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Summary
This Voluntary Support Specialist position supports the Center for Development and Civic Engagement by coordinating volunteer programs, philanthropic activities, and community partnerships that advance VA's mission. The role helps strengthen services for Veterans by engaging community resources and supporting key initiatives across the Columbus Ohio VA Health Care System.
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Duties
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The incumbent serves as the Voluntary Service Specialist of the facility's CDCE/Voluntary Service office reporting directly to the Chief. The incumbent has responsibilities related to 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.
Duties include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Assisting in all aspects of the development, coordination, and management of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Office and is responsible for independent management of specific programs or portions of larger programs.
• Assisting the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer in developing short and long-range plans for the accomplishment of CDCE/Voluntary Service program goals and objectives; develops and implements programs and program changes to meet the facilities' or other VA-affiliated program's needs.
• Assisting the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer in developing innovative/creative community outreach programs that provide volunteers and financial resources.
• Developing and fostering a robust network with internal and external stakeholders to build resilient working coalitions in support of the VA mission.
• Developing and delivering presentations to diverse groups within the facility and at off-site locations within the community.
• Responsible for interviewing, scheduling, placement, and evaluation of volunteers.
• Responsible for conducting appropriate follow up activities to ensure both adequate supervision and assignment training are provided.
• Resolves issues as they arise and consults with the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer if policies or procedures require review and/or revision.
• Preparing all volunteer personnel files in accordance with The Joint Commission and standards for VHA volunteers.
• Consulting with services across the health care system, agency representatives (including VHA, VBA, and NCA), and community officials to publicize, analyze, and recommend improvements for programs.
• Conducting fact-findings and analysis to recommend potential community partnerships that support and extend the mission of the facility or other affiliated VA programs across Administrations within the catchment area.
• Responsible for the coordination and management of all monetary and in-kind donations.
• Managing the day-to-day operations surrounding the organization's development activities and conducts and analyzes routine needs assessments to ensure alignment with the facility's strategic plan.
• Developing tax deductibility documentation for all donations received.
• Providing education and training to staff on the proper use of donation expenditures, restricted purchases and procurement requirements.
• Plans and executes a variety of complex internal and external special events, including VISN-wide and national events where the local facility is a key host or sponsor, or responsible for securing major monetary or in-kind donations and volunteer support.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level 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: Monday through Friday; 7:30am. to 4:00pm.
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Voluntary Services Specialist/PD99598S, PD99599S, and PD99853S
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
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• 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.
• 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 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, 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, 08/31/2026.
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-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05.For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07.For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09.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.
GS-07:

• Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Voluntary Services Specialist. Qualifying specialized experience includes experience working for a company, organization, or department specializing in volunteer and/or philanthropic activities; communicating with individuals and groups in community; performing technical program development for a specialized program; performing record keeping and recognition of a volunteer and/or philanthropic program; and applying a high level of expertise in identifying special skills and attitudes necessary for sensitive assignments. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have completed one (1) full year of graduate level education that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. (2) NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR,
• Combination: Have equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education beyond a bachelor's degree may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-07 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

GS-09:

• Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-7) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped me with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Voluntary Services Specialist. Qualifying specialized experience planning, supervising, and coordinating volunteers of a volunteer program; evaluating and monitoring the effectiveness of a specialized program and devising new methods for improvement; effectively recruiting, interviewing, and evaluating prospective employees/volunteers in order to appropriately utilize their talents and interests; utilizing interpersonal communication skill to foster effective working relationships with others; and familiar with a wide variety of principles and practices to evaluate program trends. OR,
• Education: Have successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or masters or equivalent graduate degree, or LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR,
• Combination: Have equivalent combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience directly related to the work of the position as outlined above that meets the requirements of the position. Only education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

GS-11:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Planning, evaluating, and coordinating the day-to-day activities of a volunteer program that includes various areas of needed coverage; using creative community outreach to secure volunteers and financial resources; and acceptance of gifts and donations and their acknowledgement and deposit into a general account fund or delivery to proper utilizing service. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related; OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a master's or equivalent graduate education. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:
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