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

Duties: Establishes outreach service provision with military installations, Reserve and National Guard facilities within a designated geographical area. Provides transitional assistance program briefings to Military, Reserve, and National Guard personnel transitioning from combat service/active duty to civilian life. Develops and distributes outreach materials to include brochures, fact sheets, web content, and other information which highlights Vet Center services and locations. Provides training and information to VA staff, other federal agencies and community agencies regarding both Vet Center services and the combat experience. Assist transitioning for GWOT, OEF, OIF, and OND Veterans and their families in understanding their rights in addition to their responsibilities. Maintains a liaison with Veteran's service organizations, community groups, and others whose interest is in helping and protecting Veterans. Assist clients, their families, and representatives, and faculty staff members in recognizing and removing institutional barriers to the provision of optimum readjustment counseling to transitioning combat Veterans and their families. Acts to resolve problems, expedite services, or implement necessary corrective measures within established policies and where appropriate. Conducts intake and needs assessment, as well as crisis intervention, stabilization and follow-up to Veterans and their families. Provides vocational, educational, benefits, and related services, guidance, and referrals. Conducts follow-up evaluations of clients to determine whether clients have received all appropriate services and provides any additional services or referrals required. Engages in a variety of community outreach activities that will promote the use of the services of the Vet Center. Prepares and maintains client records/administrative records and reports in accordance with program guidelines and policies. Serves as the designated Mobile Vet Center (MVC) or other government owned vehicle operator for the Vet Center (Incumbent must meet all local and state licensure requirements to operate the MVC or assigned government vehicle). Responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle, documentation and certifications for the vehicle and staying current on the proper use of vehicle. Checking communications systems, electrical systems, etc; Closing the MVC when the designated event or work day is over and properly preparing the vehicle for departure/return to the assigned Vet Center. Performs all other duties as assigned. 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 (may be required to work some evenings and weekends); Variable work schedule due to position requirement of attending community events. Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Vet Outreach Program Spec/PD50007A and PD132530 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/06/2023. 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-06. 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. 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-06. 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 graduate education as described below. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. GS-07 QUALIFICATIONS: Specialized Experience: 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: experience assisting with planning community outreach events, distributing marketing material, providing information to clients such as benefits or entitlements to services, and experience with administrative functions in maintaining client records and reports. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one full year of graduate level education or Superior Academic Achievement (based on class standing, Grade-point average, or honor society membership). 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 a bachelor's degree. GS-09 QUALIFICATIONS: Specialized Experience: 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: experience promoting and planning community outreach events, developing and distributing marketing material, representing an agency at outreach events, experience training staff and community agencies regarding services, providing information to clients such as benefits or entitlements to services, and experience with administrative functions in maintaining client records and reports. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed a master's degree 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 education beyond one full year of graduate education. 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]