Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to Status candidates.

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The purpose of this position is to perform therapeutic recreational activities for all Veterans in the assigned inpatient unit. The Recreation Therapy Program is designed to provide an opportunity for all Veterans throughout the Acute Psychiatry Inpatient Unit to participate in constructive therapeutic and leisure experiences both on medical prescriptions and on non-prescribed basis. In the accomplishment of duties, program consideration must be given to Veterans' leisure needs, interests, capabilities, availability of accessible facilities, and recommendations made to the Recreation Therapists.

Program Administration (45%)

• Effectively plans and conducts a diversified recreation program to meet the needs and interests of Veterans in assigned section. Programs consist of recreational activities in music, arts and crafts, hobbies, socials, and community re-entry programs.
• Provides on-going, controlled, and well-monitored group and individual recreational environment which reinforces or redirects skills and interests, encourages positive efforts on the part of each patient toward alleviating or coping with physical and/or emotional challenges, adopting new interests, acquiring new skills, and recognizing and accepting the realities of specific physical and/or emotional needs.
• Assists with implementing a variety of recreation programs and leisure experiences for individual Veterans and groups of Veterans.
• Effectively assess the program results for prescribed Veterans and make the necessary changes to continually meet the physical and mental needs of the Veterans assigned.
• Recreation activities are planned to maintain the Veterans interests and capabilities. This includes the development of new programs and evaluation of present programs to justify their effectiveness in expanding the Veterans' leisure opportunities.
• Participates and adapts to rapid changes in schedule, programs, and staffing. This may mean change of hours or tours of duty to accommodate the program or arranging with a staff member to provide appropriate coverage.

Communications and Relationships (45%)

• Keep Veterans aware of upcoming activities and special events through bulletin boards on Veterans' wards, Veteran newsletters, posters, flyers, etc. Documents on-going evaluations of the effectiveness of recreational activities in terms of the objectives for the individual Veteran.
• Maintains frequent interaction with personnel and Veterans to initiate and motivate interest in recreation programs, evaluate continual effectiveness, and to maintain constant communication of any changes or adaptations that are necessary to meet the physical and mental expectations of the Veteran population.
• Provides information to Veterans and other medical center staff concerning dates, times, locations, and types of activities available to assure maximum utilization of facilities and resources in a timely, courteous, and technically correct manner.
• Interacts with individuals and groups with different backgrounds, goals, and interests in a manner to promote effective interpersonal relationships, minimize and resolve program difficulties and complaints, and promote positive public relations.
• Communicates both verbally and in writing in a manner which reflects positively upon the service and the Medical Center. Promotes a positive and constructive work environment.
• Meets with treatment team members to discuss program effectiveness. Solicits input from team members concerning Veteran appropriateness for programs, suggestions for programming, and Veteran's response to recreation activities.

Other Significant Responsibilities (10%)

• Maintain adequate Veteran attendance records and other facts and figures as required.
• Attends and provides in-service training meetings and participates interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Recreation activities are conducted using appropriate motivational and leadership techniques with Veterans.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Compressed Tour. Weekends required.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Recreation Assistant/PD029650
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• 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 or 2-year trial 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 or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/20/2025.

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-06 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 as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 level 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 as a Group leader, counselor, or similar work in public and private recreation programs for adults or children such as summer camps, local playgrounds, YWCA and YMCA clubs, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, urban community centers, or resort recreational activities. Teacher's aide in elementary school recreation or physical education program, with emphasis on development of general recreational skills and abilities. Aid or assistant assignments in recreation while on active military service. Aid or assistant in the organization and administration of recreation activities, such as preparing activities calendars, maintaining attendance records, and providing information concerning schedules and activities. Summer aid in a State or national park, with duties related to the recreational activities of visitors to campsites, trails, picnic areas, nature and raft centers, and boating and fishing areas (e.g., demonstrating camping techniques and park safety, conducting nature tours, and overseeing farm animal areas provided for children). Sales or stock clerk in a recreation supplies and equipment shop. Aid or assistant in the issuance of authorized property, and in the maintenance of inventory control and accountability for such property in a recreation facility. Aid or assistant in a hotel or resort recreation service, with duties such as setting up areas for games, tournaments, and other organized group recreational activities.

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

• Administration and Management
• Communications
• Customer Service
• Teamwork
• Technical Competence

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: Occasional duties require lifting, carrying 50+ pounds, sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, kneeling, bending, stooping, twisting, pulling/pushing, simple grasping, reaching above shoulder. Conditions during inspections and drills may also include heat, cold, excess humidity, work with chemicals, dust, noise, driving a vehicle, and fire manipulation.

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/.

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.

Narrative responses are not required at this time. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Your resume and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document.

Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.