Voluntary Services Specialist -Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee

Summary The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. Learn more about this agency Duties 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. As part of the VA's succession planning, the Technical Career Field (TCF) training program was created to ensure individuals are trained in critical areas that have current or predicted shortages. The program is nationally funded to include salary, benefits and training/travel dollars. At the time of acceptance into the TCF program, trainees will be asked to sign mobility, training, and service agreements. Relocation expenses for acceptance into the training program or for placement are not funded by the TCF program. Please keep in consideration, the training program is meant for those individuals who plan on staying with the VA a minimum of 3 years after completion of their training program. Selectees will be required to complete and sign the following paperwork; Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. Although not guaranteed, with more than 150 freestanding facilities and hundreds of clinic locations, we will strive to place trainees in positions that will work for their needs and the needs of the VA. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-9, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. You will ultimately acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-9. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds. DUTIES: Establish and operate a community based volunteer program. Coordinate referrals with administrative and/or clinical staff. Establish volunteer recognition activities. Provide support and guidance to clinical/and other staff members on the requirements of supervising volunteers. Create new and unique volunteer personnel assignments to meet the needs of the customer. Assist in the development, coordination, and management of an organization's voluntary services program. Operate a company/organizational vehicle/car as required, in the performance of required duties. Provide support for volunteer and donor activities for customers served. Provide support for community outreach efforts by providing volunteers and community involvement. Identify needs and develop a range of community resources to support programs with volunteers and donations. Generate a donation program to support various initiatives. Manage programs associated with volunteers to include, recruiting, interviewing, and evaluating prospective volunteers. Develop a screening and training program for volunteers. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Training-Service Agreement and Mobility Agreement required Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE GS-5 GRADE LEVEL: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Three years of general experience, one of which was equivalent to at least the next lower grade in federal service (GS-4). This experience is close to the work of this position and has given me the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of the position. Experience includes: developing relationships with management, volunteers, community service organizations, and staff; acting as an assistant representative in volunteer program meetings and functions; assisting in planning and executing a variety of special events; and assisting in recruitment and placement of volunteers. ~OR~ EDUCATION: Successful completion completed 4 years of education above high school in any field for which high school graduation (or the equivalent) is the normal prerequisite. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school. (COPY OF OFFICIAL/UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) ~OR~ COMBINATION: Equivalent combinations of experience and education as described to meet the total requirements of the position. Transcript required and your resume must describe your experience. (COPY OF OFFICIAL/UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE GS-7 GRADE LEVEL: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of specialized equivalent to at least the next lower grade in federal service (GS-5). This experience is close to the work of this position and has given me the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the duties of this position. Specialized experience includes: assisting in managing a volunteer program to include recruitment and placement of volunteers; overseeing a gifts and donation program, coordinating special events; performing personnel and resource management; performing technical program development, management and evaluation; and record keeping and recognition of a volunteer program. ~OR~ EDUCATION: Successful completion of one full year of graduate level education that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. (COPY OF OFFICIAL/UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) ~OR~ COMBINATION: Equivalent combinations of experience and education as described to meet the total requirements of the position. Transcript required and your resume must describe your experience. . (COPY OF OFFICIAL/UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED) You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Attention to DetailDecision MakingFlexibilityIntegrity/HonestyInterpersonal SkillsReading ComprehensionReasoningSelf-ManagementStress Tolerance IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. 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. 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; religious; 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. 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/. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional information Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Note: Per "Executive Order 14251: Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs", this position is no longer eligible for bargaining unit participation. Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.