Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open ONLY to current, permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Veterans Affairs (VA) CTAP eligible.

Major Duties:

Incumbent assists in planning, designing and executing a program to inform, train and educate general and specific audiences about and how to conduct C&P examinations. Identifies MDE vendor training needs as they specifically relate to C&P examinations through review and analysis of quality review findings, surveys, focus groups, and similar tools. Incumbent analyzes the results of these assessments and findings and serves as subject matter expert (SME) to develop education and training modules, including web based and face to face learning programs and opportunities for improvement based on the identified training needs of vendor examiners. (25%)

Utilizes expertise in C&P examination requirements to develop and/or update education and training programs and activities in collaboration with other divisions and entities both within and outside VA. Analyzes VBA wide claims policy and/or operations, newly enacted legislation or court decisions, or resolution of major operational problems toward developing training products. Conducts technical research and provides technical advice and support to the Senior Program Analyst for Training, Quality Assurance Officer and Director in support of attaining goals and objectives for the overall program. Recommends innovative programs, new approaches, and technology that improve the training effectiveness. Incumbent considers
training objectives, program needs and associated costs, VA priorities, and the availability of subject matter experts in formulating recommendations. Is responsible for the maintenance and updates of a national vendor training materials. (25%)

Is responsible for publishing trainings in the national vendor learning management system and providing maintenance and updates to individual accounts. Develops training brochures and applications for course accreditation and ensures training rosters are accurate for providing continuing education credit for clinical examiners. Provides status reports on the progress of the training-related initiatives and establishes goals and tracks the progress of those efforts toward meeting established milestones. (20%)

Coordinates, schedules, facilitates, presents and supports training delivery to internal and external audiences of various backgrounds both in-person and virtually. Participates in methodical national in-person and remote audits and site visits, if needed, which include review, examination, and verification of records to assess compliance with contractual training program requirements. Incumbent possess the ability to work effectively and
independently with various levels of administrative and clinical managers throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs and with representatives from various vendor Health Organizations, and the general public with respect to diverse populations and cultures. (15%)

Works with senior employees and managers to coordinate and negotiate intricacies of examiner training that significantly impacts service to Veterans and determines the best course of action to address identified training needs and to incorporate new initiatives, technology and software developments to performance in the C&P process at the field level. Responds to inquiries related to training issues requiring specific knowledge of training programs and systems as they relate to C&P examination training curriculum, training events, and contractual requirements. Provides status reports on the progress of the training-related initiatives and establishes goals and tracks the progress of those efforts toward meeting established milestones. Facilitates communication with internal/external stakeholders. As various programs and initiatives are developed, introduced and implemented the incumbent plans, initiates and implements a comprehensive campaign to enhance and advance their execution by communicating with specialized groups within and outside the organization. The incumbent may also be called upon to participate in projects, work groups, task forces, etc., unrelated to the area of training and involve other staffs and/or business lines, both within and outside of Compensation Service, VBA, or the department. Performs other duties as assigned. (15%)

Performs other duties, as assigned.

Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Compressed/Flexible: May be available
Telework: May be available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#:Program Analyst (Training Analyst)/PD39064A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/16/2020.

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-13 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-12. 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. To support your claim of time in grade, you must submit your most recent appointment, promotion, or within grade increase SF-50 (not an award or general adjustment SF-50). Some applicants may have to submit more than one SF-50 to demonstrate their eligibility. See the required documents section for more information.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-12 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position(s), and that is typically IN OR RELATED TO the work of the position to be filled. The applicant must document knowledge of training methods, techniques, and tools to design and develop training courses and materials, evaluate training programs and develop new methods, establish and evaluate criteria and resolve a variety of problems.


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: Requires walking, standing, and visiting office and activities at various locations.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Knowledge of the procedures, functions, responsibilities and authorities that interact in the administration and implementation of the disability examinations as related to the compensation and pension benefits program.
• Knowledge of a wide range of training methods, techniques, and tools, to include knowledge of educational developments to design and develop training courses and materials, evaluate training programs, and develop new methods, establish and/or apply evaluation criteria, and resolve a variety of problems.
• Expert ability to research and analyze complex issues and to formulate and present information in a clear and concise manner based on such research.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively, orally and in writing, to various groups or individuals on a wide range of subjects pertaining to VA issues.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple assignments concurrently and to execute delivery efficiently and effectively.
• Skill in responding to challenges or criticisms of a professional or political nature, in logically and persuasively addressing concerns, in establishing and maintaining professional credibility, and in gaining the understanding and support of those challenging program policies or professional opinions.