Summary 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, CA. Incumbent serves as a Human Performance Specialist and provides program support in the optimization of physical readiness onboard the installation. Duties In order to qualify for this position, resumes must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the duties of the position. Applicant resumes are the key means for evaluating skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position therefore, applicants are encouraged to be clear and specific when describing experience.
Duties include but are not limited to:
- Provides nutritional planning, guidance, and counseling on dietary practices to enhance recovery and optimize performance with a primary focus on educating Navy Active Duty and Reserve personnel regarding proper dietary practices, guided by evidence-based peer-reviewed literature.
- Provides individual and group counseling for guidance on nutrition and healthy lifestyle habits. Performs clinical duties within scope of practice.
- Advises the chain of command on issues pertinent to military personnel's nutrition.
- Designs and implements nutritional programs for military personnel assigned to the installation, TAD/TDY and deployed.
- Develops nutritional protocols and guidelines to enhance military personnel's rehabilitation and performance. Collaborates with supervisor for the implementation of new protocols and guidelines.
- Assists other regional military personnel assets with nutritional consultation and support as requested by supervisor and approved by the chain of command.
- Ensures adequate educational materials and sports nutrition specific supplies are available. Assists with supply inventories. Provides input on supply needs.
- Ensures related equipment and facilities are in safe working conditions and properly utilized.
- Performs data collection and analysis. Develops and implements program metrics utilizing existing resources and tools when possible.
- Performs administrative duties, which may include maintaining records, and participating in clinical staff quality assurance functions.
- Participates in peer (record) reviews.
- Provides training and education workshops, seminars, and conferences pertaining to performance enhancement nutrition and related subjects.
- Keeps abreast of current Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Navy (DON) statistics regarding weight control separations.
- Stays abreast of current food, nutrition, and health issues and research related to sports nutrition and performance enhancement strategies.
- Coordinates with installation galley food service officers/managers on food quality, reviewing galley menus offerings.
- Recommends nutrition for CONUS and OCONUS travel, for example, food availability, lodging, and sports travel.
- Develops and delivers nutrition education for food service personnel/Culinary Specialists.
- Assesses attitudes and knowledge about foods and supplements to provide education and information regarding the legality, safety, quality, and efficacy of product use.
- Develops and delivers nutrition education presentations, demonstrations, or events on various topics related to nutrition for performance.
- Recommends appropriate pre-, during, and post-exercise fluids and snacks for individual training, team practice, and competition.
- Serves as a nutrition resource for coaches, leadership, and staff.
- Assesses and analyzes food security, dietary practices, body composition, and energy balance (intake and expenditure) of Sailors to increase compliance with Navy body composition standards and ultimately reduce separations from the Navy due to weight management issues.
- Counsels Sailors on optimal nutrition for exercise training (match nutrition to training phases and goals), competition, recovery from exercise, weight management, hydration, immunity, disordered eating, travel, and dietary supplementation.
- Provides personalized meal and snack plans to promote achieving short- and long-term goals for mission readiness.
- Develops and counsels in hydration protocols.
- Addresses nutritional challenges to performance, such as food allergies, bone mineral disturbances, gastrointestinal disturbances, iron depletion, and body weight fluctuations.
- Makes recommendations to improve human health and performance, physical training effectiveness, and reduce injuries.
- Coordinates nutritional care as a member of multidisciplinary human performance teams.
- Provides liaison with in- and out-patient programs for conditions such as disordered eating.
- Evaluates nutritional supplements, including herbal supplements, for legality, safety, quality, and efficacy, monitors use of appropriate supplementation.
- Collaborates with the individual's family, primary care provider, command leadership, and health professionals, as appropriate.
- Educates in food selection (grocery store tours, food storage) and food preparation (food safety, cooking classes).
- Documents services provided, utilization, encounters, referrals, and all other information in the military's electronic health record (e.g., AHLTA, MHS GENSIS, etc.) and/or the HP enterprise-wide database, as required.
Qualifications
Resumes must include information which demonstrates experience and knowledge, skills, and ability (KSAs) as they relate to this position. Applicants are encouraged to be clear and specific when describing their experience level and KSAs.
A qualified candidate must possess all of the following:
- At least 3 years of specialized experience in applying a wide range of concepts, principles, and practices of clinical nutritional and dietetics in the specialty areas of performance enhancement, sufficient 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).
A qualified candidate must possess one of the following:
- A Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in the fields of dietetics, food, nutrition, food service management, institution management, or related science. The educational program must have been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. The curriculum must have been in accordance with the qualifying requirements established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) (formerly American Dietetic Association (ADA) prior to January 1, 2012) in effect at the time of graduation.
- Completion of a coordinated undergraduate program, internship, or other clinical component approved by AND (formerly ADA) for dietitians or nutritionists.
- Professional registration as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
A qualified candidate also possesses the following:
- Professional knowledge of, and skill in applying, a wide range of concepts, principles, and practices of clinical nutritional and dietetics in the specialty areas of performance enhancement, sufficient to advise on, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate specialized diet and nutrition plans for active duty and reserves.
- Knowledge of nutrition education, performance enhancement, and weight management intervention programs.
- Knowledge of eating disorder/disordered eating signs and symptoms.
- Knowledge of rules and regulations of athletic governing bodies: e.g., National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding banned drugs and restricted substances.
- Knowledge of and skill in taking measurements of 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 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
- Knowledge of CNIC's organizational structure, functions, and mission.
- Knowledge of the ashore and afloat commands' environments, routines, and organizational structures.
- Skill in the use of nutrient analysis software.
- Skill in the use of Microsoft Office Programs (e.g., Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook).
- Skill in obtaining and assessing dietary histories and nutrition requirements based on individual needs.
- Skill in communication, presentation, and counseling using evidence-based nutrition topics to diverse groups from different backgrounds and varying skill set levels.
- Skill in accurately measuring height and body weight.
- Skill to accurately assess body composition (body mass, body fat, and muscle mass).
- Skill to accurately assess and evaluate energy balance.
- Skill in assessing effectiveness of nutritional care plans for and compliance by individuals.
- Ability to and skill in designing, implementing, and evaluating nutrition education, performance enhancement, and weight management intervention programs.
- Ability to and skill in planning and conducting educational sessions for patrons.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Ability to resolve conflicts and customer relations.
- Ability to work independently and with an interdisciplinary team.
Education As a minimum education requirement for this series, a qualified candidate must possess one of the following:
- A Bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in the fields of dietetics, food, nutrition, food service management, institution management, or related science. The educational program must have been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. The curriculum must have been in accordance with the qualifying requirements established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) (formerly American Dietetic Association (ADA) prior to January 1, 2012) in effect at the time of graduation.
- Completion of a coordinated undergraduate program, internship, or other clinical component approved by AND (formerly ADA) for dietitians or nutritionists.
- Professional registration as a Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).
How you will be evaluated All resumes will be reviewed to determine if they meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement, and will be rated based on the information provided in the resume to determine the level of knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) related to the job requirements. Using the qualifications of the position, a predetermined rating criterion of KSAs will be used for each resume. Best qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager. The selecting official may choose to conduct interviews. How to apply To be considered for this vacancy you must apply and complete the online questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. When building or uploading your resume, please note there is a two-page limit. The system will restrict any attempts to submit a longer document.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/12/2026 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13105535
It is your responsibility to ensure your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date.
Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Applicant
To verify or check the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account. Once logged in, the Welcome screen lists your applications, your application status and the date it was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status
DON is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, reprisal, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor. The DON provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants with disabilities who believe they may require reasonable accommodation(s) should email their request to usn.ncr.cnicwashingtondc.mbx.naf-usastaffing@us.navy.mil to ensure proper consideration is given. Other information Salary is dependent on experience and/or education. Salary is inclusive of locality pay.
Some positions have special requirements. Selectee may be required to complete a one (1) year probationary period. Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required. We utilize E-Verify to confirm selectee's eligibility to work in the United States. Salary is dependent on experience and/or education.
This announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies within 60 days of issuance of selection certificate. For positions requiring travel more than twice per year, selectee may be required to obtain and maintain in good standing a Government-issued Travel Card for official government travel purposes.
Executive Order 12564 requires a Federal workplace free of illegal drugs. According to the Executive Order, all Federal employees are required to remain drug free throughout their employment. Commander, Navy Installations Command is a Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated, and use of or intoxication by illegal drugs will result in penalties up to and including removal from Federal Service.