by the Commission on Dietetic Registration of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, you must upload a copy of your eligibility letter.

Do you possess three or more years of full-time technical or paraprofessional level (or higher level) experience in the supervision of food preparation activities in an institutional food service or institutional food production operation?

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

How much college coursework have you completed in food science, nutrition, dietetics, food service, culinary arts, or a related field?

If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.

You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

A conferred bachelor's degree or higher
120 credits or more
90 but less than 120 credit
60 but less than 90 credit
30 but less than 60 credits
Less than 30 credits
None

How much minimally technical or paraprofessional level full-time experience do you possess in food science, nutrition, dietetics, food service, culinary arts, or a related field?

4 years or more
3 but less than 4 years
2 but less than 3 years
1 but less than 2 years
Less than 1 year
none

CS-INSTRUCTIONS You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.

All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each question carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.

If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our FAQ page.

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - MEAL PLANNING

Plans meals for patients in compliance with Centers for Medicare Services, Department of Health, and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics policies and regulations. Uses electronic meal tracking software to ensure patient food restrictions, substitutions, and special instructions are implemented.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

a. I have experience planning meals for individuals in compliance with Centers for Medicare Services, Department of Health, or the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics policies and regulations AND using electronic meal tracking software to ensure food restrictions, substitutions, or special instructions are implemented. This experience was in a hospital, mental health hospital/facility, or nursing home.
b. I have experience planning meals for individuals in compliance with Centers for Medicare Services, Department of Health, or the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics policies and regulations AND using electronic meal tracking software to ensure food restrictions, substitutions, or special instructions are implemented. This experience was in an institutional food service or institutional food production operation OTHER THAN a hospital, mental health hospital/facility, or nursing home.
c. I have experience planning meals for individuals in compliance with Centers for Medicare Services, Department of Health, or the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics policies and regulations. I DID NOT use electronic meal tracking software.
d. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to nutrition, dietetics, hotel and restaurant management, food services, or culinary arts.
e. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
Your experience related to planning meals for individuals
The type(s) of individuals for whom you planned meals
The setting of the experience you claimed
The type of electronic meal tracking software you used

If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework, please provide your responses to the three items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below.

College/University
Course Title
Credits/Clock Hours

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - POLICY DEVELOPMENT

Develops new dietary department policies and procedures and revises existing policies and procedures based on updates to processes or regulations.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

a. I have experience DEVELOPING NEW dietary department policies and procedures.
b. I have experience REVISING EXISTING dietary department policies and procedures based on updates to processes and regulations. I have not developed new policies and procedures.
c. I have experience developing new or revising existing policies and procedures OTHER THAN those used in a dietary department.
d. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to policy development.
e. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.

The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience
Your experience related to developing or revising policies and procedures
The type(s) of policies and procedures you developed or revised

College/University
Course Title
Credits/Clock Hours

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - QUALITY ASSURANCE

Conducts quality reviews of prepared foods to ensure appropriate texture, consistency, flavor, and proper preparation techniques. Monitors for proper portioning and food waste. Determines alterations to food preparation activities to enhance food quality and eliminate waste.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

a. I have experience conducting quality reviews of prepared foods to ensure appropriate texture, consistency, flavor, and proper preparation techniques; monitoring for proper portioning and food waste; AND determining alterations to food preparation activities to enhance food quality and eliminate waste.
b. I have experience conducting quality reviews of prepared foods to ensure appropriate texture, consistency, flavor, and proper preparation techniques, AND monitoring for proper portioning and food waste.
c. I have experience conducting quality reviews of prepared foods to ensure appropriate texture, consistency, flavor, and proper preparation techniques.
d. I have successfully completed college-level coursework related to quality assurance.
e. I have NO experience or education related to this work behavior.