This position is located in the Department of the Chief Program Officer, AmeriCorps VISTA. The AmeriCorps VISTA program provides opportunities for individuals 18 years or older from a diverse range of backgrounds to dedicate a year (term) of full-time service with an organization or public agency. VISTA members develop or expand community-driven programs designed to empower individuals to address poverty and create positive change that lasts long after their service.

Duties

The Policy and Guidance Specialist performs a range of program and management administration and analysis functions. They serve as a subject matter expert for VISTA program and project life-cycle policy and guidance materials and coordinate collaboration among various stakeholders. The Policy and Guidance Specialist will lead the development, implementation, and revision of operating policies, procedures, tools and training to ensure high quality management practices through the lenses of VISTA project applicants, sponsors, and CNCS offices. The Policy and Guidance Specialist is responsible for the following: Supports annual objective-setting and periodic performance reporting on programmatic activities. Develops systems to track and report on the project life-cycle. Coordinates periodic updates to leadership on objectives and results. Interprets legal and regulatory requirements for VISTA staff, Office of Regional Operations, and other offices, providing authoritative advice. Serves as VISTA lead regarding processes and practices to ensure compliance and oversight and adherence to agency and Federal requirements. Supports the preparation and maintenance of high quality informational, training, and technical assistance materials for CNCS staff, project sponsors, and the general public, including, but not limited to, handbooks, program guidance, desk references, and project application instructions. Develops reports and tools to inform analysis, organizational learning, and policy making. Develops overviews, analyses, briefing documents, policy documents, and other materials related to the national VISTA program and individual VISTA projects. Supports continuous improvement efforts that promote efficiency and effectiveness, including identification, analysis, prioritization and process, program and project improvement. Develops and delivers training to support CNCS staff and sponsors in execution of VISTA program. Serves as the VISTA representative on a variety of internal and external initiatives, including liaising with key offices to manage relationships and information relevant to VISTA program administration, such as the Office of Regional Operations, Office of Grant Administration, Office of Monitoring, Office of the Chief Risk Officer, and Office of General Counsel. Actively stays informed of trends, resources, and best practices in the fields of poverty alleviation and capacity building. Takes the lead in developing and deploying communications, training and technical assistance vehicles, and strategies for VISTA, Office of Regional Operations colleagues and sponsors, when appropriate.

Requirements

• You must be a United States Citizen
• A 2-year probationary period is required for new Federal employees and supervisors.
• Merit Promotion and internal applicants must submit a SF-50 to verify Status and grade
• Satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
• Must be telework ready. See the ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section for more details regarding the agency's current full-time telework status.

Qualifications

Applicants must have one year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to at least the upper range of the NY-02 pay band, which, would be at or equivalent to, the GS-9 level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is that which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes: Leading the development, implementation, and revision of operating policies, procedures, and training. Interpreting and applying legal and regulatory requirements to program operations. Planning grant program application, review, and award processes, including developing training and technical assistance materials. Developing program activity objectives, tracking performance, and reporting on results. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Such experience must be clearly documented in the applicant's resume.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement; education may be substituted for Specialized Experience at this grade level. If you are qualifying on education alone, you must have either of the following:

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

OR

3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.

Please reference General Schedule Qualification Standards (opm.gov)

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address AmeriCorps 250 E Street SW Washington, DC 20525 US
• Name: Shareynique Chambers
• Phone: 202-606-7573
• Email: [email protected]