Voluntary Services Specialist

Full Job Description

The Voluntary Service Specialist works jointly with the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Chief, CDCE Assistant Chief, and Public Affairs Operations in recruitment, orientation, placement and evaluation of volunteers assigned to the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) and includes all Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).

The incumbent works with the chief in carrying out his/her responsibilities or the planning and execution of the overall CDCE program.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/12/2026.

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. 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.

GS-07: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Voluntary Services Specialist.

Qualifying specialized experience includes 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.

(2) 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-09: Specialized Experience: 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 me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Voluntary Services Specialist.

Qualifying specialized experience 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: You must have one year of specialized experience 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. The Full Performance level for this position is a GS-11.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Communications Managing Human Resources Organizational Stewardship Preferred Experience: Experience as volunteer manager, special event planner and coordinator, and purchase card holder.

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 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.

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 work of the position requires the incumbent to participate jointly with the CDCE Chief and Assistant CDCE Chief in planning, directing, controlling, coordinating, operating and evaluating the total volunteer management function for the SAVAHCS's approximately 300 volunteers.

The duties of the position typically include but are not limited to: The incumbent independently makes daily referrals of qualified volunteers to utilizing services.

Assists the chief in developing goals and objectives, quality assurance initiatives, narrative reviews, management briefings, and other reports requested by top management as it pertains to the operation of CDCE.

The incumbent is responsible for interviewing, scheduling, placement, and evaluation of volunteers.

Incumbent will present monthly volunteer information sessions and attend recruitment activities as necessary.

Assists 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.

Assists the CDCE/Voluntary Services 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.

Proactively role in meeting the needs of the facility or other VA affiliated program in establishing a vital link with the community.

Serves as the first-line supervisor and coordinator for specific volunteer programs which typically include a variety of diverse assignments.

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

Coordination of events includes, but is not limited to, assisting with budget development, contracting, procurement, logistics, planning, personnel, public relations, engagement and development of public/private partnerships.

Makes purchases with government purchase card to support Veterans programs and activities.

Coordinates summer youth program with internal SAVAHCS departments to provide a variety of opportunities for youth volunteers.

Ensures volunteer compliance with all new and recurring training 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.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Voluntary Services Specialist/PD11515O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required