Clarification from the agency

Open to current, permanent employees of the VISN 9 Network ONLY and CTAP eligible.

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The incumbent shares fully in the duties, responsibilities, and authorities of the Chief, CDCE/Voluntary Service for the full scope of business for each of the interrelated lines of business, which include Voluntary Service, Philanthropic Engagement, and Partnership Solutions. Due to the cross-cutting nature of this office, the incumbent shows a comprehensive understanding of the federal government, VA and each of its Administrations, with a primary focus on VHA; to include the relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures, accrediting organizations, as well as the organizations within the agency to facilitate a systems- oriented approach to the Center's success. Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Planning and leading philanthropic activities and programs within widely dispersed locations across the healthcare system, VA Administrations and State Veterans Homes.
• Assisting in all aspects of the development, coordination, and management of the CDCE/Voluntary Service Office to include, but not limited to, planning, establishing and implementing policy; developing short and long-range program goals and objectives; and managing, evaluating, and coordinating (internal and external) resources of across the service.
• Managing and participating in the interviewing, scheduling, placement, and evaluation of volunteers.
• Conducting appropriate follow up activities to ensure both adequate supervision and assignment training are provided to the volunteers.
• Serving as the first-line supervisor and coordinator for specific volunteer programs which typically include a variety of diverse assignments.
• Ensuring that all volunteer personnel files are prepared in accordance with The Joint Commission and standards for VHA volunteers.
• Planning and executing a variety of complex internal and external special events.
• Maintaining detailed records of each event and/or program and preparing After Action Reports.
• Serving as a local subject matter expert on volunteer and donation management.
• Overseeing the implementation of the strategic and operational plans developed by the Chief, CDCE/Voluntary Service.
• Managing a positive community relations program that promotes understanding and goodwill between the facility and surrounding community and those individuals and groups who are interested in and affected by the VA.
• Overseeing sharing agreements, such as Memoranda of Agreements or Understandings, to ensure these are updated annually or per the terms of the agreement, and reflect current policies and procedures mandated by both local and national guidance.
• Responsible for fiscal management and accountability, including assisting in the preparation and ongoing monitoring of an annual operating budget.
• Providing oversight of the organization's monetary and in-kind development activities which garner resources positively impacting care and services.
• Approving requests, reconciling the financial records of control points, and authorizing users to be requestors, control point clerks, and additional control point officials.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday | 7:30 - 4:00 PM CST
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Voluntary Services Officer/PD99897S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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, 05/08/2026.

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.

• Examples of appropriate SF-50s include:
  • Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or
  • Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or
  • SF-50s at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old.

In addition to the Time-in-Grade Requirements, you must also meet specialized experience.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below.

• SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Voluntary Services Officer. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as:
  • Planning, scheduling, and executing special events involving community leaders, staff, and visitors.
  • Developing and proposing policies and innovative programs governing voluntary services.
  • Managing general post fund accounts and other financial accounts.
  • Representing a volunteer program on speaking engagements before service, fraternal, and civic organizations;
  • Making presentations for diverse audiences and varying sizes from small meetings to large conferences.

• PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
  • Experience leading volunteer programs and supervising staff in healthcare or community settings.
  • Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and coordinate diverse volunteer workforces.
  • Experience building and sustaining partnerships with VSOs, nonprofits, and community groups.

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/.

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.