Voluntary Services Specialist

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/27/2026. 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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. 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.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-7 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 level 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 basic principles, practices, concepts, and methods used in Voluntary Service management.

Knowledge of the mission, vision, and goals of CDCE/Voluntary Service and its function within the medical center including knowledge of Veteran Service Organization's role to the CDCE/VAVS program. Ability to apply this knowledge in communicating with the community and potential volunteers to engage their interest in volunteering to support Veterans' programs and services.

Knowledge of records management, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, Voluntary Services System (VSS) and any related or subsequent databases or programs, and VATAS and any subsequent employee timekeeping databases or programs. 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. Must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED.

GS-9 Specialized Experience: Specialized Experience: Must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level which provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of a Voluntary Services Specialist. Specialized experience includes but is not limited to: Knowledge of the principles, practices, concepts, and methods used in Voluntary Service management.

Publicizing a voluntary program, including interviewing, scheduling, placement and evaluation of new volunteers. Developing and maintaining working relationships, and prepare and write reports and analyses. Coordinating, evaluating and reporting on the effectiveness of a program's activities. Implementing program planning and supervisory techniques in order to direct, plan, and evaluate volunteer work operations and programs.

OR EDUCATION: Must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree; or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Must have equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience.

Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED. GS-11 Specialized Experience: You must possess at least one year of specialized experience at the GS 9 level, that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to Knowledge of VA mission, vision, values, strategic goals and priorities, VHA programs and services, and healthcare system-specific programs to identify how community resources may improve patient outcomes and increase effective and efficient operations. Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, concepts, and methods used in volunteer management with the ability to apply this knowledge in a wide range of situations.

Must have the ability to implement methods, techniques, and policies in highly unusual programs and circumstances. Ability to conduct a needs assessment to identify the most effective use of community assets and resources to fill critical gaps and or address the most pressing needs of the healthcare system or VA-affiliated program. OR EDUCATION: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

Must possess three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. (Transcripts Required) OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond completion of undergraduate level work.

Education must be related to the position. (Transcripts Required) You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Attention to Detail Communications Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Managing Human Resources Organizational Stewardship Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork 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/.

Major Duties: the incumbent has a knowledge of the basic principles, practices, concepts, and methods used in Voluntary Service management. Knowledge of the mission, vision, and goals of CDCE/Voluntary Service and its function within the medical center including knowledge of Veteran Service Organization's role to the CDCE/VAVS program. Ability to apply this knowledge in communicating with the community and potential volunteers to engage their interest in volunteering to support Veterans' programs and services.

Knowledge of records management, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, Voluntary Services System (VSS) and any related or subsequent databases or programs, and VATAS and any subsequent employee timekeeping databases or programs. the incumbent will perform the duties outlined in the target grade position description but will not be expected to have the extensive knowledge of complex pertinent laws, regulations, policies and precedents that the FPL Factor 1 requires.

Work will be reviewed during and after completion to evaluate adequacy of methods, procedures, and results; ability to apply skills and knowledge to routine and non-routine assignment; and adherence to basic policy and instructions. As satisfactory progress is made in those aspects of the work for which the incumbent receives guidance and training, supervisory controls will be lessened in line with the incumbents proven knowledge, skills, and abilities.

The incumbent assists in all aspects of the development, coordination, and management of the Center of Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Office and is responsible for independent management of specific programs or portions of larger programs. This includes, but is not limited to, planning, establishing and implementing policy, developing program goals and objectives, managing, evaluating, and coordinating (internal and external resources of assigned areas).

The mission of the VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement (CDCE) is to strategically integrate volunteers, donations, and community partners into VA operations to supplement and sustain the care and services provided to Veterans, their families, and caregivers. This position also is a government purchase card holder. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:00am - 3:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Voluntary Services Specialist/PD99853S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Preferred Experience: experience as volunteer and/or working with volunteers, experience with computerized programming, experience with scheduling (programs, patients, trips), experience with budget/fiscal functions of program and/or purchase card, experience coordinating events/programs.

Physical Requirements

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.