Program Specialist - Survivors Assistance and Memorial Support (SAMS)

Full Job Description

The position serves as a Program Specialist assigned to the Survivors Assistance and Memorial Support (SAMS) Program under the Chief of Social Work or Social Work Executive at the VA medical facility as a primary person responsible for the facility SAMS Program.

The Specialist focus is to provide personalized supportive services to families, caregivers and survivors at the end of a life and ensure Veterans without identified families receive dignified burials to honor their service.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/17/2026.

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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. 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 must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: providing administrative and technical support for the management of various programs; maintaining databases and utilizing various software programs; managing administrative activities; maintaining files of administration records, supplies, and equipment; managing computerized databases related to budget and financial information; analyze and measure the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of administrative programs; develops written and oral correspondence, schedule and maintain appointments, Prepare a variety of recurring reports, consolidate and coordinate submissions of information.

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

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Graduate level education or superior academic achievement directly related to the work of this position.

Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

OR, Combination: Combination of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience as described above, to meet the total experience requirements.

Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience.

This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Client Orientation Communication Manages and Organizes Information 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 work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required.

Routinely views the body and/ or remains of deceased Veterans at funeral homes using an authorized vehicle.

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:

Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Provide personalized , supportive services to families, caregivers and survivors at the end of a life and ensure veterans without identified families receives dignified burials to honor their service Partner with Medical staff to coordinate the facts and to determine whether or not it is a Medical Examiner's case Notify the authorities and the Northern Arizona VA Police and work with the Northern Arizona Police Department making available all necessary records and information.

Coordinate all details making certain the deceased is eligible for burial in a national cemetery.

Contact the cemetery for available space, works with Supply Services in obtaining a satisfactory contract with a local mortuary and assures sufficient funds are obligated.

Assure burial arrangements are in accordance with contractual agreement between the mortuary and the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System (NAVAHCS).

Utilize Social worker, Professional/Medical Staff and counsels the patient or next of kin of the patient concerning VA Death Benefits and/or pre-funeral arrangements.

Identify and explain benefits that pertain to the individual's circumstances.

Assist patient or next of kin concerning autopsies and donations of organs/tissues, assistance in properly completing arrangement forms.

Maintain a current registry of local mortuaries that will provide completes service for VA burial and travel allowances.

Prepare correspondence for the signature of the Medical Center Director and Chief, Health Administration Service.

Assures that all information pertaining to the Decedent Affairs functions are entered correctly. Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist - Survivors Assistance and Memorial Support (SAMS)/PD14860-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized