The Conference Manager (CM) assures that all events are planned and executed efficiently, economically and within Federal, DVA, VHA, and ILEAD guidelines. They utilize a working knowledge of the principles, concepts and methodology of VA conference planning and approval procedures, regulations and requirements to develop and process conference packages.

Duties

This announcement is only open to current, permanent VHA Human Capital Management (HCM) employees, including, Institute for Learning, Education and Development (ILEAD), National Center for Organizational Development (NCOD) and Workforce Management and Consulting (WMC), Station 131, and CTAP (Career Transition Assistance Plan for surplus/displaced employees) eligible employees. All other candidates will not receive consideration. The major duties of this position include but are not limited to: Coordinates and consults with the client, using substantive knowledge of conference/event planning, educational design and development, and administrative laws, rules, and regulations to obtain and clarify information required to obtain approval of the Conference Package (CP). Once client has agreed to CP details and signed the CP, CM conducts a quality review, ensures all required signatures have been obtained, and sends to the CM Supervisor for final quality review and entering of the CP in the routing process for approval. Monitors the progress of the CP through the approval process, which may require contacts and negotiation up to and including the Office of the Secretary. Updates data systems related to processing of CPs and performs required data review and data validation. Conducts training for stakeholders, using extensive knowledge of VA and ILEAD administrative procedures, the principles of program design, curriculum design, contracting, and the management of negotiations in order to help stakeholders achieve an outcome which is satisfactory to clients, educationally sound, and within VA and ILEAD policy guidelines. Promotion Potential: This position involves a multi-grade career ladder. The major duties listed above represent the full performance level of GS-11. At the GS-7 and GS-9 grade levels, 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 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 8am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: May be available Telework: This position is authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual/Remote: This is NOT a virtual or remote position. You must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location. Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist- Conference Manager/PD02197A, PD02198A, and PD02199A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/30/2024. 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. 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. To qualify at the GS-7: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least a GS-05 for this occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Designing, developing and implementing conferences and meetings at national levels; Coordinating and consulting with the client, using substantive knowledge of conference/event planning, educational design and development, and administrative laws, rules, and regulations to obtain information required to obtain approval of the Conference Package. Ensuring all administrative requirements related to conference management package development requirements are met in order to produce delivery of event management services to the client. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must possess 1 full year of graduate level education or Superior Academic Achievement (SSA) as an undergraduate. (TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED) SAA is based on: Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, based on completed courses Grade-point average (G.P.A.) -- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field. Honor Society Membership -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies listed. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education of a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree related to the work. To qualify at the GS-9: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least a GS-07 for this occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Designing, developing and implementing conferences and meetings at national levels; Coordinating and consulting with the client, using substantive knowledge of conference/event planning, educational design and development, and administrative laws, rules, and regulations to obtain information required to obtain approval of the Conference Package. Ensuring all administrative requirements related to conference management package development requirements are met in order to produce delivery of event management services to the client. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must possess a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. (TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education of 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement as an undergraduate related to the work. To qualify at the GS-11: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least a GS-09 for this occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Designing, developing and implementing conferences and meetings at national levels; Coordinating and consulting with the client, using substantive knowledge of conference/event planning, educational design and development, and administrative laws, rules, and regulations to obtain and clarify information required to obtain approval of the Conference Package. Ensuring all administrative requirements related to conference management package development requirements are met in order to produce delivery of event management services to the client. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. (TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience and education of a 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 to the work. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Technical Competence- Works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues. Communication- Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information; makes clear and convincing presentations. Influencing/Negotiating- Develops networks and coalitions; gains cooperation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals; negotiates to find mutually acceptable solutions; builds consensus through give and take. Organizational Awareness- Knows the organization's mission and functions, and how its social, political and technological systems work and operates effectively within them. 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; 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 performed while sitting at a desk, at conferences, briefings, in classrooms etc. The work is primarily sedentary but may require prolonged standing in front of groups. Must work multiple projects simultaneously and handle occasional high levels of stress and conflicting priorities. Work also involves travel up to three times per quarter; and may include prolonged standing, walking, and transport of instructional supplies and/or equipment in excess of 30 lbs. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address VHA Central Office - Human Capital Management 810 Vermont Avenue NW Washington, DC 20420 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]