The Veterans Outreach Program Specialist serves as the principal outreach staff member for Military Reserve and National Guard members returning from the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), and Operation New Dawn (OND). The nature of the job requires travel throughout an assigned geographical area away from the Vet Center.

Duties

Participates and provides training and information to VA staff, other federal agencies and community agencies. Assists veteran clients and their families in understanding their rights and responsibilities. Identifies existing and potential problem areas, suggests solutions or alternatives. Conducts follow-up evaluations of clients to determine whether he/she, their significant other, and families have received all appropriate services and provides and additional services or referrals required. Distributes outreach materials to include brochures, fact sheets, web content, and other targeted information. Participates in transitional assistance program briefings Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm; some night and weekends required (tour of duty is determined by Veteran Center needs) Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Vet Outreach Program Specialist (VOPS)/PD50010A and PD50008A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/20/2023 Special Placement Factor: This position requires you to have an active and unexpired drivers license. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience GS-07: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Develops and maintains working relationships with a network of service provision agencies and individuals; Explains basic entitlements to veterans clients and their families; or Prepares and maintains client records/administrative records and reports by documenting events and contacts; or Establishes outreach service provision with military installations, Reserve and National Guard facilities within a designated geographical area; or Demonstrates the ability to be innovative and creative within program parameters. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have on full year of graduate or superior academic qualification of a 3.0 or higher with Bachelor's Degree. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond Bachelor's Degree. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience GS-09: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Participates in administrative, staff, clinical, and in-service meetings; or Conduct outreach events and provide services to veterans and active duty and family members in Veterans Service area and to meet mission needs; or; or Acts to resolve problems, expedite services, or implement necessary corrective measures within established policies and where appropriate; Works with local and regional media including television, radio, and print media to alert newly returning service members and their families to Vet Center services and activities; or Actively participates in program planning and in making recommendations in program policy and procedures. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Master's or equivalent or LL.B. or J.D. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond Master's Degree. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Creative ThinkingIntegrity/HonestyVehicle OperationVeteran and Customer Focus Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: Work is usually performed sitting at a desk, in news conferences, briefings, meetings, etc.; or riding in an automobile or on public transportation. A high level of physical energy is required, as the incumbent will be expected to meet with many people in many different locations in the course of a workday; however, no special physical demands are involved in performing the work. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Readjustment Counseling Service 120 SE 6th Avenue, Ste. 102 Topeka, KS 66603 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]