Voluntary Services Specialist

Full Job Description

The incumbent will serve in a developmental assignment to provide the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the full range of duties as described for the Voluntary Services Specialist, GS-0301-11.

The incumbent will perform the duties outlined in the target grade position description but will operate under closer supervision and will not be expected to demonstrate the same level of subject matter mastery.

All other factors remain the same. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/02/2026.

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 GS-7: 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: experience working for a company, organization, or department specializing in volunteer and/or philanthropic activities; communicating with individuals and groups in community; performing technical program development for a specialized program; performing record keeping and recognition of a volunteer and/or philanthropic program; and applying a high level of expertise in identifying special skills and attitudes necessary for sensitive assignments.

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

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

You must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond graduate level education or superior academic achievement.

if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application.

Education cannot be credited without documentation. Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): SAA at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying.

Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below.

To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following: Rank in the upper one-third of your class in college, university or major subdivision.

A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.

A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.

Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies.

For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp. For more information regarding SAA please visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp#e4f.

OR Combination: equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position.

Only education beyond a bachelor's degree may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-07 level.

NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

Specialized Experience GS-9: To qualify for this position at the GS-09 level, you must meet one of the following: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Voluntary Services Specialist.

Qualifying specialized experience includes planning, supervising, and coordinating volunteers of a volunteer program; evaluating and monitoring the effectiveness of a specialized program and devising new methods for improvement; effectively recruiting, interviewing, and evaluating prospective employees/volunteers in order to appropriately utilize their talents and interests; utilizing interpersonal communication skill to foster effective working relationships with others; and familiar with a wide variety of principles and practices to evaluate program trends.

OR Education: Successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B.

or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled.

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

NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR Combination: equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position.

Only education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level.

NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

Specialized Experience GS-11: To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level, you must meet one of the following: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Voluntary Services Specialist.

Qualifying specialized experience includes managing a program of volunteers and contributing organizations within a medical or hospital setting; development and implementation of a detailed marketing plan for a specialized program; managing a program service budget and managing a donation needs list of an organization; utilizes laws and regulations governing the General Post Fund and solicitation and acceptance of donated gifts; and understanding and applying personnel management practices for interviewing, screening, placing, and counseling purposes.

OR Education: successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M.

if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application.

Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR Major Duties:

Duties: The incumbent serves as the Voluntary Service Specialist of the facility's CDCE/Voluntary Service office reporting directly to the Chief.

The incumbent has responsibilities related to the full scope of business for each of the interrelated lines of business, which include Voluntary Service, Philanthropic Engagement, and Partnership Solutions.

Due to the cross-cutting nature of this office, the incumbent shows a comprehensive understanding of the federal government, VA and each of its Administrations, with a primary focus on VHA; to include the relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures, accrediting organizations, as well as the organizations within the agency to facilitate a systems-oriented approach to the Center 's success.

Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Assisting in all aspects of the development, coordination, and management of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Office and is responsible for independent management of specific programs or portions of larger programs.

Assisting the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer in developing short and long-range plans for the accomplishment of CDCE/Voluntary Service program goals and objectives; develops and implements programs and program changes to meet the facilities or other VA-affiliated program's needs.

Assisting the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer in developing innovative/creative community outreach programs that provide volunteers and financial resources.

Developing and fostering a robust network with internal and external stakeholders to build resilient working coalitions in support of the VA mission.

Developing and delivering presentations to diverse groups within the facility and at off-site locations within the community.

Responsible for interviewing, scheduling, placement, and evaluation of volunteers.

Responsible for conducting appropriate follow-up activities to ensure both adequate supervision and assignment training are provided.

Resolves issues as they arise and consults with the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer if policies or procedures require review and/or revision.

Preparing all volunteer personnel files in accordance with The Joint Commission and standards for VHA volunteers.

Consulting with services across the health care system, agency representatives (including VHA, VBA, and NCA), and community officials to publicize, analyze, and recommend improvements for programs.

Conduct fact-findings and analysis to recommend potential community partnerships that support and extend the mission of the facility or other affiliated VA programs across Administrations within the catchment area.

Responsible for the coordination and management of all monetary and in-kind donations.

Managing the day-to-day operations surrounding the organization's development activities and conducts and analyzing routine needs assessments to ensure alignment with the facility's strategic plan.

Developing tax deductibility documentation for all donations received.

Providing education and training to staff on the proper use of donation expenditures, restricted purchases and procurement requirements.

Plans and executes a variety of complex internal and external special events, including VISN-wide and national events where the local facility is a key host or sponsor, or responsible for securing major monetary or in-kind donations and volunteer support.

or responsible for securing major monetary or in-kind donations and volunteer support. Performs other duties as assigned.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met.

Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm. Weekends may be required on occasion.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Voluntary Services Specialist/PD99853S Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.

How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?