This position is organizationally aligned to Blind Rehabilitation Department, within the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, located at the Edward Hines, Jr., Veterans Administration Hospital (VAH), Hines, IL - a level 1a VHA Complexity Facility. Salary Ranges: GS-7: $52,022- $67,628 GS-9: $63,633 - $82,720

Duties

This position is organizationally aligned to Blind Rehabilitation Department, within the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, located at the Edward Hines, Jr., Veterans Administration Hospital (VAH), Hines, IL - a level 1a VHA Complexity Facility. The primary purpose of the position is to assist any and all staff that are visually impaired within the Blind Rehabilitation Department and the VACO National Consultant in residence, who may require assistance in navigating various data bases, software and systems. The systems, which may or may not be 508 compliant/user friendly, include VA proprietary customer/patient packages, e.g., Registry and Telehealth, and the VA Talent Management System (TMS) and other VA systems. Outreach, education, and data management assistance is also provided. Staff of the Blind Rehab Department receive consumer referrals for Blind Rehabilitation services from approximately 15 states and 13 Veteran Centers. Visual support services provided by this position to department Blind Rehabilitation Specialists is paramount to expediting administrative and training processes and enhancing patient access to care. Provides support to CBRC within program operations to include data and forms management for recurring/non-recurring reports, patient records, general administrative support Supports the office in general tasks such as answering phones, faxing, copying typing correspondence, memos, forms and file maintenance to include front desk coverage. Provides direct support to administration as well as a variety of BRS Specialists. The position provides a wide variety of clerical and administrative support duties in support of overall administrative functions such as data and records management, secretarial support, mail, and e-mail communications. Responds to suspense items and triages communications/inquiries received by email, phone, mail, and in-person requests to determine urgency and subject matter. Provides exemplary customer service and attempt to resolve all matters as effectively and efficiently as possible. Supports the office in general tasks such as answering phones, faxing, copying, typing correspondence, memos, forms, and file maintenance to include front desk coverage. Directly supports Blind Rehabilitation Services employees that have identified reasonable accommodation needs which can be accomplished through the assistance of this position. Incumbent provides skilled audible reader services, as needed to any and all staff that are visually impaired (VI) and members of the Central Blind Rehabilitation Center. Maintains accurate data entries pertinent for statistic reporting, ranging from Service to National levels. Synthesizes, pulls, formats, and analyzes data as needed. Creates, maintains and organizes database reports as needed. Track and evaluates efficacy as well as improvement strategies. Serves as the primary contact for all communications in order to effectively assist with outreach and educational efforts in support of this VA Blind Rehabilitation Regional Program. Reviews program and project promotional materials and completes project file reviews to ensure compliance with accessibility standards and regulations. Collaborates with EES and other facilities to ensure appropriate educational support materials are available to facilitate program objectives. Incumbent assists departmental staff members that are Visually Impaired in synthesizing, pulling, formatting and analyzing data as needed; coordinates efforts, avoiding duplication with other Blind Rehab Department administrative staff. Creates, maintains and organizes database reports as needed by management in support of staff that are Visually Impaired . Converts materials into accessible formats for staff members that are Visually Impaired. Drive and transport staff and Veterans that are visually impaired for Blind Rehabilitation training. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full-time, 0730-1600 Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: PD150380 and PD235370 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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, 10/24/2023. 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-5 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-9.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. Driver's License Requirement: Applicants must possess a valid, unrestricted State driver's license, have a safe driving record, and demonstrate that he or she is medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely. NOTE: We cannot accept photographs, therefore; please do not submit a copy of your driver's license with your application package. If an interview is requested, you may be required to provide a copy of your valid state-issued driver's license. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-7 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of the mission of the Blind Rehabilitation Department to provide knowledgeable information in support of effective outreach and educational efforts. Comprehensive knowledge of oral and written communication principles, methods, and techniques to facilitate provision of proficient, well-informed reader support to staff that are visually impaired within the department. Knowledge and skill in transmitting information by spoken word to individuals or groups sufficient to promote and assess understanding and recognition of material offered, adjusting content or presentation as necessary for understanding. Ability to provide audible, articulate, and well-modulated oral renditions of written source material in various formats, facilitating the exchange of information with Blind Rehabilitation Services staff members and Veterans that are visually impaired. Knowledge of computer software programs equivalent to Microsoft Excel, Access, Outlook, and Word. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and graduate education as stated above. GS-9 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of the mission of the Blind Rehabilitation Department to provide knowledgeable information in support of effective outreach and educational efforts. Comprehensive knowledge of oral and written communication principles, methods, and techniques to facilitate provision of proficient, well-informed reader support to staff that are visually impaired within the department. Knowledge and skill in transmitting information by spoken word to individuals or groups sufficient to promote and assess understanding and recognition of material offered, adjusting content or presentation as necessary for understanding. Ability to provide audible, articulate, and well-modulated oral renditions of written source material in various formats, facilitating the exchange of information with Blind Rehabilitation Services staff members and Veterans that are visually impaired. Knowledge of computer software programs equivalent to Microsoft Excel, Access, Outlook, and Word. 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 graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B or J.D., if related. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and higher level graduate education as stated above. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Customer ServiceInformation ManagementLeadership 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 conferences, briefings, meetings, etc. There may be occasional brief visits to external meetings/conferences, etc.; 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 Edward Hines Junior Hospital 5000 South 5th Avenue Hines, IL 60141 US
• Name: Amanda Smithy
• Phone: 708-768-3202
• Email: [email protected]