This position serves as the Voluntary Service Specialist of the facility's Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE)/Voluntary Service office reporting directly to the Chief at the VA Maine Healthcare System in Augusta, ME.

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed below represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-09 grade level, you will perform assignments of a more limited scope and with less independence. You will progressively acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. The Voluntary Service Specialist has responsibilities related to the full scope of business for each of the interrelated lines of business, which include Voluntary Service, Philanthropic Engagement, and Partnership Solutions. Due to the cross-cutting nature of this office, the person in the position shows a comprehensive understanding of the federal government, VA and each of its Administrations, with a primary focus on Veterans Health Administration (VHA); to include the relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures, accrediting organizations, as well as the organizations within the agency to facilitate a systems-oriented approach to the Center 's success. The major duties include but are not limited to: Assists in all aspects of the development, coordination, and management of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Office and is responsible for independent management of specific programs or portions of larger programs; Assists the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer in developing short and long-range plans for the accomplishment of CDCE/Voluntary Service program goals and objectives; develops and implements programs and program changes to meet the facilities' or other VA-affiliated program's needs; Assists the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer in developing innovative/creative community outreach programs that provide volunteers and financial resources; Develops and fosters a robust network with internal and external stakeholders to build resilient working coalitions in support of the VA mission; Develops and delivers presentations to diverse groups within the facility and at off-site locations within the community; Interviews, schedules, places, and evaluates volunteers; Conducts appropriate follow up activities to ensure both adequate supervision and assignment training are provided; Resolves issues as they arise and consults with the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer if policies or procedures require review and/or revision; Prepares all volunteer personnel files in accordance with The Joint Commission and standards for VHA volunteers; Consults with services across the health care system, agency representatives (including VHA, Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), and National Cemetery Administration (NCA)), and community officials to publicize, analyze, and recommends improvements for programs; Conducts fact-findings and analysis to recommend potential community partnerships that support and extend the mission of the facility or other affiliated VA programs across Administrations within the catchment area; Coordinates and manages all monetary and in-kind donations; Manages the day-to-day operations surrounding the organization's development activities and conducts and analyzes routine needs assessments to ensure alignment with the facility's strategic plan; Develops tax deductibility documentation for all donations received; Provides education and training to staff on the proper use of donation expenditures, restricted purchases, and procurement requirements; Plans and executes a variety of complex internal and external special events, including Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN)-wide and national events where the local facility is a key host or sponsor, or responsible for securing major monetary, or in-kind donations and volunteer support; and, Performs all other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm. Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Telework (Ad hoc): 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 ad hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position at the GS-9 level, you must meet one of the following: Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service that has given you the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of a Voluntary Services Specialist, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Qualifying specialized experience includes planning, supervising, and coordinating volunteers of a volunteer program; evaluating and monitoring the effectiveness of a specialized program and devising new methods for improvement; effectively recruiting, interviewing, and evaluating prospective employees/volunteers in order to appropriately utilize their talents and interests; utilizing interpersonal communication skills to foster effective working relationships with others; and familiar with a wide variety of principles and practices to evaluate program trends. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. ~OR~ Education: Successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B., J.D., if related, that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Voluntary Services Specialist position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~ Combination: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above, which may be used to meet total experience requirements for this grade level. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of the Voluntary Services Specialist position. NOTE: Transcripts (unofficial or official) must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATIONAL STEWARDSHIP MANAGING HUMAN RESOURCES COMMUNICATIONS IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. Physical Requirements and Work Environment: Work is moderately sedentary, although considerably variable. It requires a fair amount of standing, sometimes for long periods, walking, climbing stairs, and bending. Work may require some heavy to moderate lifting, transporting of materials, equipment and supplies for special events and other programs. Due to the diverse nature and scope of the work, it may require occasionally working in extreme temperatures (hot or cold). Driving or riding in a vehicle is also required on a routine basis to provide coverage, trainings, or other support at off-site clinics; attend outside community meetings; and support special events. Travel may also occur in support of outreach events and conferences. Must attend lengthy meetings both during and after regular scheduled work hours. Travel to other medical center facilities is also required. The work is primarily performed in an office setting; however, due to the nature of the work, significant travel throughout the community and sometimes the state and surrounding states is necessary to attend meetings, presentations, conferences that may include special activities such as volunteer recruitment and philanthropic engagement events. Coordination of and participation in meetings and volunteer supervision requires presence in various on-site and off-site locations where volunteers are strategically assigned to enhance the VA mission. Has access to the fax machine, computer, and other office equipment as needed. The CDCE/Voluntary Service office is a very busy environment with constant traffic from visitors, volunteers, community partners, patients, and hospital staff. 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

IMPORTANT: 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: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).

Contacts

• Address Togus VA Medical Center 1 VA Center Augusta, ME 04330 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]