Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. This job is open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens.

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Major Duties at the Full Performance Level

• Instructs classes demonstrating appropriate adaptations and modifications using cues to ensure safety, appropriate alignment, and props as needed to participants in individual and group classes, as appropriate for physical, mental or behavioral well-being.
• Conducts engaging individual and group well-being classes for the purpose of promoting, preserving or restoring health and well-being and supports participants in achieving their goals.
• Independently prepare class sequences such as grounding, warm up, cool down, physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation or relaxation appropriate for the type of class and the ability of participants while ensuring safe movement.
• Use English terminology of postures and trauma sensitive language to provide clear, simple verbal and visual cues and instructions to guide participants with alignment and modifications.
• Ensures safety protocols are followed for sanitizing, setting up and maintaining yoga space.
• Ensures props and reusable medical equipment are in safe working condition, stored in an organized manner and are available to support scheduled events and activities.
• Recognizes and communicates concerns to the supervisor and appropriate health care team to ensure individual and group safety.
• Conducts regular inspections of equipment.
• Use technologyand equipment to provide virtual instruction.
• May serve as a mentor to lower-level Yoga Instructor trainees/volunteers as needed. Yoga Instructors collaborate with the health care team in the development and integration of movement into a Veteran's personal health plan.
• Uses appropriate notes in the electronic medical record to document progress, communicates with providers and utilizes appropriate coding and tracking of the services.
• May develop patient and provider facing educational and marketing materials on the benefits of yoga, assist with promotional efforts and encourage participation in yoga classes, special events and community programs.
• Keeps up to date with VHA and professional trainings, as well as attends required professional and facility level meetings.

Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm or 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 99340-S and 99343-S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use 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.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 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 trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship - Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency - In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Registration or Certification - Must possess one of the following:
• Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher 200 or 500 (E-RYT 200 or E-RYT-500) registration with Yoga Alliance.
• International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) certification (C-IAYT).
• RYT 200 or RYT 500 registration with Yoga Alliance (GS-05 only).

NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All individuals currently employed in VHA as a Yoga Instructor providing yoga instruction under a permanent, appropriate and legal placement on the effective date of this qualification standard (2/21/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including registration requirements.

Grade Determinations. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you meet the following grade level requirements:

GS-05 Yoga Instructor - To qualify for the GS-05 level, you must possess at least three months of creditable experience gained after completing a minimum 200-hour yoga teaching training program that demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of virtual platforms to provide virtual instruction.
• Skill in adapting yoga practices to meet participant needs (e.g., chair yoga, props).
• Skill in teaching yoga practices to include poses, breathing and mindfulness.
• Ability to communicate instructions using verbal and visual cues to guide participants in a group setting.
• Ability to maintain a safe yoga environment.
• Ability to communicate participants' needs with appropriate professionals to ensure individual and group safety.
• Ability to utilize software to document participation in an electronic record.
• Ability to create a schedule of classes.

GS-06 Yoga Instructor - To qualify for the GS-06 level, you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) that includes applying a basic knowledge of adapting yoga practices to individual participants in group classes as appropriate for physical, mental or behavioral health conditions; using English terminology of postures and trauma sensitive language; instructing classes demonstrating appropriate adaptation and modification using cues to ensure safety, appropriate alignment and props as needed; preparing class sequence such as grounding, warm up, cool down, physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation or relaxation appropriate for the type of class and the ability of participants to ensure safe movement; and, ensuring safety protocols are followed for sanitizing, setting up and maintaining yoga space that demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Skill in adapting yoga practices for a variety of participants and conditions.
• Skill in conducting group and individual classes that support participant goals.
• Skill in sequencing classes to ensure the safety of participants.
• Ability to provide yoga instruction in health care settings.
• Ability to conduct equipment inspections to initiate work orders.
• Ability to serve as a mentor to other instructors.
• Ability to collaborate with members of a health care team to integrate movement into a personal health plan.
• Ability to use technology to provide virtual instruction.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

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, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

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.

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.