Montana Dietetic Internship & Graduate Program (MDIG) Director

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26433 For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Dawn Tarabochia

406-994-2057

dawn.tarabochia@montana.edu

Classification Title Managing Director Working Title Montana Dietetic Internship & Graduate Program (MDIG) Director Brief Position Overview

Under the supervision of the Department Head of Food Systems, Nutrition and Kinesiology, this position will be filled by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with responsibilities to perform a variety of administrative, professional and organizational duties that facilitate the day-to-day operations and logistics of the online Master of Science (MS) dietetic internship (DI) program. This individual will provide leadership to the MDIG team, customer service to students, preceptors, prospective students, and community partners; direct program planning, budget management and ensure compliance with accreditation standards.

Position Number 4C0127 Department Food Systems Nutrition & Kinesiolog Division College of Education, Health & Human Development Appointment Type Research Professional Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary $85,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The Montana Dietetic Internship and Dietetic Systems Leadership Master of Science degree are programs in the Department of Food Systems, Nutrition & Kinesiology in the College of Education, Health and Human Development. The mission of the Montana Dietetic Internship & Graduate (MDIG) program is to prepare future registered dietitian nutritionists to lead sustainable health solutions for people and the planet, focusing on dietetics practice in Montana and the Rocky Mountain region.

The Director will lead the online program with a team, with up to two days per week remote work, as the schedule permits. The Director will manage and coordinate all aspects of the dietetic internship and MS Dietetic Systems Leadership program; maintain program accreditation, supervise staff, travel to internship sites, represent the program in public and professional organizations; plus, advise online graduate students and limited onsite dietetic interns.

The Director will represent the program at program leader and department meetings, and overall, utilize professional knowledge, judgment and skills to make decisions, and clearly communicate the priorities and views of the program.

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Management

• Supervise MDIG program Assistant Director/s, administrative staff, graduate assistants and consultants.
• Manage and coordinate all aspects of the MDIG Program, including student recruitment, selection, orientation, rotation placement, evaluation, advising and counseling.
• Implement MDIG program policies and procedures, with input from an advisory board.
• Provide support to faculty for syllabus development to include the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) required competencies.
• Coordinate and facilitate MS Faculty and DI preceptor trainings.
  
  

Program Assessment and Accreditation

• Maintain Montana Dietetic Internship & Graduate (MDIG) program accreditation records, reports and submissions.
• Timely submission of fees, reports and requests for major program changes.
• Facilitation of processes for continuous program evaluation and timely submission of required documentation supporting the graduate’s eligibility for a Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) credentialing exam.
• Supervise intern field experiences, provide intern, preceptor and stakeholder support, conflict resolution and remediation, as needed.
  
  

Communications

• Travel to internship rotation sites across the state to engage in preceptor relations.
• Represent the program through participation in professional organizations. Travel to national and Montana local meetings of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/NDEP/Montana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
• Provide intern letters of reference and referrals.
• Oversee management of social media, website, and other promotional avenues
  
  

Teaching & Professional Project Advising

• Lead the MDI orientation and foundation weeks and teaching, grading, providing feedback, and other course delivery tasks for MEDS 581, NUTR 598, and NUTR 575.
• Serve on all graduate student committees and as professional project advisor for 1/3 of graduate students including topic development, advising on research methodology, writing, presentation, and grading.
  
  

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• The qualified candidate will have professional dietetic credentialing (RDN) and demonstrated relevant experience in dietetic practice, education, or program administration.
• Master’s degree in food & nutrition, nutrition sciences, or closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in accredited education program management.
• Demonstrated formal teaching experience
• Demonstrated experience managing staff or contractors
• Demonstrated experience in conducting research, writing and presenting findings, and dissemination/outreach.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills The Successful Candidate Will Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

• PhD in food & nutrition, nutrition sciences, or closely related field.
• Demonstrated ACEND accredited program management experience.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Indigenous or sustainable food systems, weight inclusive care, and/or clinical dietetics practice.
• Five years of experience in nutrition professional practice.
• Demonstrated teaching experience in supervised practice settings.
• Provide clear and consistent interpersonal communications and successfully interacts with stakeholders.
• Demonstrate skill in effective professional and web-based communications, various social media platforms, technical writing, and presentations.
• Have the ability to problem solve using high-level interpretation, discretion, and judgement.
• Knowledge of accurate science, trends, and current topics in dietetics.
• Organize and prioritizes work assignments and meets deadlines.
• Gather data, interprets results, and prepares reports.
• Be proficient in the use of word processing, spreadsheet software, evaluation management software, web-based communications, and social media.
• Establish and maintains a positive rapport with professional staff, faculty, preceptors and students/interns.
• Commit to the MS education and internship process in preparing highly qualified dietetic professionals.
• Advance the profession of dietetics through contributing to the elevation of the profession in the state to support the optimization of Montanans’ health through food and nutrition.
• Exhibit an attitude and work ethic that reflects the land grant mission of advancing teaching, learning, and research for Montana State University and the people of Montana by providing access to information and knowledge.
  
  

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The requirements listed in this description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? Yes

Posting Detail Information

Number Of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date At The Conclusion Of a Successful Search Position End Date (if Temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications Will Be

Screening of applications will begin on June 18, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter
  
  

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).