Voluntary Services Specialist

Full Job Description

The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions.

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-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-05: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-04 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: basic practical knowledge of standard rules, procedures, or operations, requiring extended training and experience to perform the work consisting of interrelated or non-standard procedural assignments in the Service/Department program.

Basic knowledge of applicable laws and regulations governing fund accounts and gifts and donations that require extended training and experience to apply that knowledge in performing basic duties related to the General Post Fund accounts.

Basic knowledge of various current computer software packages to apply this information in a program/department/or service.

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

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).

OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond an associate degree.

(TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).

Specialized Experience-GS-07: 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: knowledge of the basic principles, practices, concepts, and methods used in Service/Department/Area management.

Basic knowledge of basic applicable laws and regulations governing fund accounts and gifts and donations that require extended training and experience to apply that knowledge in performing basic duties related to the General Post Fund accounts.

Knowledge of various current computer software packages to apply this information in the Voluntary Service program, or ability to learn this knowledge.

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

To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).

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

You must have an combination of specialized experience and education of a bachelors degree,(or expect to complete within 9 months) all the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

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/.

Physical requirements: The work is partly sedentary; however, it requires considerable walking throughout the facility, and may involve travel by a vehicle outside the medical facility during the day, as well as some evenings and weekends for the purpose of special programs or volunteer recruitment.

The work involves writing at a desk, sitting in conferences and meetings, standing, walking, bending, pushing a small cart, carrying light items, lifting moderate weighty items, and driving an automobile.

Major Duties:

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department.

The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries.

The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE"). That's why we created the Technical Career Field (TCF) Program - one of the largest training programs at VA.

TCF positions equip professionals (including veterans) with the specialized knowledge they need to support the delivery of quality health care for our Nation's veterans.

The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field.

Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor.

Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location.

*Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements.

This is a developmental position leading to a GS-09, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision.

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.

The duties and responsibilities of this position require that the incumbent be trained to work in all areas of Voluntary Service.

The incumbent provides support in overall integration of community-based volunteer participation in appropriate areas of medical care and administrative functions within the facility.

The Voluntary Service Specialist is primarily responsible for interviewing, scheduling, placement and evaluation of new volunteers.

This includes consulting with clinical and administrative staff to develop appropriate volunteer assignments; determining schedules; and conducting general orientation programs for new volunteers.

The incumbent will be responsible for conducting appropriate follow-up activities to assure both adequate supervision and on-the-job training are provided.

The Voluntary Service Specialist will provide overall supervision and coordinate specific volunteer programs which will include a variety and diverse assignments.

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 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: AD-HOC (Employees who telework on an occasional, episodic, or short-term basis, and have completed required telework training and telework agreement.) (Portion of day acceptable) Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Voluntary Services Specialist/PDS0005A, S0006A, S0007-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized