Performance Dietitian

Commander, Navy Installations Command•San Diego, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is assigned to the Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) Fitness, Sports, and Deployed Support Program Branch; Fleet Readiness; Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC); Commander, Navy Region Southwest; San Diego, California. The incumbent serves as a Human Performance Specialist supporting the optimization of physical readiness onboard the installation. The role provides evidence-based nutrition planning, guidance, and counseling to Navy Active Duty and Reserve personnel to enhance recovery and optimize performance. It also provides clinical nutrition services within the incumbent’s scope of practice and advises the chain of command on nutrition matters relevant to military personnel. The Performance Dietitian develops, implements, and evaluates nutrition programs, protocols, and guidelines for installation personnel, including personnel on temporary duty or deployed. The role includes individual and group counseling; personalized meal, snack, and hydration planning; nutrition education for Sailors, coaches, leaders, staff, and food-service personnel; and assessment of dietary practices, food security, body composition, and energy balance. The incumbent evaluates dietary supplements and addresses nutrition-related challenges to performance, coordinating care with multidisciplinary human-performance teams and other health professionals as appropriate. The position also supports installation food-service operations by reviewing galley menu offerings and food quality, advising on nutrition during travel, and educating Culinary Specialists and other food-service personnel. Administrative duties include maintaining records, documenting services and referrals in military health-record or enterprise database systems, conducting data collection and analysis, developing program metrics, participating in quality assurance and peer reviews, and managing educational materials and supply inventories. The incumbent keeps current with relevant nutrition research, DoD and DON statistics, and applicable rules concerning supplements and restricted substances.

Requirements

At least 3 years of specialized experience applying clinical nutrition and dietetics concepts, principles, and practices in performance enhancement to advise on, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate specialized diet and nutrition plans for athletes and/or military members.
Professional registration as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
Meet the stated education qualification through an accredited bachelor’s or graduate/higher-level degree in dietetics, food, nutrition, food-service management, institution management, or a related science, with qualifying curriculum; alternatively, completion of a coordinated undergraduate program, internship, or other clinical component approved for dietitians or nutritionists. Professional RD or RDN registration is also required.
Professional knowledge and skill in clinical nutrition and dietetics for performance enhancement, including planning and evaluating specialized nutrition plans for active-duty and Reserve personnel.
Knowledge of nutrition education, performance-enhancement, and weight-management intervention programs.
Knowledge of signs and symptoms of eating disorders and disordered eating.
Knowledge of athletic governing-body rules and regulations concerning banned drugs and restricted substances, including those of the NCAA, USADA, WADA, and IOC.
Knowledge and skill in measuring resting metabolic rate, energy expenditure, VO2max, and lactate threshold.
Knowledge of food-service quality and safety procedures.
Knowledge and application of medical nutrition therapy, including interviewing and education techniques.
Knowledge of complementary medicine, ergogenic aids, and nutritional supplements, including herbal supplements.
Knowledge of HIPAA.
Knowledge of CNIC’s organizational structure, functions, and mission, and of ashore and afloat command environments, routines, and organizational structures.
Skill in using nutrient-analysis software and Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Skill in obtaining and assessing dietary histories and determining nutrition requirements based on individual needs.
Skill in communication, presentation, and counseling using evidence-based nutrition topics with diverse groups and varying skill levels.
Skill in accurately measuring height and body weight and assessing body composition, including body mass, body fat, and muscle mass.
Skill in accurately assessing and evaluating energy balance and assessing the effectiveness of nutrition-care plans and individual compliance.
Ability to design, implement, and evaluate nutrition-education, performance-enhancement, and weight-management intervention programs and to plan and conduct educational sessions.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, resolve conflicts, and provide customer relations.
Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Pass applicable records and background checks and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification; resolve any discrepancies as a condition of employment.
Be a U.S. citizen and be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance.
Possess or be able to obtain Blood-borne Pathogen Certification within 90 days of hire.
Possess and maintain current basic CPR certification, including AED training.

Responsibilities

Provide evidence-based nutritional planning, guidance, and counseling to enhance recovery and optimize performance, primarily for Navy Active Duty and Reserve personnel.
Provide individual and group counseling on nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits, and perform clinical duties within scope of practice.
Advise the chain of command on nutrition issues pertinent to military personnel.
Design, implement, and evaluate nutrition programs for military personnel assigned to the installation, on temporary duty, or deployed.
Develop nutrition protocols and guidelines to support rehabilitation and performance, collaborating with the supervisor on implementation.
Provide nutrition consultation and support to other regional military personnel assets when requested and approved.
Ensure educational materials and sports-nutrition supplies are available; assist with inventories and provide input on supply needs.
Ensure related equipment and facilities are safe and properly utilized.
Collect and analyze data and develop program metrics, using existing resources and tools when possible.
Perform administrative duties, including record maintenance and participation in clinical staff quality-assurance functions and peer record reviews.
Provide training, workshops, seminars, conferences, presentations, demonstrations, and events on performance nutrition and related topics.
Keep abreast of current DoD and DON statistics regarding weight-control separations and of research and issues in food, nutrition, health, sports nutrition, and performance enhancement.
Coordinate with installation galley food-service officers and managers on food quality and review galley menu offerings.
Recommend nutrition approaches for CONUS and OCONUS travel, including food availability, lodging, and sports travel.
Develop and deliver nutrition education for food-service personnel and Culinary Specialists.
Assess knowledge and attitudes regarding foods and supplements and educate personnel on product legality, safety, quality, and efficacy.
Recommend appropriate pre-, during-, and post-exercise fluids and snacks for individual training, team practice, and competition.
Serve as a nutrition resource for coaches, leadership, and staff.
Assess and analyze Sailors’ food security, dietary practices, body composition, and energy balance to support compliance with Navy body-composition standards and reduce weight-management-related separations.
Counsel Sailors on nutrition for exercise training, competition, recovery, weight management, hydration, immunity, disordered eating, travel, and dietary supplementation.
Provide personalized meal and snack plans to support short- and long-term mission-readiness goals, and develop and counsel on hydration protocols.
Address nutrition challenges to performance, including food allergies, bone-mineral disturbances, gastrointestinal disturbances, iron depletion, and body-weight fluctuations.
Recommend ways to improve human health and performance and physical-training effectiveness and reduce injuries.
Coordinate nutrition care as a member of multidisciplinary human-performance teams and liaise with in- and outpatient programs for conditions such as disordered eating.
Evaluate nutritional and herbal supplements for legality, safety, quality, and efficacy, and monitor appropriate supplementation.
Collaborate, as appropriate, with an individual’s family, primary-care provider, command leadership, and health professionals.
Educate personnel on food selection, including grocery-store tours and food storage, and food preparation, including food safety and cooking classes.
Document services, utilization, encounters, referrals, and other required information in military electronic health-record systems or the HP enterprise-wide database.