Program Specialist-Assistant Fisher House Manager

Full Job Description

Serves as the John L.

McClellan VA Medical Center Assistant Fisher House Manager (AFHM) and is responsible for on-site management, planning, operation, and administrative coordination of the multi-phased lodging program.

The Fisher House is used by families of Veterans or active-duty military personnel who are receiving care at the VAMC.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/30/2026.

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: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Experience interpreting and applying policies and laws regarding programs, onboarding process, human resources, and/or records management; using analytical and evaluative methods to improve the efficiency and/or effectiveness of program operations; Experience using Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook, Word, Power Point, Excel, Access and SharePoint; managing budget and/or fund control points.

Experience communicating orally and in writing ideas, concepts, facility policies and special programs to volunteers, community members and service organizations.

OR, Education: Successfully completed three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D.

degree, or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in the related field of the position to be filled.

The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position.

Education must have been obtained in an accredited college, or university. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level.

You must have a combination of specialized experience as described above and graduate education as described above beyond the first two graduate years or 36 semester hours.

NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. 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 Analytical Reasoning Interpersonal Skills Computer Skills Organizational Awareness 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: No special physical demands are required for this job. Average physical ability, dexterity, and strength are needed for this position.

This includes preparation for programs, moving/lifting of equipment (100 cup coffee pot, boxes of donated items, up to 40 pounds etc.).

Although some of the work is sedentary, the employee will be walking, standing, bending, climbing stairs, and carrying some light items, as well as driving an automobile for the purpose of transporting Veterans and guests and delivering materiel to and from the VAMC.

Trips into the community to attend meetings in support of Fisher House will be required.

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:

Oversee, monitor, and coordinate the lodging program consisting of the Fisher House and offsite lodging. Serves as Contract Office Representative (COR) for all contracts relating to the Fisher House.

Manages Fisher House operations and assures that the needs of Fisher House guests are met, including Orienting guests to the Fisher House and its programs.

Providing resolution to guests' complaints and concerns about the Fisher House. Making appropriate referrals to social workers to assist with psychosocial needs.

Prepares donation wish lists, for both cash and non-cash contributions. Works with Voluntary Service on solicitation of donations.

Assists with the development of standard operating procedures concerning liaison activities between the VHA facility and the Fisher House program within the framework of existing regulations and policy.

Develops operating procedures related to facility maintenance/repairs and prepares and submits work requests.

Maintains effective working relationships with community organizations and promotes good relations between the VA and the community.

Regularly assesses the resource needs of the facility's Fisher House. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Varies, Sunday - Saturday, 24/7 (subject to change based on the needs of the facility).

Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist-Assistant Fisher House Manager/PD04835A Telework: Available per Supervisors discretion Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized