Voluntary Services Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is located at the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN-6), VA Clinic 3 in Fredericksburg, VA serving as the Voluntary Services Specialist of the facility's Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE)/Voluntary Service Office (VSO).

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/19/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who 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. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. 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: Driver's License: Must possess a current, valid state-issued driver's license for this position.

(Please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package.

You will be required to show your valid driver's license at the time of your interview.) GS-7 Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience that equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

To be creditable, specialized experience must have been 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 completed one (1) full year of graduate level education 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, Combination: Have 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.

GS-9 Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience that equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

To be creditable, specialized experience must have been 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: 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: Have successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or masters 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 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.

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

OR, Combination: Have 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.

GS-11 Specialized Experience: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience that equipped them with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.

To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-09) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Planning, evaluating, and coordinating the day-to-day activities of a volunteer program that includes various areas of needed coverage; using creative community outreach to secure volunteers and financial resources; and acceptance of gifts and donations and their acknowledgement and deposit into a general account fund or delivery to proper utilizing service.

OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.

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 a master's or equivalent graduate education.

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:

The facility Voluntary Service Specialist reports directly to the Chief, CDCE/VSO and has responsibilities related to the full scope of business for each of the interrelated lines of business, including Voluntary Service, Philanthropic Engagement, and Partnership Solutions.

The incumbent displays a comprehensive understanding of the federal government, VA, and each of its Administrations including the relevant laws, regulations, policies, procedures, accrediting bodies, and other organizations to facilitate a systems-oriented approach to success.

Duties include, but may not be limited to: Assists in all aspects of the development, coordination, and management of the CDCE Office and is responsible for independent management of specific programs or portions of larger programs.

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

Assists the CDCE/VSO in developing short and long-range plans for the accomplishment of program goals and objectives.

Develops and implements programs and program changes to meet the facility or other VA-affiliated program's needs.

Assists CDCE/VSO in developing innovative/creative community outreach programs that provide volunteers and financial resources.

Consults 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.

Motivates diverse groups of people, staff, volunteers, business and civic groups, services organization officials, etc. into working as a comprehensive and cooperative force that benefits patient care.

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

Develops and delivers presentations to diverse groups within the facility and at off-site locations within the community.

Responsible for interviewing, scheduling, placement, and evaluation of volunteers including but not limited to consulting with clinical and administrative staff to develop appropriate volunteer assignments based on individual aptitude and interest, creating position descriptions for each position, ensuring essential duties are clearly stated, managing personnel files, and conducting general orientation for new volunteers.

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

Conducts a system of internal reviews for quality assurance to ensure all programs operate at a high level of effectiveness and efficiency along with ensuring compliance with accrediting and regulatory agencies.

Plans, executes, and evaluates a variety of complex internal and external special events including but not limited to budget development, contracting, procurement, logistics, personnel, public relations, engagement, and development of public/private partnerships.

Manages sharing agreements to ensure they are updated per the terms of the agreement, and reflect current policies and procedures mandated by both local and national guidance.

Conducts 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.

Collects and reviews impact data to recommend appropriate modifications to agreements with community partnerships and resource groups for the benefit of Veterans and the health care system.

Develops recruitment materials geared at both volunteers and community partners.

Evaluates and implements best practice for optimal recruitment and resource support of the health care system operations or affiliate VA programs.

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

Participates in the development of local policies and procedures related to the General Post Fund (GPF) , acceptance of gifts and donations, and answers inquiries regarding them.

Accepts donations for the facility, directing each to where it is intended for use, rejecting inappropriate donations, and educating donors.

Executes financial components of the service strategic plan through donor communication, financial resource analysis and allocation, and procurement of goods and services to advance patient care.

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

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. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: PD99598S, PD99599S, and PD99853S