Training Specialist

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/16/2026. 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-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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: Individual Occupational Requirements: Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- education or a subject area related to the position to be filled.

OR, Experience: Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): 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. GS-11 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: 1) Preparing and delivering briefings, presentations, and/or technical papers. 2) Developing distance learning materials to meet training objectives and standards. 3) Using instructional technologies such as computer-based training, interactive courseware, or video tele-training in instructional programs.

1. Developing, creating and modifying course materials and training plans for specific audiences (i.e. various business lines and employee learning styles) based on instructional design principles. 5) Responsible for overall maintenance of assigned courses and determine the need for and initiate changes in course material with subject-matter expert or stakeholder. 6) Applying eLearning and training principles effectively in curriculum development.
2. Researching, evaluating, and applying instructional methodologies to training requirements. 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 in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. (NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts). 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 second year of graduate education where the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. (NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts).

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 include but are not limited to: Analyzes, designs, develops, plans, evaluates, tests and measures, and administers course materials using education and training, distant learning and interactive methods to create a cohesive and quality educational product. Researches and reviews emerging instructional methodologies to determine education and training requirements and develop education and training material to support internal and external distance learning and training objectives.

• Prepares, submits, documents, including story boarding, lesson outlines, training support packets and other related course management documents.
• Evaluates production requirement justifications, scripts, and sample materials for soundness of training objectives, approach to target audience, cost effectiveness and general quality.
• Reviews analyses (goal, topic, gap, resource, and target population), materials and programs developed for internal and interactive courses.

Serves as subject matter expert to maintain balance, distribution, and production of course curricula, eLearning/distant/virtual learning or interactive web-based training material and related projects assigned in accordance with established workflow or job specialization Collaborates with supervisor and stakeholders on work problems presented by course managers, training developers, and others. Develops, modifies and deploys computer assisted instruction.

Serves as an expert in the field of emerging eLearning and training models and interactive learning principles to support development of curricula, distance learning and interactive curriculum and looks for methods to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of training programs and courses. Conducts research, evaluates, develops, and prepares findings.

Prepares and conducts briefings, presentations and prepares technical and briefing papers on eLearning and training methods in and outside the classroom and knowledge management. Conducts analysis and makes recommendations in acquiring educational tools such as hardware, software, peripherals, and communications for approved development. Participates in testing, monitors and reviews the effectiveness of approved eLearning and training models and methods.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8 hour shift between 8:00am - 4:30pm Remote: This position is not authorized for Remote work. Telework: This position may be authorized for ad hoc telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Ad hoc is defined as occasional, non-recurring telework. Virtual: This position may be authorized for Virtual Work.

Virtual Work eligibility is for current VA employees that are already subject to the return to in person work mandate in their current position. Definition of Virtual Work: Employee works outside of original hiring duty station at a VA owned or leased space. Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in effect and selectees will be required to report to in person work unless they have an approved exception or an exemption.

Any approval for an RTO exception, exemption, or extension will happen after a tentative job offer, but before a final job offer. Location Negotiable: The "location negotiable" option applies to VA employees who are already assigned to a VA duty station. This option will be implemented in accordance with applicable VA policies, as well as current agency and Presidential guidance.

Position Description/PD#: Training Specialist/PD07694A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized