Assistant Housing Manager (Fisher House)

Full Job Description

This position is organizationally aligned within the Fisher House under the Office of the Director at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital (578), Hines, IL - a complexity level 1a VHA facility.

The Fisher House Program provides temporary accommodations and support for accompanying individuals who provide familial or equivalent support to Veterans and active-duty Service members receiving treatment at the Hines VA Hospital.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/13/2026.

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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-9 Grade 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: Communication and interpersonal relations, including the ability to appropriately and courteously relate to internal and external customers.

Maintenance of confidentiality of patient/employee information, electronic and print and knowledge of the VA Computerized record system (CPRS, EHR, VISTA) Knowledge of Microsoft Office products (such as outlook, teams, word, excel) word processing, spreadsheet applications, graphics to develop presentation materials, bookkeeping/accounting series and applications, and the creation and management of filing systems.

How to work and function in the medical center in a safe manner, including infection control and the correct operation of equipment.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience.

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 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 OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an combination of specialized experience and higher level graduate education as stated above.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning 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.

Physical Requirements: The duties and responsibilities of the position require mobility between various floors and rooms within the Fisher Houses and various other buildings at the medical facility campus and off-campus locations.

Average physical ability, dexterity, and strength are needed for this position. This includes preparation for open houses and special programs.

Although some of the work is sedentary, the employee will be walking, standing, bending, climbing stairs, and carrying some light items (under 50 pounds) such as moving/lifting of equipment, carrying boxes of donated items.

Work may also involve driving a government vehicle and/or golf cart for the purpose of transporting Fisher House guests and delivering materials to and from the medical facility.

Trips into the community to pick up supplies and/or attend meetings in support of Fisher House will be required.

The employee must be able to complete the tasks for receiving, transporting supplies, and conducting meetings in the community.

Work Environment: Work is typically performed in an adequately lighted and climate controlled office, classroom or facility.

The Assistant Housing Manager may be required to travel to CBOCs or into the community for donations.

The work environment involves everyday risks which require normal safety precautions associated with offices, meeting rooms, commercial vehicles, etc.

The work area is usually adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

Since occasional travel will be involved, the exposure to everyday risks and discomforts of automobile, bus, rail, and air transportation may be encountered.

The Assistant Manager may be required to travel to conferences both locally and nationally.

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:

Fisher House Program Oversight: Participates in the development, establishment, and implementation of operational policies related to the eligibility, admission, length of stay, behavior standards for guests, cleanliness, and reports operational status of the Fisher House to local and National leadership in the absence of the Housing Manager.

Identifies deficiencies with the structure, equipment, appliances, and furnishings in collaboration with VA medical facility subject matter experts during the annual maintenance assessment.

Monitors contractor performance and collaborates with the VA medical facility Contracting Office to ensure adherence to established contract expectations.

Assists development of procedures and instructions concerning Fisher House, or other off site lodging resources, referral activities.

Oversees Ensures the Fisher House Program adheres to health safety, privacy, and sanitation rules and regulations.

Monitors cleanliness and safety of the facility through daily observation of communal living areas and as directed, guest room checks as needed.

Participates in the financial management of the Fisher House Program which requires knowledge and understanding of appropriated and non-appropriated accounts Trains volunteers, students/trainees on roles and responsibilities, customer service, fire and safety guidelines, disaster preparedness and other orientation information as required by CDCE.

Diplomatically manages guests who do not adhere to lodging expectations which may involve VA Police for immediate removal of the Fisher House guest, to contain disruptive behavior.

Documents the facts of the guests' behavior, staff, and VA Police action, for possible future inquiries and when reviewing lodging requests.

Liaison and Communication: Interacts with collaborators, such as patients, guests, clinical providers, military liaisons, volunteers, community supporters, medical facility leadership, VA National Fisher House Program Manager, Fisher House Foundation personnel, Congressional staff and the general public while remaining conscious of multiple cultures, abilities, and generations.

Manages Fisher House operations and meets Fisher House guest needs. Orients guests to the Fisher House program and services. Plans guest activities and events.

Resolves Fisher House guest complaints and concerns. Refers guests and patients to social workers to address psychosocial needs.

Accurately response to Fisher House policy and procedure inquiries from the community, guests, patients, military liaisons, and clinical staff.

Drafts Fisher House correspondence for maintenance and operations, manuals, publications, articles, webpage updates, etc. for Housing Manager consideration.

Extracts, summarizes, and compiles information; develops hard-copy and computer based brochures and reports to promote program awareness among Veterans, their families, and the general population.

On a recurring basis, solicits, analyzes, and reports feedback from patients, guests, and families regarding their experience with Fisher House lodging.

Assists Housing Manager develop guest experience instruments.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm; with some night and weekends needed for event coverage Telework: Not Suitable Virtual: This is not a virtual position Position Description/PD#: Assistant Housing Manager (Fisher House)/PD252790 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized