The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) is seeking a Region Director in Training (RDIT) to provide strategic leadership and oversight in a defined VCS region of operations across Veterans Affairs Medical Centers & Community-Based Outpatient Clinics. The RDIT will be responsible for operations, fulfilling the VCS mission, achieving financial results, including planning, budgeting, implementation, performance evaluation, and leading initiatives that improve efficiency and overall program performance.
Summary
The Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) is seeking a Region Director in Training (RDIT) to provide strategic leadership and oversight in a defined VCS region of operations across Veterans Affairs Medical Centers & Community-Based Outpatient Clinics. The RDIT will be responsible for operations, fulfilling the VCS mission, achieving financial results, including planning, budgeting, implementation, performance evaluation, and leading initiatives that improve efficiency and overall program performance.
Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Leadership Development: Participate in a structured developmental assignment under the guidance and mentorship of experienced Region Directors. Gain hands-on experience in the key responsibilities required to lead a region successfully.
Operations & Financial Management: Develop experience overseeing daily operations, financial performance, business activities, and organizational goals across multiple locations.
Strategic Planning & Decision-Making: Build skills in strategic planning, problem-solving, critical thinking, and making business decisions that support organizational priorities.
Leadership & Staff Development: Develop leadership skills through employee coaching, staff development, performance management, and building effective teams.
Business Management: Gain experience managing business operations, identifying opportunities for improvement, and implementing strategies that improve efficiency and results.
Executive Communication & Presentations: Prepare and deliver presentations and briefings to communicate business results, operational priorities, and recommendations for leadership.
Human Resources & Workforce Management: Provide regional oversight and leadership for Human Resources activities, including staffing, recruitment, employee relations, workforce planning, and personnel actions. Supports effective staffing strategies, employee engagement, and workforce development across the region.
Performance & Organizational Strategies: Learn to monitor performance measures and apply organizational strategies to achieve business objectives and support continuous improvement.
RESUME REQUIREMENTS:
All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages to demonstrate accomplishments that satisfy the Rating Factors below:
VCS Operating Programs and Standards: Demonstrate knowledge of VCS operating programs and standards and how you have applied this knowledge to the business. Describe accomplishments reflecting your in-depth knowledge of VCS operating programs and initiatives, such as profitability, NSF scores, and inventory management.
VA/VHA Management and Risk Mitigation: Describe how you effectively interact with high-level management officials within VA/VHA and how, based on those interactions, you have mitigated risks that could impact VCS.
Associate Development: Describe how you have successfully developed and promoted associates into other roles within VCS.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Background Investigation: Will be required to obtain and maintain a Tier 4-level background investigation.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Equivalent Experience: Bachelor's degree in business administration, Retail Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience
Relevant Leadership Experience: At least two (2) years of experience managing or leading operations at the VC-15 level or above, or equivalent experience at the GS-12 level or above. Relevant private-sector experience may also be considered based on the scope, complexity, and level of responsibility.
Canteen & Business Operations: Demonstrated knowledge of business operations, including the ability to oversee day-to-day activities, identify opportunities for improvement, and make sound business decisions.
Financial Management: Strong business and financial knowledge, including the ability to understand financial reports, evaluate results, identify trends, and use financial information to support strategic planning and achieve business goals.
Revenue & Expense Management: Ability to analyze business performance, identify opportunities to increase revenue, control expenses, and develop action plans that improve financial results.
Leadership & Coaching: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and coach managers and employees, develop talent, and build high-performing teams.
Strategic Alignment: Understanding of organizational priorities and the ability to align business operations and leadership decisions with broader organizational goals and the mission of serving Veterans.
Food Safety & Compliance: ServSafe certification required (or must be obtained within 90 days of hire).
Education
Education & Equivalent Experience: Bachelor's degree in business administration, Retail Management, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience
Additional information
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Training Grade Level: Employees will remain at their current grade level throughout the developmental training assignment.
Relocation Requirement: If selected for a Region Director position following completion of the program, the employee must relocate to the designated geographic region. Eligible relocation expenses may be reimbursed in accordance with applicable Federal Travel Regulations.
Potential Promotion: Upon meeting eligibility requirements and receiving management approval, the employee may be promoted without further competition. Promotion is not guaranteed and should not be considered an assurance of future advancement.
Developmental Assignment: This is a developmental assignment lasting up to two years. During the assignment, the employee will remain in their current location and will not be required to relocate.
Post-Assignment Placement: Upon completion of the assignment, the employee may be considered for available Region Director positions. If no appropriate vacancy is available, the employee may be assigned to a canteen at their current grade and step.
Relocation & Mobility: Relocation is required upon completion of the developmental assignment if selected for a Region Director position. The employee must be willing to relocate to the geographic area identified by the Executive Director. Mobility is a condition of employment.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
Travel Requirement: Extensive travel is required and may be as frequent as 100% of the workweek during certain periods. Travel requirements will vary based on organizational needs and operational demands.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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 MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. NOTE: A formal pay-setting process will be used to determine your salary. The salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy. 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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package that includes:
Resume
The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal Employees), etc.
Most recent SF-50
Performance Appraisal
Separation Notice (RIF)
Veterans' Preference: Since the Veterans Canteen Service falls under 38 U.S.C. 7802, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified Veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/09/2026 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link, and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account, or your application will be incomplete.
VCS Central Office
1 Jefferson Barracks Drive Bldg. 25
St. Louis, MO 63125
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package that includes:
Resume
The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal Employees), etc.
Most recent SF-50
Performance Appraisal
Separation Notice (RIF)
Veterans' Preference: Since the Veterans Canteen Service falls under 38 U.S.C. 7802, traditional Veterans' Preference rules do not apply. Qualified Veterans will, however, be given full consideration for this position.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/09/2026 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select the Application Status link, and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account, or your application will be incomplete.
VCS Central Office
1 Jefferson Barracks Drive Bldg. 25
St. Louis, MO 63125
US
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
