Housing Management Assistant (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, 04/03/2026.

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.

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: Specialized Experience: You mush have one (1) 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: Knowledge of Federal and VHA and National Fisher House policies, regulations, practices, and procedures related to management planning, budgeting, scheduling, and coordinating operation and utilization of assets.

Skilled in communication, conflict resolution, and interpersonal relations, including ability to appropriately and courteously relate to caregivers, guests, staff, volunteers, community stakeholders and service organizations.

Assist in developing and implementing operational policies. Conducting audits and inspections, determining corrective actions, and coordinating repairs, maintenance, or renovation activities.

Maintain confidentiality of patient, guest and employee protected information.

Knowledge of the VA Computerized record systems, Microsoft Office products, and graphics applications, to input and extract data, generate and analyze reports, develop presentation materials, bookkeeping/accounting, and create and manage filing systems.

Know how to work and function in a medical center in a safe manner, including infection control and 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 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.

or J.D., if related.. -OR- Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have an equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience, as described above to meet the minimum requirements for this grade level.

The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the Assistant Housing Manager.

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 Assistant Managerial Responsibilities: 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 with development of procedures and instructions concerning Fisher House, or other off site lodging resources, referral activities.

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 the VA Center for Development & Civic Engagement (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.

Document facts of 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 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. Plan 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.

Operates government vehicles, to include golf carts, passenger cars and vans. Travel is generally local and includes transporting Fisher House guests. Coordinates process improvement projects.

Customer Service: Solicits, analyzes, and reports feedback from patients, guests, and families regarding their experience with Fisher House lodging.

Assists Housing Manager develop guest experience instruments. Assist in coordination and maintaining overflow lodging data.

Performs other related or delegated duties as assigned by the Fisher House Manager. Driver's License Requirement: A current valid state-issued driver's license is required.

Note: We cannot accept photographs. Therefore, please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm; with some nights and weekends as needed for event coverage. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Housing Management Assistant (Fisher House)/PD12131A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized