Clarification from the agency

Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligibles) and Special Hiring Authorities; current, permanent VA Employees may receive first consideration.

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The Cincinnati VA Medical Center is a two-division campus located in Cincinnati, Ohio and Fort Thomas, Kentucky serving 15 counties in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue, KY; Florence, KY; Lawrenceburg, IN; Hamilton, OH; Clermont County, OH, and Georgetown, OH. Cincinnati VAMC also supports two off main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division.

Major Duties GS 7:

• Gathers relevant information, analyzes pertinent data, develops findings, and makes recommendations that are largely modeled on precedents.
• Coordinates EMS training activities related to assignments and projects to develop and implement training courses or course materials. Maintains liaison with training program instructors and training specialists to obtain information for projects and activities. Coordinates training-related meetings and the gathering of information for specific analyses and tests.
• Develops comprehensive training courses and modalities on all aspects of healthcare environmental services. Maintains an updated library of training materials, educational curricula, and the Environmental Care procedure manual.
• Conducts literature-based research on emerging pathogens, technology, theories, infection control policies, and best practices to stay abreast of cutting-edge professional developments. Adapts this information in the maintenance of the curriculum. Updates coursework continuously to maintain pace with industry developments.
• Trains employees within EMS, and provides instruction, and modifies course content with an emphasis on biological cleanliness and infection control. Serves as a participant in the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) Program collaborating and working with others, such as Nursing Assistants throughout the hospital and clinics on activities related to environmental sanitation.
• Other related duties as assigned

Major Duties GS 9:

• Serves as a Training Specialist providing on-going training service and instruction for EMS's Training Program. Performs regular assignments related to training course development, delivery, modification, and evaluation. Conducts various training-related studies and analysis and coordination activities.
• Evaluates relevant research findings and incorporate them into EMS-related educational initiatives in a manner that promotes the use of evidence-based practices.
• Work will be performed in areas of instruction for multiple types of classes that are focused on facility needs for training and education, such as leadership, New Employee Orientation (NEO), standard operating procedures (SOP), Talent Management System (TMS), etc.
• Validates overall training effectiveness and quality assurance. Completes Environmental Management quality assurance studies to monitor employee competency and monitors completed and deficient training and educational comprehension reviews. Investigates and analyzes adverse quality trends or conditions and recommends corrective action to prevent errors and eliminate ineffective work practices.
• Makes necessary modifications to training courses and recommends modifications for well-established programs. Obtains and adapts as needed, instructional materials as needed.
• Identifies and recommends to EMS management core knowledge requirements for sanitation and waste management policy and procedures.
• Other related duties as assigned

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level, GS-9, 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: Full-time; hours may vary, tour will be discussed during interview process
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Training Specialist - Environmental Management Service/PD920180 and PD920270
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Physical Requirements: The work is primary sedentary. The employee normally performs the work in an office environment, however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items (up to 50 pounds) such as papers, books, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.
Work Environment:The environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, libraries, residences, or commercial vehicles, e.g., use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The incumbent may be exposed to other environmental settings while performing inspections, attending meetings or inspecting work.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT: A driver's license in the State or Territory in which assigned is required. Candidates must pass a Federal service driving test and/or complete any related requirements.
• 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 may 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, 02/02/2026.

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-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. 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:

Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) for Training Specialist Series (1712): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series, and cannot be waived. Education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.

Education:
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- education or a subject area related to the position to be filled.

OR

Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience that demonstrated a practical knowledge of the subject area of the position and of the methods and techniques of instruction. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• Teaching or instructing in an adult education program, secondary school, college, military installation, or industrial establishment in the appropriate field(s).
• Supervising or administering a training program.
• Development or review of training/course materials, aids, devices, etc., and evaluation of training results.
• Work in the occupation or subject-matter field of the position to be filled that required training or instructing others on a regular basis.

In addition to meeting the above IOR, you must also meet the specialized experience for one of the grade levels as described below:

GS-7 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

• Knowledge of training regulations, policies, and procedures to develop training courses, aids, and devices to train a variety of staff to enhance their comprehension of program requirements.
• Knowledge of training methods, techniques, equipment, audiovisual aids and other training devices to develop, integrate, and augment training material to present to diverse audiences.
• Ability to analyze training data to develop and recommend EMS program directives and new training focuses.
• Effective training skills to propose changes and make recommendations on training methods.
• Knowledge in providing education to groups using adult learning principles, organizational learning theories, change theories, and communication techniques.
• Oral and written communication skills to effectively, concisely, clearly and logically, communicate, prepare and present curriculum material for staff.

OR,

• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement. Education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR,

• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess an equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience as described above to meet total qualification requirements for this position.

GS-9 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

• Knowledge of policy, regulations, licensing/permitting requirements, and precedent decisions governing environmental programs and waste management to ensure compliance.
• Knowledge of organizational programs, missions, and functions to provide sound advice and assistance to management on employee development.
• Knowledge of data system development to determine training needs, evaluate program effectiveness, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Ability to provide administrative support, review, evaluate, educate, and train on specific problems, projects, programs, or functions.
• Expert skills in training methods, techniques, equipment, audiovisual aids and other training devices to develop, integrate, and augment training material to present to diverse audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships to coordinate training efficiently and effectively.
• Knowledge of quality procedures as they relate to healthcare environmental sanitation and waste management operations
• Ability to analyze and produce reports for measuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of employee training requirements.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills, along with interpersonal skills for presenting training recommendations and negotiating solutions. Capable of preparing briefings and reports to promote understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations.

OR,

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree: Major Study or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. or J.D., if related. Education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Unofficial transcripts must be submitted with your application.

OR,

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess an equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience as described above to meet total qualification requirements for this position. Please Note: Transcripts must be submitted to substitute education to combine with specialized experience.

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.

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.