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Voluntary Services Officer

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Chalmers P Wylie ACC Columbus, Ohio

Summary

The incumbent serves as Voluntary Service Officer (VSO) with full delegated authority and responsibility for developing, managing, and administering a large, comprehensive voluntary services program within the VA Central Ohio Health Care System (VACOHCS). This position is located in the Office of the Associate Director, at the VA Central Ohio Health Care System. The area of oversight includes the main ambulatory care center, as well as five outpatient clinics throughout the state of Ohio.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/25/2026 to 03/04/2026
Salary
$93,400 to - $121,422 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Columbus, OH
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—Ad-Hoc, per agency need; as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
CBSR-12893633-26-BN
Control number
859057000

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Duties

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Program Oversight
The incumbent serves as the Voluntary Service Officer (VSO) with full delegated authority and responsibility for designing and implementing a voluntary services program that meets the needs of a complex VA healthcare delivery system. This includes planning, establishing and implementing policy; developing program goals and objectives; managing the gifts and donations program; resolving sensitive and complex situations; coordinating with (internal and external) sources to establish and maintain effective relationships; and has responsibility for the operation, coordination, and evaluation of the facility VA Voluntary Service (VAVS) program. The VSO develops short and long-range plans for the accomplishment of the VAVS program goals and objectives; develops and implements programs and program changes that impact the ability to meet the medical center's needs; develops innovative and creative community outreach programs that provide volunteers as well as financial resources to the facility.

Staffing
The VSO serves as full advisor to top management on the VAVS program. The incumbent takes a proactive role in meeting the voluntary service needs of the hospital and affiliated satellite clinics and establishes a vital link with the community. The incumbent assumes full authority for the promotion, recruitment, and recognition of volunteers; evaluates staff requests for volunteers; develops a formal orientation, education, and/or training programs for both volunteers and utilizing services; and identifies/obtains resources.

Technical and Administrative Supervision
Incumbent provides direct technical and administrative supervision to the VA Central Ohio Health Care System Voluntary Service Staff: Two Voluntary Service Specialist (GS-09), two Program Support assistants (GS-7 and GS-6), One Information Receptionist ( GS-4) and one Motor Vehicle Operator (WG-5). This responsibility includes development of performance standards, writing position descriptions, evaluating work performance, counseling of employees whose performance is marginal or unsatisfactory, and initiating disciplinary actions when necessary. Hears and resolves complaints from employees. Plans and assigns work to be accomplished by subordinates; sets short and long-term goals; assigns work based on priorities; approves leave, instructs employees on work and administrative matters. Initiates recruitment actions, interviews and selects new employees. Obtains resources for continuing education of employees and determines their training needs.

Committee Duties
The VSO serves as Deputy Chairperson of the facility Committee and provides information about the medical center and the VAVS program to various VACOHCS. representatives and deputy representatives from affiliated veteran's service organizations, civic groups, and local community organizations. Provides orientation and training to newly appointed VAVS representatives and deputy representatives. The VSO establishes and maintains relationships with the members of the committee for the purposes of motivating increased attendance and participation at the committee meetings, as well as for increasing volunteer involvement in hospital programs. Conducts Annual Joint Reviews with the representatives from the VACOHS Committee organizations. Arranges official visits from national, state and local organizations.

Expenditure/Purchase Approval
The VSO, as a designee of the Medical Center Director, is the sole employee authorized to accept or reject offers of gifts and donations for this facility in accordance with established procedures and regulations. Ensures gifts and donations are accepted, recorded and disbursed appropriately according to VA policy. The incumbent is the approving official for expenditures/purchases for general post fund accounts.

Program Development
Has sole responsibility for developing and implementing a wide range of programs and services within the VACOHS program, including volunteer recognition ceremonies and awards programs, volunteer recruitment fairs, student volunteer programs, community outreach activities, special events, recruitment presentations, official visits/tours, and fundraisers. Manages, plans, and coordinates all aspects of National Salute to Veterans Week, Memorial Day, Flag Day, POW/MIA Program, Veterans Day Program, VACOHS Holiday visits and gift distribution, and National Volunteer Week, etc.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: This position authorized for Ad-Hoc (per agency) telework.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Voluntary Services Officer/PD99897S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • 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, 03/04/2026.

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-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. 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.

Specialized Experience: Must have at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal Service, which equipped you with the competencies required to successfully perform the duties of the position which include but are not limited to; Advanced knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques and methods of voluntary services; advanced knowledge and skill in applying principles, practices, techniques and methods of oral and written communication, analytical methods, and interpersonal relations practices; knowledge and skill necessary to develop an awareness in the community of the medical centers' mission; knowledge of Medical Center programs, policies and activities to present this information accurately to employees, the media and the community, and to make the judgments necessary for a balanced presentation of information; knowledge of how to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide variety of individuals to be effective in obtaining support for program implementation and maintenance; knowledge of applicable laws and regulations governing the General Post Fund and donations and gifts sufficient to secure funding without violating laws, or regulations, knowledge of veterans programs and experience working with veteran service organizations.

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

  • Financial Management
  • Managing Human Resources
  • Partnering
  • Planning and Evaluating


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: Work is moderately sedentary, although considerably variable. It requires a fair amount of standing, sometimes for long periods, walking, climbing stairs, and bending. Work may require some heavy to moderate lifting, transporting of materials, equipment and supplies for special events and other programs. Due to the diverse nature and scope of the work, it may require occasionally working in extreme temperatures (hot or cold).

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

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.


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

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.

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.

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.

If you are required to submit a financial disclosure report, as noted in the announcement for your position, you must do so within 30 days after you begin employment. Your HR office will notify an Ethics Specialty Team (EST) paralegal upon your arrival, and the paralegal will provide you with instructions on how to file your report. To ensure timely and accurate processing of your report, please review the guidance provided by the EST paralegal.

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