The incumbent of this position is a Training Specialist for the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) which is aligned under the Associate Chief of Staff for Education, Designated Education Officer (DEO), who reports to the Chief of Staff (COS).

Duties

The primary duties of this position include, but are not limited to: managing several employee development curricula; teaching in one or more of these curricula; overall program management of various employee development programs and all associated performance measures; ensuring that educational programs are designed to fit the employee needs. Major duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to: Responsible for the design, development, and management of major health care system-wide development programs and curricula (e.g., New Employee Orientation (NEO), Emerging Leaders Development Program (ELDP) and Mentor Program). Assesses programs, selects appropriate faculty as necessary, and reviews their proposed training presentation materials for quality and suitability to include in the course materials. Administers all logistics for managed programs and curricula, including oversight of training materials and supplies, determining the selection and quantity of refreshments for Veterans Canteen Service to provide, and that the furniture in the room is properly configured. Participates in Service Improvement Model (SIM) activities and integrates these continuous improvement (i.e., Lean) principles into education curricula, while utilizing adult learning principles in preparing and implementing education programs. Provides consultative services to VAPAHCS services with possible education needs. Conducts training for VAPAHCS staff who are designated to serve as mentors in various leadership development programs (e.g., Leadership Development Institute (LDI), ELDP, and/or local mentoring program coaches). Responsible for facilitating various courses, with participant groups ranging from specific staff to health care system-wide groups and is responsible for accommodating the learning needs of various participant groups across the health care system. Responsible for independently facilitating large groups (e.g., NEO, ELDP and Mentor Program) and smaller groups (e.g., VA Voices). Physical Requirements: The work is mostly sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending, and lifting of equipment weighing less than 40 pounds. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. 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, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm 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#: Training Specialist/PD02252-A and PD02251-A 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, 12/11/2023. 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-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. For a GS-11 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. Candidates must meet the following Individual Occupational Requirement: Candidates must meet the following minimum qualifications of the 1712 Training Instruction Series. Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- education or a subject area related to the position to be filled. OR, Specialized Experience: Experience that demonstrated a practical knowledge of the subject area of the position and of the methods and techniques of instruction. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Teaching or instructing in an adult education program, secondary school, college, military installation, or industrial establishment in the appropriate field(s). Supervising or administering a training program. Development or review of training/course materials, aids, devices, etc., and evaluation of training results. Work in the occupation or subject-matter field of the position to be filled that required training or instructing others on a regular basis. In addition to the Individual Occupational Requirement candidates must also meet the following specialized experience: GS-9 Minimum Requirements: Specialized Experience: 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: designs formal educational classes for employees; applies theories and concepts of accelerated learning techniques and principles of sound instructional design to educational programs; optimizes the use of web-based instructional design methods and education content authoring software in order to provide assistance and advice to staff, supervisors, and managers who seek assistance in correcting problems through educational interventions; provides employee assistance in troubleshooting problems, understanding online Learning Program and Learning History functions, and to troubleshoot Online Learning User Profile issues; reviews conference/event guidance, policies, and procedures sufficient to provide guidance to employees who are attending educational programs. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or masters or equivalent graduate degree, or LL.B. 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 and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. 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 the first year (18 semester hours) of graduate school may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level. GS-11 Minimum Requirements: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: follows the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) qualification standards and time in-grade requirements for General Schedule (GS) and Federal Wage System (FWS) occupations in order to provide career counseling assistance to participants and coaches/mentors in the facility; consults with top management, service chiefs, and supervisors to analyze resulting short and long-term educational needs; uses standard and customizable educational modules available from vendors in order to determine and select the best source for onsite delivery to meet identified education needs of agency; : design, develop, present, and evaluate quality education programs for a diverse employee workforce; develop and deliver briefings for managerial staff; prepare written project and program status reports; writes communications in order to prepare memoranda, bulletins, funding justifications, and position papers; uses MS Office Suite software sufficient to design training packages, workbooks, handouts, and to prepare correspondence, reports, projects, and formal written results. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. (NOTE: A transcript or course listing must be submitted if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Applications submitted without this information will not be considered.). 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 master's degree. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: ComplianceCustomer Service (Clerical/Technical)Planning and EvaluatingProject ManagementTeaches 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. 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 Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Veronica Alvarado
• Phone: (415) 960-5758
• Email: [email protected]