The incumbent serves as Voluntary Service Specialist and is responsible for the daily management of programs associated with volunteers in support of the Voluntary Service Program activities for the Department of Veteran Affairs medical facility.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: The Voluntary Service Specialist assists in all aspects of the development, coordination, and management of the Voluntary Service program, and is responsible for independent management of specific programs. The incumbent provides support in overall integration of community based volunteer participation in appropriate areas of medical care and administrative functions within the facility. The Voluntary Service Specialist is primarily responsible for interviewing, scheduling, placement and evaluation of new volunteers. This includes consulting with clinical and administrative staff to develop appropriate volunteer assignments; determining schedules; and conducting general orientation programs for new volunteers. The incumbent will be responsible for conducting appropriate follow-up activities to assure both adequate supervision and on-the-job training are provided. The Voluntary Service Specialist will provide overall supervision and coordinate specific volunteer programs which will include a variety and diverse assignments. The incumbent will provide daily supervision of volunteers and assure adequate numbers of volunteers and proper training is provided. He/she resolves issues as they arise and consults with the Voluntary Service Program Manager/Officer if policies or procedures require revision. The Voluntary Service Specialist is responsible for assuring that favorable interpersonal relations with management, volunteers, community service organizations, staff, and all customers are maintained. In the absence of the Voluntary Service Program Manager/Officer, the incumbent may serve on Committees and represent the volunteer program at meetings, and designated functions, or in the community. The Voluntary Service Specialist works in conjunction with the Voluntary Service Program Manager/Officer and/or staff in the planning and execution of a variety of complex internal and external special events such as, but not limited to the Volunteer Recognition Ceremony; National Salute to Veteran Patients, Volunteer Week ; and other programs which are directly related to Voluntary Service. The Voluntary Service Specialist will also plan and conduct routine programs, tours of the facility for special visitors, dignitaries , and community groups . He/she may make presentations to a wide variety of groups within the facility and at locations within the community. The incumbent is responsible for the accurate management of the Voluntary Service Timekeeping Program. Work includes overseeing the data entry of master records, posting of volunteer hours, information changes, and monthly transmission of hours. The Voluntary Service Specialist reviews and analyzes monthly reports, and informs the Program Manager/Officer of program trends, processing issues, and makes recommendations for process improvements. The Voluntary Service Specialist compiles information for the preparation of statistical and narrative reports assigned by the Program Manager/Officer. Assists with the planning and implementation of the programs, and may participate on various committees as assigned by the Program Manager/Officer. The Voluntary Service Specialist performs a full range of program and administrative duties in support of the Service, including a variety of duties with assigned or self-initiated priorities. Works with the Program Manager/Officer and staff in the development of new areas for volunteer support, as well as assists in developing recruitment materials, orientation guides, training guides, handbooks, correspondence, etc. Assists with the planning and participates in the quarterly VAVS Committee meetings. The Voluntary Service Specialist is responsible for assisting Program Manager/Officer in the administering of the Gifts and Donations Program. Accepts and records donations to the facility. Maintains General Post Account and reconciles with fiscal service. 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, 0730-1600; with some nights and weekends Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Voluntary Service Specialist/PD08579A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved 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, 10/23/2023. 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; 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: GS-07: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills & abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Voluntary Services Specialist (VSS). Qualifying specialized experience includes experience working for a company, organization, or department specializing in volunteer &/or philanthropic activities; communicating with individuals & groups in community; performing technical program development for a specialized program; performing record keeping & recognition of a volunteer &/or philanthropic program & applying a high level of expertise in identifying special skills & attitudes necessary for sensitive assignments. OR Education: One full year of successfully completed graduate level education or superior academic achievement. if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills & abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): SAA at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled & meet one of the following: Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. OR Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed education & specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education beyond a bachelor's degree may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-07 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. GS-09: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position & has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills & abilities to successfully perform the duties as a VSS. Qualifying specialized experience includes planning, supervising & coordinating volunteers of a volunteer program; evaluating & monitoring the effectiveness of a specialized program & devising new methods for improvement; effectively recruiting, interviewing & evaluating prospective employees/volunteers in order to appropriately utilize their talents & interests; utilizing interpersonal communication skill to foster effective working relationships with others & familiar with a wide variety of principles and practices to evaluate program trends. OR Education: Successfully completed two years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LLB. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university & must demonstrate the knowledge, skills & abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR Combination: Equivalent combination of successfully completed education & specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Conflict Management Work with Others 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: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. 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: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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 VA Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]